METRO

Van Ness Metro Gets their New and Improved Escalators Back Tomorrow

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user thisisbossi

From WMATA:

“Tomorrow, Metro will introduce the system’s two newest escalators at Van Ness Station, the tenth and eleventh new escalators to be installed under the Metro Forward rebuilding program.

The two new escalators serve the entrance of Van Ness Station on the east side of Connecticut Ave and replace outdated units that were installed when the station first opened in 1981. The reliability of the original units had decreased dramatically over time and as such, Metro engineers determined that a full replacement of the escalators was necessary.

The Van Ness project marks the first two escalators under a contract with KONE Corporation to fully replace up to 128 escalators by 2020. New escalators are currently being installed at five stations: Georgia Ave, Columbia Heights, Bethesda, Friendship Heights and Mt Vernon Square.

Under Metro Forward, new escalators have already been installed at Foggy Bottom (3), Dupont Circle (3), and Pentagon (3).

In addition to the escalator replacement projects, Metro has already “rehabilitated” to “like new” condition more than 100 escalators across the system under Metro Forward. Rehabilitation projects result in the replacement of all critical parts, including the escalator’s steps, handrails, motors, controllers, chains, and other moving parts.

As a result of the replacement and rehabilitation efforts, combined with an enhanced maintenance regimen, Metro has achieved some of the highest escalator availability scores in recent memory. Availability averaged 92.2% in 2013, up 3 percent from the prior year, and the best performance since 2010.”

Sexist Metro Ads Still Up at L’Enfant Plaza

By Prince Of Petworth

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Thanks to a reader for sending:

“It’s at L’Enfant. How in the world did metro think this was a smart thing to put up??”

In early Dec. the Post reported:

Lynn Bowersox, Metro’s assistant general manager for customer service, communications and marketing, defended the ad and claimed responsibility for the communications campaign the ad is part of. She called the campaign a “series of unlikely conversations between friends and colleagues” about improvements at Metro.

Despite the defense I can’t believe the ads are still posted given the negative reaction. The reader sent the photo above on Friday from inside the L’Enfant Plaza metro station.

This Weekend’s Metro Track Work – Greenbelt Closed

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Miki J.

From WMATA:

“Red Line 10 p.m. Fri, Mar. 14 through closing Sun, Mar. 16
Trains every 8-16 minutes

Red Line trains will operate as follows:

Between Shady Grove & Glenmont: Every 16 minutes throughout the weekend
Between Farragut North & Silver Spring: Every 10 minutes from 9AM-9PM only

Work Performed: Rail fastener renewal, rail joint elimination, and infrastructure improvements between Van Ness and Friendship Heights; rail fastener renewal and track joint elimination between Dupont Circle & Van Ness.

Orange Line
Regular weekend service

Blue Line Sat., Mar. 15
Regular service EXCEPT Saturday at Franconia-Springfield station only

On Saturday, Blue Line trains will operate:

Between Largo Town Center & Van Dorn Street stations at regular Saturday intervals (every 12 minutes)
At Franconia-Springfield Station only, trains will arrive and depart every 20-25 minutes between 9AM-9PM

Regular weekend service on Sunday.

Work Performed: Improvements to track infrastructure – including rail joint elimination and fastener renewal – between Van Dorn Street & Franconia-Springfield stations.

Yellow Line
Regular weekend service between Huntington & Fort Totten

Green Line Sat, Mar. 15 through closing Sun, Mar. 16
Regular service EXCEPT buses replace trains at Greenbelt Station only

Free shuttle buses will replace Green Line trains between Greenbelt and College Park. Riders using shuttle bus service should allow about 15 minutes of travel time.

Green Line trains will operate at normal weekend intervals between College Park and Branch Ave throughout the weekend. Normal intervals are every 12-20 minutes.

Station Closed: Greenbelt

Work Performed: Continued construction of a new test track located between College Park and Greenbelt to accept Metro’s new fleet of 7000-series railcars.

