Administrator
Posted 24 December 2021 - 08:32 PM
WTOP FM 12/24/21
Unvaccinated Metro employees must now submit to twice-weekly testing
Metro is requiring its unvaccinated employees to get tested for COVID-19 twice a week in light of the highly transmissible omicron variant.
According to an internal memo sent to employees, starting Jan. 10, 2022, unvaccinated employees will be required to test for the virus and submit their results to a portal every four days.
Board Leader
Posted 06 January 2022 - 12:09 AM
Metro magazine, 1/5/22:
D.C. Metro Announces Service Adjustments to Combat Omicron Variant
Metro announced its Pandemic Taskforce is taking actions to protect the health and safety of its customers and employees against the recent surge in COVID-19 variants. Due to growing absenteeism rates across service areas related to COVID illness and exposures, Metro is reducing service schedules and implementing new workforce actions effective Monday, Jan. 10.
Kevin Korell
OTOL Board Leader
Lakewood, NJ
Administrator
Posted 06 January 2022 - 03:30 PM
Metro magazine, 1/5/22:
D.C. Metro Announces Service Adjustments to Combat Omicron Variant
Metro announced its Pandemic Taskforce is taking actions to protect the health and safety of its customers and employees against the recent surge in COVID-19 variants. Due to growing absenteeism rates across service areas related to COVID illness and exposures, Metro is reducing service schedules and implementing new workforce actions effective Monday, Jan. 10.
Metrorail serivce isn't being reduced (beyond the reductions due to the 7000 series cars out of service). All other WMATA services are affected.
Metrorail will continue to operate on all lines as scheduled, with customers experiencing more frequent service at stations served by multiple lines.
SNIP
Metrobus customers are advised to consider alternative sources of transportation like Metrorail to travel throughout the region.
Board Leader
Posted 09 February 2022 - 08:21 PM
Washington, DC Post, 2/9/22:
Steep ridership losses will force changes to Metro service after pandemic, transit leaders say
The public transit service that riders were accustomed to before the pandemic is not coming back, a result of fewer trips to downtown Washington and a rise in workers abandoning commutes, Metro leaders testified Wednesday at a hearing on problems plaguing the transit agency.
Kevin Korell
OTOL Board Leader
Lakewood, NJ
Administrator
Posted 04 March 2022 - 03:57 PM
WMATA press release
For immediate release: March 3, 2022Metro statement on American Rescue Plan funding
Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld released the following statement:
“We are thankful to our Congressional delegation as well as the Biden Administration for their support of WMATA’s grant application under the American Rescue Plan which provides Metro $120 million in operating funding and will support continued operations. These funds will be helpful in our continued preparation to keep the region moving as many reenter the workplace and resume leisure activities.”
Administrator
Posted 04 March 2022 - 03:59 PM
WTOP-FM 3/4/22
Metro gets additional $120 million in COVID relief funds
Metro is getting $120 million in additional funding from the American Rescue Plan, Democratic senators from Virginia and Maryland said Thursday.
The financial infusion will support operations and help “in our continued preparation to keep the region moving as many reenter the workplace and resume leisure activities,” Metro General Manager and CEO Paul Weidefeld said in a statement.
Administrator
Posted 18 April 2022 - 09:55 PM
WMATA news release
Metro to make masks optional, effective immediately
Effective immediately, Metro will make masks optional on Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess for its customers. Masks also will be optional for Metro employees. This change comes as a result of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suspending enforcement, while the Biden Administration reviews a federal judge’s ruling.
“Our mask mandate has been based on federal guidance,” said General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld. “We will continue to monitor this situation as it unfolds, but masks will be optional on Metro property until further notice.”
Metro encourages its customers to make decisions that are in their best interests. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
Ridership on Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess has steadily increased over the last few months as customers return to work environments and enjoy leisure activities throughout the region. Metro encourages all customers to be mindful of the following tips to maximize their experience:
- See Something, Say Something – Report suspicious activity to MTPD by texting MY-MTPD (69-6873) or calling 202-962-2121.
- Metro can help you plan - Use our Trip Planner to help you determine the best route to your destination.
