METRO

Props to Red Line Metro Driver

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user philliefan99

“Dear PoPville,

Last night, heading North on the Red Line (towards Grosvenor, etc.), I had the best driver I’ve ever had during a Metro problem (the person struck by a train at Bethesda). My driver, who hopefully can be identified by the fact that we were heading north and arrived at Friendship at approximately 6:04 pm, was outstanding in terms of clearly, audibly and regularly telling his passengers what was happening, what would happen and when things changed. He was clear, sufficiently loud, made regular announcements and provided us with the best information I have ever received during an incident. (I ride the Red line twice a day, every week day, so I have had my share of incidents.) I hope hears how much his hard work was appreciated – I’ve submitted a comment to Metro, but wanted to post it here, as well. Thank you.”

Silver Line Route now on Metro Maps

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

I saw this on the train on my way home from work on Friday. Surprised to see it officially posted already, especially since the Silver Line doesn’t open for a while yet. Any idea why Metro would already be putting these up?”

Readers first started spotting silver line signage back in January. But since they are shooting for a summer opening and last week “Metro took control of the first phase of the Silver Line…Metro has up to 90 days for testing and training prior to opening the line for passenger service this summer.”

So I guess better early than late. Or maybe – if you will it, it is no dream…?

This Weekend’s Metro Track Work

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user JEO Photography

From WMATA:

“Red Line
Trains every 8-15 minutes

Red Line trains will operate as follows from 10 p.m. Friday through closing Sunday:

Between Shady Grove & Glenmont: Every 15 minutes throughout the weekend
Between Van Ness & NoMa-Gallaudet: Every 8-10 minutes from 9AM-9PM only

Work Performed: Insulator and fastener renewal, and fence and light pole replacement between NoMa-Gallaudet and Rhode Island Avenue; floating slab rehabilitation between Van Ness and Friendship Heights. (more…)

Shaw Metro 8:50 am “Attention, there is an emergency in the metro station. Please evacuate the station immediately”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Rich Renomeron

“Dear PoPville,

I know it’s a little late to mention, but a funny thing happened on the metro this morning and I was wondering if you had heard of anything like it before. It was about 8:50 am in the Shaw metro station and all of a sudden the usual announcements stopped and there was another announcement, something along the lines of: “Attention, there is an emergency in the metro station. Please evacuate the station immediately”. The people I was sitting near and I all looked up at each other and then around, surprised. It was strange because half the people in the station didn’t even seem to hear it because they had headphones in or were on their phones. The train was coming in two minutes, and not one person actually headed for the escalators to leave (myself and the people around me included). We stood there looking around, waiting for another announcement or for the station manager to come say something, but nothing happened. They were even still letting people into the station. Following this, the train arrived and we got on the train and it went on its way as normal.

I’ve never had this happen before, and it was surprising in two ways: 1) Metro’s lack of follow-up after the announcement and 2) the fact that an announcement like that was so easily not heard or ignored by most in the station. Do you have any idea what could have caused this? The whole situation was definitely very uncomfortable.”

Man Who Designed Iconic Metro Signage (and lots more), Massimo Vignelli, Passes Away

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Glyn Lowe Photoworks.

Thanks to a reader for sending the link RIP Massimo Vignelli: The Iconic Designer Who Shaped a Century:

“Vignelli designed porcelain enamel pylons which would include all the relevant information and complement the look of the platforms. In addition to the signage, it was Vignelli who suggested they name it simply the “Metro” instead of a string of acronyms.”

You can read more about Vignelli’s life here.

This Weekend’s Metro Track Work

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user vpickering

From WMATA:

Red Line
Trains every 10-20 minutes

Red Line trains will operate as follows from 10 p.m. Friday through closing Monday:

Between Shady Grove & Glenmont: Every 20 minutes throughout the weekend
Between Shady Grove & NoMa-Gallaudet: Every 10 minutes from 9AM-9PM only

Work Performed:Crews will perform insulator and fastener renewal along with fence and light pole replacement between NoMa-Gallaudet and Fort Totten

Orange Line
Regular weekend service

Orange Line trains will operate every 12-15 minutes throughout the weekend.

Work Performed: Rail, tie and insulator renewal between East Falls Church and West Falls Church

Blue Line
Regular weekend service EXCEPT at Franconia-Springfield; Buses replace trains between Franconia-Springfield & Van Dorn Street

From 10 p.m. Friday through closing Monday:

Blue Line trains will run between Largo Town Center and Van Dorn Street at regular weekend intervals.
Free shuttle buses will replace trains between Van Dorn Street & Franconia-Springfield. Please allow an additional 10 minutes of travel time.

Station Closed: Franconia-Springfield

Work Performed: Switch replacement and rail joint elimination

Yellow Line
Regular weekend service between Huntington and Fort Totten

Green Line
Regular service EXCEPT Saturday during daytime hours at Greenbelt Station only

On Saturday, Green Line trains will operate:

Between College Park & Branch Ave at regular weekend intervals (every 12 minutes 9AM-9PM)
At Greenbelt Station only, trains will arrive and depart every 24 minutes between 9AM-9PM

Regular weekend service on Sunday and Monday.

Work Performed: Ongoing construction of new 7000-series test track

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2014, Metro will operate on the following schedules:

• Metrorail: The rail system will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight. Trains will operate on a Sunday schedule. Off-peak fares will be in effect all day, and parking will be free at all Metrorail parking facilities.
• Metrobus: Most buses will operate on a Sunday schedule. Check bus timetables for details.”

Props to Metro Transit Police – Overall crime rate down by 31% in 1st Quarter of 2014

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user vpickering

From WMATA:

“Metro’s security report for the first quarter of 2014 shows the overall crime rate is down by 31 percent, driven primarily by a significant reduction of three major crimes: robberies, snatches of electronic devices, and bicycle thefts. The report will be presented this morning to the Metro Board Safety & Security Committee by Metro Transit Police (MTPD) Chief Ron Pavlik.

Among the highlights:
• Snatches of electronic devices were reduced by 42 percent (137 to 79 crimes) in the first quarter, as compared to the same period last year.
• Bicycle thefts were reduced by more than half (56 percent), from 45 crimes in the first quarter of 2013 to 20 stolen bicycles this year. The reduction is credited to increased customer awareness, prevention programs including free U-lock giveaways, online bike registration, improved intelligence sharing, and undercover investigations.
• A 55 percent reduction in robbery (121 to 55 crimes).”

You can read the full report here:

Metro_Security_Report (PDF)

Not Freaking Cool

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

I saw this on the metro on my commute home last night. Come on, man!! I’d be interested to hear WMATA’s response and to learn when and how this was cleaned up. Not a pretty site to see at rush hour on the red line!”

Ed. Note: For all of metro’s faults – I don’t think it’s fair to blame them for this. I’m sure they were just as pissed off as you were. Some people can be truly inconsiderate and that’s who deserves the blame here – the entitled jerk who did this.

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