103 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio 2/5/20
 

Local coronavirus concerns prompt Metro to buy masks, cleaning supplies

 

 

Metro is planning to buy thousands of face masks, cans of disinfectant and bottles of hand sanitizer as an emergency measure to prepare just i  or there is a large flu outbreak.

 

SNIP

 

Metro could have the 43,428 disposable dust masks; 797 reusable masks; 1,846 cases of disinfectant and disinfectant wipes, plus hand sanitizer dispensers; 1,478 boxes of rubber gloves; 362 trash bags; 9,495 small hand sanitizer bottles and other materials on hand by the end of next week.

 

More here.

[CNJRoss]

WMATA release

 

Metro takes additional steps, coordinates with public health authorities on COVID-19

 

UPDATED 03/13/20

 

Metro announces additional COVID-19 changes, including reduced service beginning Monday

 

Metro and its Pandemic Task Force continue to work around the clock to support the region and slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Today, Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld directed his team to implement several new measures to strike an appropriate balance for Metro’s workforce and their families, our customers, and the region as a whole.

 

As of 2 p.m., Friday, March 13, Metro has further escalated its response to Phase 3 of its Pandemic Flu Plan. Phase 3 is the highest level of response and will include all subsequent mitigation steps required during the public health emergency. Metro expects to be at Phase 3 until further notice. Phase 4 is the “recovery phase” of the plan that involves Metro’s return to normal operations after the situation is under control.

 

Consistent with action taken by regional jurisdictions, Metro is implementing mandatory telework for administrative employees, combined with remote work assignments for selected employees whose job functions are not essential to operate trains and buses. This action is taken to maximize social distancing, a required mitigation to slow the spread of the disease. Members of Metro’s Pandemic Task Force are equipped with the latest technology tools to allow for full collaboration over secure video conferencing platforms.

 

To help protect employees and customers, and recognizing that many of Metro’s frontline employees are faced with tough choices as they balance work with their family priorities, including caring for children who are home from area schools, Metro is reducing service beginning Monday, as follows:

 

METRORAIL

• Monday-Friday: Trains will operate every 12 minutes on each line throughout the day. The rail system will maintain normal hours, opening at 5 a.m.
• Saturday: Trains will operate every 12 minutes on each line, with service from 7 a.m. until 1 a.m. (normal Saturday service).
• Sunday: Trains will operate every 15 minutes on each line, with service from 8 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. (normal Sunday service).

 

METROBUS

• On weekdays, bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule. Weekend bus schedules are unchanged.

 

IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL, DO NOT TAKE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. Call your healthcare provider before you leave your home and follow their guidance.

 

The service reduction also allows for additional disinfecting of railcars and buses, including the use of electrostatic fogging on a weekly basis across Metro’s fleet of 1,200 railcars and 1,500 buses. The electrostatic process addresses inaccessible surfaces in the vehicle, such as air ducts and compartments.

 

Due to the service adjustment, please note that Metro’s Rush Hour Promise has been suspended until further notice (i.e. until regular service levels are restored).

 

MetroAccess service will continue to operate during the same hours as rail and bus services. Metro continues to emphasize that customers must not use MetroAccess to travel to healthcare appointments if they are showing signs of illness for the safety of our employees and other passengers. If you are ill, call your healthcare provider and make transportation arrangements that do not involve public transportation. In addition, the MetroAccess Eligibility Center is closed until further notice.

 

Further, Metro’s Pandemic Task Force is taking unprecedented steps to protect the health of our most essential employees who work in the Rail Operations Control Center, including a ban on visitors and non-essential personnel, and creating physical separation between ROCC employee teams who will now run the rail system from two different locations to mitigate risk. Operation of the rail system will alternate between two control centers, allowing downtime for disinfecting keyboards, headsets, microphones, screens and other critical equipment in the control center.

 

Visitors are not permitted at Metro Headquarters (Jackson Graham Building) or any other administrative site, and public meetings at Metro HQ have been suspended, including the Riders' Advisory Council and the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Metro’s Board of Directors will announce plans for upcoming meetings in the coming days, with an emphasis on public health and welfare.

