METRO

Photo by PoPville flickr user zoeicaimages

From WMATA:

“Red Line 10 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1 through closing Sun, Nov. 3
Trains every 8 to 16 minutes

Red Line trains will operate as follows:

Between Shady Grove & Glenmont: Every 16 minutes throughout the weekend
Additional trains between Grosvenor & Silver Spring: Every 8 minutes 9AM-9PM

Work Performed: Crews will replace wooden ties, improve third-rail infrastructure and improve track conditions between Twinbrook and Grosvenor stations.

Orange Line 10 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1 through closing Sun, Nov. 3
Buses replace trains between Federal Triangle & Eastern Market

Orange Line trains will operate as follows:

Between Vienna & Federal Triangle: Every 15 minutes throughout the weekend
Between New Carrollton & Eastern Market: Every 15 minutes throughout the weekend

Free shuttle buses will replace Blue/Orange trains between Federal Triangle & Eastern Market stations. Shuttle buses will operate on two routes:

Express buses will run between Federal Triangle and Eastern Market with no intermediate stops. Allow 15 minutes for express bus service.
Local buses will run between Federal Triangle and Eastern Market with intermediate stops at Smithsonian, L’Enfant Plaza, Federal Center SW and Capitol South. Allow 8 minutes of travel time for each stop. For example, a rider traveling between L’Enfant Plaza and Federal Triangle should allow 16 minutes because the bus makes two stops.

Stations Closed: Smithsonian, Federal Center SW, Capitol South (L’Enfant Plaza open for Green & Yellow line service only)

Work Performed: Tunnel repairs, station dome repairs, track infrastructure improvements, fastener replacement, joint elimination, drain cleaning, signage installation. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Raymond Bryson

From WMATA:

“Red Line 10 p.m. Fri., Sept. 20 through closing Sun., Sept. 22
Trains every 24 minutes with additional trains between Dupont Circle & Fort Totten

Red Line trains will operate as follows:

Between Shady Grove & Glenmont: Every 24 minutes throughout the weekend
Additional trains between Dupont Circle & Fort Totten: Every 12 minutes 9AM-9PM

Work Performed: Between Dupont Circle and Van Ness, crews will mitigate tunnel leaks and repair catwalks. Between Forest Glen and Takoma, crews will perform track insulator, tie and fastener renewal, in addition to tunnel leak mitigation.

Orange Line 10 p.m. Fri., Sept. 20 through closing Sun, Sept. 22
Trains every 24 minutes

Orange Line trains will operate as follows:

Between Vienna & New Carrollton: Every 24 minutes throughout the weekend

Work Performed: Crews will continue platform reconstruction work at Deanwood and Minnesota Ave stations, as well as track maintenance, fastener renewal, and grout pad rehabilitation between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly. In addition, rail joint elimination for a smoother ride will take place between Ballston and East Falls Church.

Blue Line Regular service; no scheduled work
Yellow Line Regular service between Huntington & Fort Totten
Green Line Regular service; no scheduled work”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Nikoo’s Photos

“Dear PoPville,

Does Metro officially acknowledge the “walk to the left stand to the right” escalator policy anywhere? If so, where? If not, they need to… That is all.”

We had a lengthy discussion about this last summer. Metro believes it is a safety issue:

“WMATA does not encourage walking or running on escalators. The majority of escalator-related accidents occur when customers walk or run on escalators. Standing is the safest way to ride an escalator. We regret the inconvenience caused by customers who may block the escalator passageway; however, for your safety and the safety of all customers, we ask customers to refrain from walking or running on our escalators.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From WMATA:

“The cost of a new SmarTrip card will drop to $2 on October 1, making the reusable, reloadable, more convenient fare payment option available to even more people. Riders purchasing a SmarTrip card at a Metrorail station vending machine or CVS store will still pay $10, but the card will come loaded with $8 in value rather than $5 today. Riders will be able purchase a card for $2 with no pre-loaded value at any Metro Sales Office or commuter store and selected Giant and Safeway stores.

To facilitate the lower price, effective October 1, riders will no longer be able to exit the Metrorail system with a negative balance of $1.50 or more. Anyone whose SmarTrip balance is lower than negative $1.50 will be directed to the Exitfare machines inside the station to add more value to the card. Exitfare machines accept cash only ($1, $5 and $10 bills); they do not accept debit or credit cards.

Metro has upgraded Exitfare machines at all stations to allow for SmarTrip transactions.

