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WMATA prepares for major winter storm


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#31 CNJRoss

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Posted 15 February 2010 - 06:07 PM

For immediate release: February 12, 2010

Metro expands service Friday
Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess returning to normal operations


Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess are in the process of returning to normal operations Friday, Feb. 12, with significantly expanded services available for customers.

Metrorail service as of 9 a.m. today includes all Blue, Yellow and Green Line stations and limited service on the Red and Orange Lines. Six of Metro’s 86 stations remain closed as work crews continue to dig out the tracks.

Summary of Metrorail service as of 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12

• Red Line limited service: White Flint to Glenmont
• Orange Line limited service: East Falls Church to New Carrollton
• Yellow Line all stations open: Huntington to Mt Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center
• Blue Line all stations open: Franconia-Springfield to Largo Town Center
• Green Line all stations open: Greenbelt to Branch Avenue

The following Metrorail stations are closed due to snow that remains on the tracks: Shady Grove, Rockville and Twinbrook on the Red Line and Vienna/Fairfax-GMU, Dunn Loring-Merrifield and West Falls Church-VT/UVA on the Orange Line.

Metrorail trains are operating at 20- to 25-minute intervals above ground and 10- to 15-minute intervals below ground. The longer than usual intervals are a result of 35 mph speed restrictions and the snow-covered switches.

Metro officials believed that the entire Yellow and Blue lines would be open at 5 a.m. on Friday, however during the middle of the night it was discovered that the roof over the King Street Metrorail station platform and tracks suffered snow and ice damage, causing a safety concern for anyone on the platform and to trains passing through the station. Staff was diverted from snow-clearing activities to fix the roof, which delayed snow-clearing activities from King Street to Franconia-Springfield on the Blue Line and from King Street to Huntington on the Yellow Line. All stations on the Blue Line were open by 6:10 a.m. and all stations on the Yellow Line were open by 7:15 a.m.

The Metrorail system opened at 5 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12, with limited service and will close at midnight instead of 3 a.m. to allow work crews the additional overnight hours to continue to clear tracks, rail yards and rail “switches,” which are critical track components that allow trains to maneuver around problem areas by switching tracks.

Approximately 70 percent of parking spaces at Metrorail stations are available for automobiles as many surface parking spaces are being used to pile snow to make other spaces available for automobiles. The top levels of 22 Metrorail parking garages are not expected to be available for parking. Work crews will address those top levels starting Friday.

Metrobus service

More than 600 Metrobuses on more than 300 bus routes across the region are operating as of 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12, as road conditions improve throughout the Washington metropolitan area.

While the majority of Metrobus routes are operating, there are still a limited number of routes that Metro is unable to operate because of road conditions.

Metrobus routes that remain out of service as of 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 12, are as follows:

District of Columbia
62 and 63 (Takoma to Petworth)
N4 (Massachusetts Ave)
N8 (Van Ness-Wesley Heights Loop)
D1 (Glover Park to Federal Triangle)
U4 (Sheriff Road to River Terrace)
U5 and U6 (Mayfair to Marshall Heights)
U8 (Capitol Heights to Benning Heights)

Maryland
87 (Laurel Express)
89 (Laurel Line)
B29 (Crofton-New Carrollton Line)
D12, D13 (Oxon Hill to Suitland)
F6 (Prince George’s Plaza to Silver Spring)
F8 (Prince George’s Plaza to Langley Park)
F12 (Ardwick Industrial Park Shuttle)
F13 (Cheverly-Washington Business Park Line)
F14 (Sheriff Road-Capitol Heights Line)
T16, T17 (Greenbelt Line)

Customers are reminded to please use caution near bus stops as many remain under ice and snow. Local jurisdictions are responsible for clearing bus stops. Local residents can help their neighbors by shoveling the bus stops along the sidewalks near their homes so that people are not standing in the icy streets while traffic is passing.

MetroAccess

MetroAccess trips began at 6:45 a.m., however the usual door-to-door service may be shifted to curb-to-curb service if it is not safe to offer door-to-door service.

How to get updates on winter weather conditions

There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed during a major storm. Metro constantly updates local news media of Metro service changes. Information is also available on Metro’s home page at www.metroopensdoors.com. Customers can also subscribe to e-Alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.


News release issued at 9:29 am, February 12, 2010.

#32 CNJRoss

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Posted 15 February 2010 - 06:10 PM

For immediate release: February 12, 2010

Snow, reduced services cause dramatic drop in Metrorail trips
February ridership snowed out


Metrorail ridership so far this week has seen ridership levels slow to a trickle with heavy snowfall and blizzard conditions. Only 113,812 trips were taken yesterday, Thursday, Feb. 11, as the rail system began to expand service to above-ground operations on the Red, Orange and Yellow lines, and restored full service on the Green Line. By comparison, there were 753,587 trips taken the previous Thursday (Feb. 4).

Snow began on Friday, Feb. 5, and began to impact ridership immediately. The numbers of trips taken have remained extremely low. Ridership on Saturday, Feb. 6 (63,111) was the lowest number of trips taken in the rail system since Christmas 2006 when 56,326 trips were recorded. That record was eclipsed Wednesday (Feb. 10) when only 36,097 trips were taken.