 

Metro will continue to be guided by the advice of public health authorities and its Pandemic Flu Plan, which was activated 44 days ago at the first signs of a potential pandemic. The early activation allowed Metro to convene its Pandemic Task Force and take immediate action to stockpile critical items, such as hand sanitizer, masks, gloves, and hospital-grade disinfectant. The Task Force is led by Metro’s Chief Safety Officer, with support from Metro’s Chief Medical Officer and key senior officials from across the Authority.

[CNJRoss]

WTOP radio 3/13/20
 

Gov. Northam orders Va. schools to close for at least 2 weeks, Metro cuts service

 

 

Metro service cuts, school closures and new cases hit D.C., Maryland and Virginia in response to concerns over the new coronavirus pandemic.

 

Metro is changing its service until further notice under its highest level of pandemic response plan, the transit system announced Friday afternoon.

 

SNIP

 

METRO

Metro is cutting service until further notice after shifting to the highest level of its pandemic response plans.

 

The changes will reduce weekday service to weekend levels in the rail system, and cut weekday bus service back to a Saturday schedule. The rail system will continue to run regular hours each day, just with less frequent service on weekdays.

 

Metro plans to use the changes to put more effort into cleaning.

 

More here.

[CNJRoss]

WUSA-TV Washington, DC 3/14/20

 

Photos: This is what the Metro looks like during the coronavirus

 

From people in masks to fewer butts in seats, the Metro is looking a little different as the coronavirus impacts the DMV.

 

WASHINGTON — When you go on D.C.'s Metro during the coronavirus outbreak, you may see a few things that are different and a few fewer people, but more with masks.

SNIP

People have been seen wearing double masks, fewer people are riding the rail system and signs are published to help enhance good hygiene practices.

More here w/photo album.

[CNJRoss]

WMATA press release

 

For immediate release: March 17, 2020

  METRO SERVICE FURTHER REDUCED TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY

 

 

Metro’s Pandemic Task Force today announced major service reductions during the ongoing pandemic response. The changes further draw-down service to protect frontline employees, while maintaining regional mobility for essential trips taken by hospital staff, government officials, and emergency responders. The reduction takes into account the urgent public guidance from regional leaders, along with emergency orders to cancel events, close schools and offices, and limit social gatherings across the nation.

 

Our region is speaking with one voice: Stay home. Essential travel only.

 

Metro ridership was down nearly 70 percent across the board yesterday. As a result, starting tomorrow, service will be further reduced – on both bus and rail – to allow even more cleaning and to reduce sharing of workspaces and vehicles for employee safety. For the first time, the Metro Task Force will reduce rail system hours with an earlier closing time across the week.

 

“As members of our community stay home from work, school and social gatherings – following the critical emergency guidance of Governors Hogan and Northam and Mayor Bowser – Metro will reduce service and implement measures to reduce risk for employees and the public,” said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. “To be clear, Metro intends to be there to provide service for essential trips in our community – as long as it is safe and appropriate to do so. If everyone does their part and stays home whenever possible, Metro will be there for hospital staff and other heroes who need us at this unprecedented moment in our lives.”

 

Specifically, the Task Force is urging the public to NOT travel to view the cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin to keep Metro’s limited capacity available for essential travel (e.g. doctors, nurses, essential governmental functions, etc.). Metro reserves the right to close stations near the Tidal Basin at any time to reduce the use of Metro for tourist trips.

 

In addition, Metro is acting urgently to further reduce the number of employees required at any time and working to create additional redundancy in Metro’s workforce to protect service continuity.

 

“The actions directed by the Task Force today will help Metro return to normal service when the pandemic emergency is over and our region begins to recover,” said Theresa M. Impastato, Metro’s Chief Safety Officer, who is leading Metro’s response to the pandemic and advising the General Manager.

 

Effective tomorrow (Wednesday, March 18)—and continuing until further notice—Metro service will operate as follows:

Metrorail:

• Rail system hours and service levels are further reduced to support ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY. DO NOT TRAVEL UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY and follow guidance from your state and local authorities.
• New hours: Weekdays 5AM-11PM, Sat/Sun 8AM-11PM
• Trains will run every 15 minutes on each line at all times, including the Red Line. All trains will operate with 8 cars, the maximum possible length, to help maintain social distancing between customers.
• Metro’s Rail Operations Control Centers (two) will actively monitor trains and station platforms for any possible crowding, something that has not been an issue at any point during the pandemic emergency response.
• Metro is reducing/cancelling track work, except emergency maintenance and inspections, to avoid unexpected delays and maintain 15-minute intervals between trains.

