103 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

WTOP Radio, Washington, DC 2/14/21

Metro changes how often trains will run

 

 

Weekday schedule changes for Metrorail take effect Monday in what the transit system hopes will sync up with riders’ travel patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Originally proposed in November as a part Metro’s revised FY2021 budget, weekday intervals will now be six minutes along the Red Line and 12 minutes along all other lines.

 

For multi-line stations, Metro said riders will only have to wait 4 to 6 minutes for another train. Its goal is to have trains running at the same frequency during peak and non-peak hours through the evening rush hour.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release EXCERPT

 

 

For immediate release: February 22, 2021

 

  Metro seeks public input on proposed budget to support regional recovery amid pandemic-related financial constraints

 

 

The public comment period for Metro's Fiscal Year 2022 budget is officially open, and Metro's Board of Directors wants your feedback. Metro is encouraging anyone impacted by changes in this budget to make their voice heard before the comment period ends at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16.

 

Metro is facing a significant budget shortfall due to a decrease in ridership caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, with ridership down about 90 percent and 60 percent on Metrorail and Metrobus, respectively. Federal relief funding has allowed Metro to avoid layoffs, continue providing essential travel service, and prepare for transit ridership to return. However, even with the additional federal funding and management actions such as limiting the use of contractors and shrinking Metro's workforce by attrition, there is not enough money to fill the entire budget gap for the fiscal year that begins July 1, 2021.

 

Metro is working with its Congressional delegation to secure additional funding to continue providing service as the region comes back to work. But service cuts remain a looming threat, and Metro must plan accordingly.

 

Through the end of calendar year 2021, the proposed budget would maintain current Metrorail service levels and hours. On Metrobus, full or partial service would be restored on 10 additional lines, late night service (until 2 a.m) would be added on 24 lines in late Spring 2021, and coverage to support commuter and school-based travel would be added in Fall 2021.

 

The budget maximizes the amount of time Metro can maintain these service levels to provide predictability for riders while closing the funding gap projected in the second half of FY22. If Metro does not receive additional federal funding, service cuts and layoffs will be necessary beginning January 2022.

 

The following proposals would take effect in January 2022 in the absence of additional federal relief funding:

 

Metrorail

• Close up to 22 Metrorail stations with low ridership that are near other stations
• Operate Metrorail every 30 minutes on all lines; Red Line trains would operate every 15 minutes between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Silver Spring
• Institute turnbacks on the Red and Yellow lines

 

 

 

Complete release and related discussion is here:

WMATA FY 2022 Budget -- Eff. 7/1/21

[CNJRoss]

WTOP Radio, Washington, DC  3/1/21

 

Metro will only reunite riders with lost wallets, electronics going forward

 

 

Metro is bringing back in-person pickup for missing items found in the D.C. transit system, although anyone looking for something other than a wallet or electronics might be out of luck.

 

Starting Monday, Metro’s lost and found policy will narrow down to wallets and electronic devices, including phones, laptops and tablets, as a cost-saving measure. Anything else will be destroyed, donated or auctioned off.

 

Continue here.

 

 

WMATA press release

 

 

For immediate release: February 1, 2021

  Metro lost and found procedures to change March 1

 

 

Amid ongoing pandemic-related budget constraints, Metro today announced upcoming changes to its lost and found procedures to reduce administrative costs so the agency can continue to prioritize its core mission: providing safe and reliable transportation for the region.

 

Beginning March 1, Metro's lost and found department will work to reunite customers with lost wallets and electronics (such as phones, tablets, and laptops) only. All other items lost in the system will be disposed of, donated to charity, destroyed, or auctioned.

 

While Metro was able to halt service cuts and layoffs thanks to the latest federal Covid relief funding, the federal funding will not close Metro's entire projected budget gap for the next fiscal year. The change in lost and found procedures is one of several administrative actions Metro is taking to lessen the gap, including limiting the use of contractors, deferring some capital program expenses, and shrinking its workforce by attrition.

 

Also on March 1, in-person pickup for lost items, which has been suspended during the pandemic, will resume at Metro's lost and found facility located at 6500 Belcrest Rd., Hyattsville, Md. Customers may still opt to have their item returned via mail if they cover the cost of mailing. Face coverings are required in all Metro facilities, and customers visiting the lost and found office are asked to adhere to posted social distancing signage.

 

Any item reported lost between now and February 28, 2021 will be handled using the current process and held for 30 days as Metro staff work to reunite customers with their lost items. Lost items may be reported online here or by calling 202-962-1195.

 

 

 

 

[KevinKorell]

I would think there may be other things that WMATA should return to the customer if they can, something essential to a person's living, such as a pair of glasses.   They may not carry an ID on them like a wallet, but the passenger who lost it will realize that fact early and contact the agency to get it back.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio, Washington, DC  3/8/21

 

Metro GM hopes COVID-19 relief could prevent cuts to service, staff

 

 

The $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package making its way through Congress could help prevent big service cuts for D.C.’s Metro system, Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld hopes.