In advance of this change, Metro is encouraging all SmarTrip users to sign up for Auto Reload, the “set it and forget it” feature that automatically adds value to the card whenever the balance drops below $10. For more information, visit wmata.com/autoreload.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From WMATA:

“More Metro escalators are in service and available for riders than at any point in nearly five years, the Authority will report Thursday in its Vital Signs presentation to the Board of Directors. The improvement is largely attributable to the major “Metro Forward” rehabilitation effort that has been underway for more than two years.

“This is what Metro Forward is all about: delivering more reliable service and significantly improved escalator availablity our riders,” said Metro General Manager Richard Sarles.

For the 2nd quarter of the year (April through June), Metro achieved an availability score of 91.9 percent — meaning that more than nine of every ten of the system’s 588 escalators were in service during operating hours.

Metro has taken a number of steps to improve the safety and reliability of its escalator fleet, which is the largest of any transit agency in North America and includes the longest escalators in the Western Hemisphere. Specifically:
• 89 escalators have been rehabilitated since 2011, a process that replaces the motor, steps, control system, handrails, drive chain and all other major parts resulting in a “like new” unit.
• 18 new escalator mechanics were hired this fiscal year to ensure that preventive maintenance is done on schedule.
• 97 percent of preventive maintenance was completed on time in the second quarter, as compared to 90 percent in Q2-2012 and 40 percent in Q2-2011.
• Strategic use of contractor services to augment in-house staff and achieve faster response times.
• Increased use of remote monitoring technology.

Within months, Metro will begin full replacement of an additional 128 escalators across the system. Already, Metro has fully replaced six escalators under the Metro Forward rebuilding program, and three more units are currently being installed at Pentagon Station.”

From WMATA:

“Red Line 10 p.m. Fri., Sept. 6 through closing Sun., Sept. 8
Buses replace trains between Rhode Island Ave & Judiciary Square

Red Line trains will operate:

Between Shady Grove & Judiciary Square: Every 10 minutes 9AM-9PM and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
Between Glenmont & Rhode Island Ave: Every 10 minutes 9AM-9PM and at regular weekend intervals at other times.

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Rhode Island Ave and Judiciary Square to allow for reconstruction. Shuttle buses will operate on two routes:

Express Buses will operate non-stop between Rhode Island Ave and Judiciary Square. Add about 15 minutes of travel time.

Local Buses will operate between Rhode Island Ave and Judiciary Square, making intermediate stops at NoMa-Gallaudet and Union Station. Please allow 10 minutes of travel time for each station stop. For example, a rider traveling between NoMa and Judiciary Square should allow 20 minutes of travel time, because the bus makes two stops.

Stations Closed: NoMa-Gallaudet, Union Station

Work Performed: Crews will replace wooden ties, renew third-rail infrastructure, rehabilitate concrete structures, and begin winter weather preparations.

Change to Last Train Times: The last Red Line train of the night from Glenmont to Rhode Island Ave will depart 30 minutes earlier than normal to allow for shuttle bus connections. On Friday and Saturday nights, the last train will leave Glenmont at 2:07 a.m., and on Sunday, the last train will leave Glenmont at 11:07 p.m. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user beaufinley

Update from WMATA regarding last night’s derailment:

“As of 1:35 p.m., Metro has restored normal Red Line service between Fort Totten and NoMa-Gallaudet stations. No residual delays are expected.

The restoration of service follows hours of repairs and comprehensive testing of equipment following an overnight derailment of a non-passenger train between Rhode Island Ave and Brookland stations. There were no passengers aboard the train and no injuries.”

From WMATA regarding this weekend’s track work:

“Red Line 10 p.m. Fri., Aug. 30 through closing Mon, Sept. 2
Buses replace trains between Forest Glen & Rhode Island Ave

Red Line trains will operate as follows:

Between Shady Grove & Rhode Island Ave: Every 10 minutes 9AM-9PM and at regular weekend intervals at other times.
Between Glenmont & Forest Glen: Every 10 minutes 9AM-9PM and at regular weekend intervals at other times.

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Forest Glen and Rhode Island Ave to allow for reconstruction. Shuttle buses will operate on two routes:

Limited Stop Buses will operate between Forest Glen and Rhode Island Ave with a single intermediate stop at Silver Spring. Allow 12 minutes of travel time between Forest Glen and Silver Spring. Allow 25 minutes of travel time between Silver Spring and Rhode Island Ave.
Local Buses will operate between Forest Glen and Rhode Island Ave making stops at all intermediate stations (Silver Spring, Takoma, Fort Totten, Brookland). Please allow 10 minutes of travel time for each station stop. For example, a rider traveling between Silver Spring and Fort Totten should allow 20 minutes of travel time, because the bus makes two stops.