 

Metrobus:

• Bus hours and service levels are further reduced to support ESSENTIAL TRAVEL ONLY. DO NOT TRAVEL UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY and follow guidance from your state and local authorities.
• Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule, with supplemental service on selected routes to prevent crowding and ensure areas are not cut off. Visit wmata.com for information about “supplemental” routes that will operate, in addition to Sunday routes.
• IMPORTANT: Bus operators are granted the authority to bypass bus stops to maintain safe social distancing aboard the vehicle.
• These actions reduce the number of Metro employees and buses required to maintain service by more than 60 percent.

 

MetroAccess:

• All subscription trips are cancelled until further notice. Customers with a critical need to travel should make a separate reservation calling 301-562-5360 (TTY 301-588-7535) or via the online reservation system.
• Customers are strongly encouraged to travel ONLY IF ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

 

IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING WELL OR HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OF ILLNESS, YOU MUST AVOID TAKING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. THIS INCLUDES METROACCESS CUSTOMERS. Instead, do the following:

1. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER BEFORE LEAVING YOUR HOME. Do NOT show up without calling first. Your healthcare provider may want to send you to an alternate location.
2. FOLLOW YOUR PROVIDER’S INSTRUCTIONS. DON’T USE PUBLIC TRANSIT. Let your doctor’s office know if you have transportation needs. They will provide instructions for you to get help. Again, to protect the health and safety our employees, their families, and your fellow passengers, do not use Metro if you are not feeling well.

 

Due to the emergency service adjustments, Metro’s online trip planner, electronic bus information displays and third-party app-based services may not immediately reflect the schedule changes taken by the Pandemic Task Force. Metro is not adjusting fares, despite service reductions.

 

“We want everyone to follow the guidance of state and local leaders. Stay home. Travel only if it’s essential and limit your exposure to others,” Impastato said. “The health and well-being of our employees and riders is paramount, and our team will continue to work around the clock to prioritize public health and safety in Metro’s response to this unprecedented emergency.”

 

Metro has already taken the following steps to protect the health and safety of its frontline employees:

• Increased Metro’s on-hand warehouse inventory of essential supplies, such as hospital-grade disinfectant, wipes, face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and other items used by Metro’s front-line employees.
• Allowing Station Managers to remain in kiosks at all times to minimize their public exposure. Access to kiosks—even among Metro employees—has been further restricted.
• Closed all public restroom access systemwide.
• Giving Bus Operators discretion to bypass bus stops if their vehicle is too crowded to maintain safe social distancing.
• Directed train operators to remain in operating cabs except in an emergency.
• All Metrobuses are equipped with protective safety shields for operators and are to remain closed.
• Implemented mandatory telework for most job functions.
• Banned visitors and non-essential access to buildings and worksites.

 

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, 3/18/20

 

 

 

Metro, facing a deficit of more than $50 million a month due to coronavirus, seeks emergency federal aid   

 

The transit agency is asking for assistance from Congress to mitigate ‘dire financial circumstances’

 

 

 

Metro is asking Congress for emergency assistance as plummeting ridership and fare revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic and higher costs to protect employees have caused a budget deficit projected to balloon to more than $50 million a month.

 

Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld wrote to the region’s congressional delegation Wednesday asking for help with “dire financial circumstances” as the transit agency “takes extraordinary steps to protect the health and safety of riders and employees while maintaining essential services for the Nation’s Capital.”  

 

Wiedefeld said the transit agency has spent $17 million over the past few months purchasing personal protective equipment such as face masks, wipes, gloves and hand sanitizer for front-line employees while expanding the use of disinfectants to clean Metro vehicles, stations and equipment.

 

Continue here.