 

“We’re all hoping that the actions that were taken by Congress over the weekend will eliminate these issues for us,” Wiedefeld said during a briefing for the Prince George’s County Council.

 

Continue here.

 

Cross-posted in WMATA FY 2022 Budget -- Eff. 7/1/21 and WMATA & Coronavirus

[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release

 

For immediate release: March 10, 2021

  American Recovery Plan helps Metro avert service cuts and layoffs

 

 

Metro expects to avert service cuts and layoffs that had been proposed in its FY22 budget thanks to new federal relief approved by Congress today. 

 

"Congress has once again stepped up to address the needs of Metro and the regional transit systems that will be critical to our region's economic recovery," said Metro Board of Directors Chair Paul C. Smedberg. "While it will take more time to work out all the details, including Metro's exact share of this funding, the $1.4 billion provided by the American Recovery Plan for our region's transit agencies will allow us to avert the painful service reductions and layoffs that were on the table."

 

Smedberg continued, "More than 18,000 individuals have provided Metro's Board of Directors with feedback on our FY22 budget, and that feedback is enormously helpful as we plan for the future. We will continue the public comment period – including virtual public hearings – through March 16, and we expect to vote on a revised FY22 budget in April that takes into consideration this new federal relief."

 

Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld said, "This relief is only possible thanks to the leadership of our entire congressional delegation, who fought tirelessly for transit workers and riders."

 

The WMATA Compact requires the Board to adopt a balanced budget for the coming fiscal year by June 30th.

 

 

 

[KevinKorell]

NBC Washington, 3/18/21:

 

 

   Metro to ‘Return to Normalcy' Soon: Safety Officer  

 

 

Last week, Metro had one of its busiest periods on the rails since the pandemic started. 

 

Full story

[CNJRoss]

WMATA press release

 

For immediate release: March 31, 2021

  Metro to host community vaccination clinic at Greenbelt Station

 

Beginning next week, Metro will host a transit-accessible community vaccination center run by FEMA at Greenbelt Station. 

 

The Federal Pilot Community Vaccination Center is scheduled to open on April 7 and will serve the surrounding communities in Prince George's County. Work is currently underway to set up the site, which will be located in the parking lot area, and it will be fully staffed and operated by FEMA personnel.

 

"One year ago, we took the once unimaginable step of discouraging the use of Metro while the spread of a little-understood coronavirus disrupted every aspect of our lives," said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. "Now, Metro is proud to host a vaccination center to help the communities we serve get protection from the virus and turn the page on this pandemic. At Metro, we're doing our part to keep the region moving and support its economic recovery, and we encourage everyone to do their part by getting vaccinated when eligible."

 

Signage will provide guidance to the vaccination site from the Metrorail station and parking areas. Parking in a designated lot will be available at no cost to those getting vaccinated.

 

Marylanders interested in receiving a vaccination can pre-register online at covidlink.maryland.gov or by calling 1-855-MD-GoVAX.

 

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio Washington, DC  4/9/21
 

Metro considers fare discounts as way to get rail riders back

 

 

Will fare discounts draw more commuters back to Metro?

 

The coronavirus pandemic has been a game-changer for Metrorail, but not in a good way, with ridership about 85% lower than it was before the pandemic hit.

 

Metro board member Michael Goldman said the transit agency needs to get creative and draw riders back, potentially by offering fare discounts.

 

“I think we need to give our riders some incentives to return to the system,” Goldman said. “We cannot continue to operate a rail system at 15% of pre-COVID ridership levels.” 

 

SNIP 

 

“I would suggest on a trial basis a simplified zone system,” said Goldman, proposing $2 in the District, $3 rides inside the Beltway and $3.85 rides outside the Beltway.

 

The discounts would start later this year, after Labor Day.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, 4/9/21
 

Metro board considers lowering fares to lure riders when workers return to offices

 

 

As employers across the Washington region look toward fall for bringing workers back to the office, Metro officials want to ensure the transit agency is still a large part of the post-pandemic commute.

 

Board members said Thursday that they are considering a temporary lowering of fares to lure riders back at a time when many workers say they are considering other commuting options. Though some passengers are returning to transit as vaccination rates increase, Metro officials say they are not seeing the ridership rebound they expected.

 

SNIP

 

Goldman asked board members to consider a temporary fare discount starting after Labor Day, when many companies are planning for workers to return to the office. He proposed a standard all-day fare, rather than a cost that fluctuates based on peak commuting times.

 

Goldman said Metro also could consider fares based on a zone system, suggesting that trips in the District cost $2, while rides within the Beltway would cost $3. Trips outside the Beltway could cost $3.85, he said.

 

More here.