- Determine when your train or bus will arrive - Use Next Arrivals for real-time Metrorail or Metrobus arrival times to minimize wait times on station platforms and at bus stops.
- Give yourself additional time - Allow an additional five to seven minutes in your travel plans to avoid missing your train or bus.
- Go Mobile – SmarTrip for iPhone and Android makes paying for Metro easy. Download our app, then tap & go wherever you use SmarTrip - for Metrobus, Metrorail or parking.
Customers are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts text or email messages to receive updated service information or follow us on Twitter @wmata @MetrorailInfo @MetrobusInfo.
Administrator
Posted 09 May 2022 - 07:00 AM
The Washington Post, Washington, DC 5/9/22
Metro says ridership is outpacing transit agency projectionsThis means good news for its finances but riders are growing frustrated over increased crowding
Metro ridership is outpacing transit agency projections, raising optimism after significant drops in fare revenue while putting pressure on the system to solve a train shortage and alleviate crowding.
The number of passengers on the Metro rail and bus systems combined is 40 percent higher than agency expectations set more than a year ago, Metro officials said Monday. Ridership in recent weeks has doubled since March 2021, coming as many offices across the Washington area have reopened for work.
Metro said the return to offices, higher gas prices and rebounding tourism are fueling the growth. . . .
Administrator
Posted 09 May 2022 - 07:10 AM
WTOP-FM, Washington, DC 5/9/22
Metro sees ridership increase but remains lower than before pandemic
As gas prices climbed across the D.C. region in early March and more offices reopened, more people hopped on Metro trains and buses, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
People riding Metro more than doubled in March 2022 compared to March 2021. On average, 445,000 people rode either the bus or train weekdays during March. Of those, 205,000 took Metrorail and 240,000 took Metrobus.
Administrator
Posted 09 May 2022 - 12:37 PM
WMATA news release
For immediate release: May 9, 2022Metro ridership projections trending ahead of forecastMetrobus leads in Covid performance rebound
Metro ridership is outpacing projections through the first three quarters of fiscal year 2022 by nearly 40 percent. Through March, ridership has exceeded the initial forecast by 28 million passenger trips as more people chose bus and rail for travel throughout the region. Metrobus leads the way, accounting for 60 percent of overall Metro ridership, compared to about 40 percent for rail.
People returning to offices, higher gas prices, the return of large-scale events, and robust tourism are driving the resurgence. Ridership more than doubled as of March. Parking usage has tripled over the same period.
“These numbers are encouraging and welcome news for our regional mobility and economy,” said Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg. “While the Board’s budget assumed conservative ridership forecasts in the interest of fiscal responsibility, we are delighted that people are returning to the system more often than expected.”
Following a slowdown in ridership recovery during the emergence of Covid variants, Metro ridership rebounded in March, boosted by businesses resuming in-person work, as well as visitors attending activities and events during cherry blossom season. Average weekday rail ridership peaked Tuesday through Thursday at 230,000 and bus at 280,000.
Ridership continued to trend up in April, reaching as high as 300,000 on Metrobus. During peak times the number of riders continued to climb, showing an uptick in SmartBenefits® usage. SmartBenefits users nearly tripled since January with a pandemic high of 66,000 riders.
“People returning to Metro reduces traffic, combats climate change, and delivers clients, customers and employees to federal workplaces and local businesses,” said General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld. “As the region transitions out of the pandemic and our services continue to improve this summer, we expect more residents and visitors will choose Metro.”
The trend is positive news for Metro’s bottom line, improving the financial outlook for the fiscal year ending June 30. More riders also mean more revenue from advertisers looking to capitalize on Metro’s increasing customer base. Advertising revenue sold in the system has more than doubled and is $2 million ahead of last year’s budget. Revenue from advertising supports Metro operations.
While ridership is expected to remain below pre-Covid numbers as the region’s travel behaviors change, Metrobus has reached 61 percent of pre-pandemic ridership levels. The positive trends for bus and rail are expected to continue, as the Board-approved budget continues more frequent bus service through the next fiscal year and rail frequency improvements are anticipated in late summer with the restoration of the 7000-series railcars to the fleet.
View Metro Performance Report FY22/Q3
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