[CNJRoss]

WMATA press release

 

For immediate release: March 19, 2020

  Metro to close Smithsonian, Arlington Cemetery Stations to prevent Cherry Blossom travel

 

Metro today announced the closures of Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations, effective 5 p.m. today, to discourage the use of Metrorail for recreational visits to view the Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin. Metro is open for ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY to maintain regional mobility for hospital staff, government officials, and emergency responders. The two stations will remain closed until further notice

 

 

[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release 6:26 pm 3/20/20

 

For immediate release: March 20, 2020

 

  BREAKING: Metro makes additional reductions this weekend due to workforce availability challenges; trains every 30 minutes, supplemental bus trips cancelled

 

Due to workforce availability challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak, Metro is making additional adjustments to this weekend’s service, Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, 2020:

 

Metrorail

·   Trains will now operate every 30 minutes on all lines

·   Hours remain 8AM-11PM

·   Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations remain closed until further notice to prevent Cherry Blossom travel

 

Metrobus

·   Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule with no supplemental routes

·   In the event of crowding, bus operators may bypass stops to maintain safe social distancing aboard the vehicle.

 

DO NOT TRAVEL UNLESS NECESSARY. METRO SERVICE IS LIMITED (EVERY 30 MIN/LINE). ALL SPACE MUST BE PRESERVED FOR ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY. Consider alternatives to using transit, such as walking, biking, scooters, or delivery services.

 

“Metrobus operators and all of our frontline colleagues have the same pressures as everyone else right now. They have families, kids out of school, loved ones with health concerns, and others may know someone already impacted by the Coronavirus. Despite these pressures, and despite understandable concerns, our workforce is showing up out of a sense of duty to the community and a responsibility to the nation,” Wiedefeld said. “Space on Metro is a resource that needs to be reserved for essential travel, including the first responders, doctors and nurses working to keep us all safe. They are responding to the call out of concern for you, please stay home out of concern for them.”

 

With rail ridership down by 85 percent Thursday compared to last year, Metro has strategically reduced service levels to protect frontline workers, while at the same time maintaining limited transit service to support the regional and national response. Metro’s Operations division now reports availability challenges due to operators opting to decline overtime opportunities to focus on family obligations, absences associated with high-risk groups, and scheduling restrictions necessary to support workforce redundancy strategies. As an example, out of concern that even a single, potential COVID-19 exposure among Metro’s control center personnel could force the rail system to shut down for weeks, Metro took unprecedented action to mitigate the risk by activating its backup Rail Operations Control Center and assigning essential control center staff into multiple teams. The teams are isolated from each other to prevent an exposure on one team from impacting Metro’s continuity of operations. The dual control centers, located about 10 miles apart, alternate control of the rail system at 8-hour intervals with cleaning and disinfecting taking place during the downtime.

 

Despite the dramatically lower ridership this week, Metro officials remain concerned about people using Metro for non-essential trips, including travel to the National Mall and Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms. Faced with the combination of peak bloom today and warm spring weather, Metro took preemptive action to deter non-essential use of the transit system by closing Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations until further notice.

 

Metro’s Pandemic Task Force continues to prioritize the safety of employees, customers and the general public above all else, working around the clock to monitor and respond to the evolving situation and coordinating with state and local officials. Metro has implemented some of the strongest protections for frontline workers during the pandemic, including granting bus operators the discretion to not accept additional passengers if the operator believes that social distancing cannot be maintained, closing all restrooms across the 91-station rail system, banning visitors and certain deliveries to Metro facilities, relieving station managers of selected duties outside the kiosk to limit their public exposure, enhanced cleaning of all high-touch surfaces, allowing employees to utilize liberal leave for certain COVID-19 concerns, establishing email and phone hotlines for COVID-19 concerns that go directly to Metro’s Chief Medical Officer and professional medical staff, and a massive authority-wide preparedness effort that began 51 days ago, on January 29.

 

[CNJRoss]

WMATA news release

 

For immediate release: March 22, 2020

  WEEKDAY SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT: Limited service for essential trips only; public urged to stay home; use Metro only if no other options available

 

 

Metro today announced expected rail and bus service levels for the week of Monday, March 23, through Friday, March 27. Transit service remains significantly scaled back to protect the health and safety of Metro employees, customers and the public as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to disrupt all aspects of life in the region.