Man in Critical Condition after Fight on Green Line Last Night, Metro Police Seek Witness Info

By Prince Of Petworth

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From WMATA:

“The Metro Transit Police Department is looking for information regarding an altercation that has left one subject seriously injured.

On Friday, March 7, while aboard a Green Line train traveling between Greenbelt and Fort Totten between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m., the below pictured subjects were involved in a physical altercation.

Transit Police boarded the train at Fort Totten to find one of the men with serious injuries. The other man was not aboard the train. The injured man was transported to a local hospital where he is in critical condition.

Detectives are seeking information from anyone who may have been aboard the train and witnessed the altercation. Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is urged to call Metro Transit Police at (202) 962-2121 and reference case 2014-11573.”

UPDATE:

“This evening, Metro Transit Police (MTPD) charged Dionte DANIELS, 22, of Glenarden, Md. with attempted second degree murder, assault and reckless endangerment in connection with an incident that occurred last night aboard a southbound Green Line train.

The assault took place shortly after 9:30 p.m. while the train was traveling in Prince George’s County between Greenbelt and Fort Totten stations. When MTPD officers boarded the train at Fort Totten, they found a 46-year-old male victim unconscious with life threatening injuries. He was transported to an area hospital where he remains in critical condition this evening.

A suspect description and photo was broadcast to MTPD officers throughout the Metrorail system, and a man matching the description was taken into custody a short time later at L’Enfant Plaza Station. That subject was subsequently identified as Dionte DANIELS and an arrest warrant was obtained for the charges related to the Green Line incident.

MTPD detectives continue to seek information from anyone who may have witnessed the incident. Anyone with information is urged to call (202) 962-2121 and reference case 2014-11573.”

This Weekend’s Metro Track Work – Metro Center Closed (and don’t forget Daylight Saving Time)

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Beau Finley

Don’t forget Daylight Saving Time will push clocks forward an hour Sunday night – From WMATA:

“Red Line
Regular weekend service; trains will bypass Metro Center

Red Line trains will run on a regular weekend schedule throughout the weekend.

Metro Center closed this weekend: On Saturday and Sunday, Metro Center Station will be closed to allow for signage and lighting upgrades. All Red, Orange and Blue line trains will pass through the station without stopping. Free shuttle buses will operate between Federal Triangle, Metro Center and Gallery Place.

Last Train Information: Red Line trains will depart stations at their normal times. Exit at Gallery Place and use free shuttle bus service to Federal Triangle for transfers to the Orange or Blue lines. (more…)

Major Delays on Green Line

By Prince Of Petworth

From @WMATA:

“Green Line: Single tracking btwn L’Enfant & Navy Yard due to a person struck by a train at Waterfront. Expect delays in both directions.

Green Line: Greenbelt trains are bypassing Waterfront & L’Enfant. Transfer to a Branch Av train at Archives for service to these stations.

Green Line: Consider Red Line as alternate btwn Gallery Place & Fort Totten. Person struck by train at Waterfront.”

Dear PoPville – What’s Up with the Water Leak at the Petworth Metro?

By Prince Of Petworth

Petworth Metro Leak

“Dear PoPville,

A small mystery in the Petworth metro. In the tunnel under Georgia Ave that is part of the entrance to the Petworth Metro Station there is always water covering a large portion of the floor. At first, I thought its was due to people tracking in snow, but over time its become apparent that its some sort of perpetual leak. The floor tiles get pretty slick when wet. Any information on plans for repair?”

Daylights Saving Time is this Weekend – Remember When Riding Metro

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user wolfpackWX

From WMATA:

“Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend, meaning late-night riders should pay special attention to last train times.

At 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9, all clocks will be moved ahead one hour. When that happens, it will become 3 a.m. EDT (new time) and the Metrorail system will close.

The last trains of the night will move through stations between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. EST (old time).

Riders get an extra hour of service in November when the time “falls back” from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m.”

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