Stations Closed: Silver Spring, Takoma, Brookland (Fort Totten open for Green & Yellow lines only)

Work Performed: Crews will make improvements to third-rail infrastructure, install cable for Emergency Trip Stations, perform concrete repair work and continue platform reconstruction.

Change to Last Train Times: The last Red Line train of the night from Glenmont to Forest Glen will depart 53 minutes earlier than normal to allow for shuttle bus connections. On Friday and Saturday nights, the last train will leave Glenmont at 1:44 a.m., and on Sunday and Monday, the last train will leave Glenmont at 10:44 p.m. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user Eric Spiegel

From WMATA:

“Red Line 10 p.m. Fri., July 26 through closing Sun., July 28
Trains every 16 minutes between Shady Grove & Glenmont

Red Line trains will operate as follows:

Between Shady Grove & Glenmont: Every 16 minutes throughout the weekend.
Additional trains between Van Ness & Silver Spring: Service every 10 minutes 9:30AM-6:30PM

Work Performed: Between Van Ness and Friendship Heights, crews will rehabilitate third-rail systems, eliminate joints in the rail, repair drains, mitigate leaks, clean drains and remove standing water.

Orange Line 10 p.m. Fri., July 26 through closing Sun., July 28
Buses replace trains between Vienna & Ballston; normal service elsewhere

Orange Line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals between New Carrollton and Ballston throughout the weekend. (Regular intervals are every 12 minutes during daytime hours, and every 15-20 minutes at other times.)

Free shuttle buses will replace Orange Line trains between Vienna and Ballston.

Express buses will operate non-stop between Vienna and Ballston. Please allow 25 minutes of travel time.
Local buses will operate between Vienna and Ballston with intermediate stops at Dunn Loring, West Falls Church and East Falls Church. Riders should add 15 minutes of travel time for each station stop. For example, a passenger traveling from West Falls Church to Ballston should add 30 minutes of travel time, because the bus makes two stops.

Stations closed: Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church, East Falls Church

Work Performed: Crews will perform necessary switch and signal testing for the new Silver Line, as well as tamping, ballast work, tie and insulator renewal, third-rail maintenance and rail de-stressing. (more…)

Photo by PoPville flickr user jacquesofalltrades

From WMATA:

Red Line 10 p.m. Fri., June 28 through closing Sun., June 30
Trains every 20 minutes between Shady Grove & Glenmont

Red Line trains will operate as follows:

Between Shady Grove & Glenmont: Every 20 minutes throughout the weekend.
Additional trains between Shady Grove & Farragut North: Service every 10 minutes 9AM-9PM
Additional trains between Glenmont & Judiciary Square: Service every 10 minutes 9AM-9PM

Work Performed: Crews will rehabilitate ceiling tiles on station platforms and install upgraded communication equipment.

Orange Line 10 p.m. Fri., June 28 through closing Sun., June 30
Trains every 24 minutes

Orange Line trains will operate every 24 minutes throughout the weekend.

Work Performed: Crews will perform rail joint elimination on the inbound track between East Falls Church and Ballston, and continue platform reconstruction work between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly.

Blue Line 10 p.m. Fri., June 28 through closing Sun., June 30
Trains every 24 minutes

Blue Line trains will operate every 24 minutes throughout the weekend.

Work Performed: Technicians will advance NTSB-recommended track circuit module replacement between Pentagon City and Arlington Cemetery.

Yellow Line 10 p.m. Fri., June 28 through closing Sun., June 30
Trains every 24 minutes

Yellow Line trains will operate every 24 minutes between Huntington & Mt Vernon Sq throughout the weekend. If traveling to/from stations north of Mt Vernon Sq, use a Green Line train to complete your trip.

Work Performed: Technicians will advance NTSB-recommended track circuit module replacement between Pentagon City and Arlington Cemetery.

L’Enfant Plaza Station Advisory: All Yellow Line trains, traveling in both directions, will arrive on the same platform at L’Enfant Plaza this weekend. Please follow signs within the station to identify the appropriate platform. Green Line trains will use normal platforms at all times.

Green Line 10 p.m. Fri., June 28 through closing Sun., June 30
Normal service between College Park & Branch Ave. Extra time to/from Greenbelt only.

Green Line trains will operate at regular weekend intervals between College Park & Branch Ave stations. Regular weekend intervals are every 12 minutes during daytime hours and every 15-20 minutes at other times.

Due to a single-track work zone between Greenbelt and College Park, every other Green Line train will run between Branch Ave & College Park only, rather than between Branch Ave and Greenbelt.

As a result, passengers traveling to or from Greenbelt Station ONLY may experience travel times up to 15 minutes longer than normal.

Work Performed: Construction will continue on a new test track to accept new 7000-series railcars.