 

“Metro will do everything we can to protect the everyday heroes who are driving buses, running trains, monitoring stations and helping people with disabilities. Our frontline colleagues make a choice each day to leave their homes at a time of great anxiety and uncertainty. They do it out of a sense of duty – and to support this community. In turn, I ask the community to support them by staying home,” said Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld.

 

Metro has been asking the public to limit their use of Metro to essential travel only for nine days. Starting tomorrow, it will be even more imperative that the public follow this guidance.

 

“We all need to think of transit service as a limited resource because, right now, it is. If you are boarding a bus when you could walk, that increases the likelihood of the bus reaching capacity and having to bypass a stop where a nurse might be heading in to start a shift,” Wiedefeld said. 

Metrorail:

• Trains will operate every 20 minutes on all lines except Red Line.
• Red Line trains will operate every 15 minutes. 
• Stations serviced by multiple lines will see trains arrive every 7-10 minutes. For example, Rosslyn, served by the Blue, Orange and Silver lines, will have train service to DC about every 7 minutes. 
• Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations will remain closed until further notice to keep non-essential cherry blossom travel off the rail system at this time of national emergency.

 

Metrobus:

• Buses will run on a modified Sunday schedule. Supplemental trips will not operate; however, some routes that provide weekday-only service to essential federal workplaces have been added to the schedule.
• Visit wmata.com for a list of routes that are – and are not – operating this week.
• Responding to a request from union leadership, beginning Tuesday, all Metrobus customers will enter and exit the bus using the REAR doors only, except customers who require use of a wheelchair ramp, which remains available at the front door. Metro is also temporarily suspending fare collection on Metrobus, because all farebox and SmarTrip equipment is located at the front door. Metro reserves the ability to discontinue this policy at any time.

MetroAccess:

• All subscription trips remain canceled. Please limit all travel to only the most essential.

 

Since moving to an “essential travel only” message on March 13, Metro ridership has declined with each successive commuting day as citizens following the guidance to stay home and practice social distancing to flatten the curve (rate of community spread). Rail ridership on Friday was down more than 86 percent and bus down 65 percent.

 

Unfortunately, too many people continue to use Metrobus, where capacity is extremely limited and additional service reductions are expected.  Metro wants to provide bus service for essential trips in the region, but if continued usage for non-essential trips becomes a public health concern, Metro may consider discontinuing all bus service. Simply put: public health concerns take priority over individual transportation needs.

 

Metro has taken unprecedented steps in response to the public health emergency for the safety of employees, customers and the general public. Under the direction of its Pandemic Task Force, Metro has reduced service levels and hours; closed the Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations to discourage non-essential cherry blossom trips; stepped up cleaning of all high-touch surfaces on buses, trains and in stations; and given bus operators discretion to bypass bus stops if their vehicle is too crowded to maintain safe social distancing.

 

Metro continues to prioritize the health and safety of frontline employees by closing restrooms to the public at all 91 stations; relieving station managers of certain duties outside the kiosk to reduce risk of exposure; modifying absence policies allowing employees to take leave for certain COVID-19 concerns; and providing employees with direct access to professional medical staff through an email and phone hotline.

 

Metro’s Pandemic Response Plan remains at Phase 3, the highest response level, and will remain there until the COVID-19 public health emergency subsides. Metro may make emergency service reductions at any time if necessary to protect employees and riders.

 

The next anticipated service change is expected to be the strategic closure of selected Metrorail stations and entrances to save critical cleaning supplies. (emphasis added)  Each station entrance is equipped with at least one escalator (most with multiple escalators), and unless closed, require cleaning in accordance with Metro’s pandemic response standards.

 

 

[CNJRoss]

The Washington Post, 3/23/20

Vienna, Dunn Loring stations closed because of coronavirus concerns

 

 

 

The Vienna and Dunn Loring stations on Metro’s Orange Line were closed Monday evening over coronavirus concerns after an employee was reported sick, officials said.

 

SNIP

 

“Following our covid-19 safety precautions, the station has been closed to customers until the situation is evaluated,” Stessel said.

More here.