With today’s expanded service, and local government offices reopened, Metro will see an increase in ridership. The Metrorail system will close at midnight tonight, Feb. 12, instead of 3 a.m., to allow work crews to do additional snow removal.

February Metrorail ridership

Date Metrorail Trips Taken Service Level
Monday, Feb. 1 701,138 Regular service
Tuesday, Feb. 2 728,047 Regular service
Wednesday, Feb. 3 670,643 Regular service
Thursday, Feb. 4 753,587 Regular service
Friday, Feb. 5 516,257 Halted above ground service at
11 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 6 63,111 Underground service only; rail system closed at 11 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 7 90,139 Underground service only
Monday, Feb. 8 124,057 Underground service only
Tuesday, Feb. 9 261,522 Five Blue Line stations closed; rail system closed at 8:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 10 36,097 Underground service only
Thursday, Feb. 11 113,812 Mainly underground service; after 4:30 p.m., expanded service on the Red, Orange, Yellow and Green lines.

News release issued at 10:13 am, February 12, 2010.

#33 CNJRoss

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Posted 15 February 2010 - 06:13 PM

For immediate release: February 12, 2010

All Metrorail stations open as of 4 p.m. Friday
Metrobus and MetroAccess returning to normal operations


All 86 Metrorail are now open and Metrobus and MetroAccess are in the process of returning to serve as many streets as possible, Friday, Feb. 12, with significantly expanded services available for customers.

Metrorail service as of 4:30 p.m. today includes service to all 86 Orange, Blue, Yellow, Green and Red Line stations. Metrorail trains are operating at 20- to 25-minute intervals above ground and 10- to 15-minute intervals below ground. The longer than usual intervals are a result of 35 mph speed restrictions and the snow-covered switches.

Metro reopened the last three Metrorail stations on the Red Line that were closed due to snow on the tracks at 4 p.m. today. Those final three stations: Shady Grove, Rockville and Twinbrook Metrorail stations.

Metro officials believed that the entire Yellow and Blue lines would be open at 5 a.m. today, however during the middle of the night it was discovered that the roof over the King Street Metrorail station platform and tracks suffered snow and ice damage, causing a safety concern for anyone on the platform and to trains passing through the station. Workers diverted from snow-clearing activities to fix the roof, which delayed snow-clearing activities from King Street to Franconia-Springfield on the Blue Line and from King Street to Huntington on the Yellow Line. All stations on the Blue Line were open by 6:10 a.m. and all stations on the Yellow Line were open by 7:15 a.m.

The Metrorail system opened at 5 a.m. today, with limited service and will close at midnight instead of 3 a.m. to allow work crews the additional overnight hours to continue to clear tracks, rail yards and rail “switches,” which are critical track components that allow trains to maneuver around problem areas by switching tracks.

Approximately 70 percent of parking spaces at Metrorail stations are available for automobiles as many surface parking spaces are being used to pile snow to make other spaces available for automobiles. The top levels of 22 Metrorail parking garages are not expected to be available for parking. Work crews will address those top levels starting Friday.

Metrobus service

Most Metrobus routes across the region were operating as of 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, as road conditions improve throughout the Washington metropolitan area. However, there are still a limited number of routes that Metro is unable to operate because of road conditions.

Metrobus routes that remain out of service as of 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12, are as follows:

District of Columbia
N8 (Van Ness-Wesley Heights Loop)
D1 (Glover Park to Federal Triangle)
U4 (Sheriff Road to River Terrace)
U5 and U6 (Mayfair to Marshall Heights)

Maryland
87 (Laurel Express)
89 (Laurel Line)
F8 (Prince George’s Plaza to Langley Park)
F12 (Ardwick Industrial Park Shuttle)
F13 (Cheverly-Washington Business Park Line)
F14 (Sheriff Road-Capitol Heights Line)

Customers are reminded to please use caution near bus stops as many remain under ice and snow. Local jurisdictions are responsible for clearing bus stops. Local residents can help their neighbors by shoveling the bus stops along the sidewalks near their homes so that people are not standing in the icy streets while traffic is passing.

MetroAccess
MetroAccess trips began at 6:45 a.m., however the usual door-to-door service may be shifted to curb-to-curb service if it is not safe to offer door-to-door service.

How to get Updates on Winter Weather Conditions

There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed during a major storm. Metro constantly updates local news media of Metro service changes. Information is also available on Metro’s home page at www.metroopensdoors.com. Customers can also subscribe to e-Alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.

###



News release issued at 3:57 pm, February 12, 2010.

#34 CNJRoss

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Posted 15 February 2010 - 06:14 PM

For immediate release: February 12, 2010

All Metrorail stations to open at 7 a.m. Saturday
Saturday hours shortened to allow for utility and maintenance work


All 86 Metrorail stations will open at its normal time at 7 a.m. and close at midnight instead of 3 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13.

Closing the rail system three hours early will allow critical utility work to be conducted, and will enable Metro workers to continue to clear ice and snow from tracks, rail yards and rail “switches,” which are critical track components that allow trains to maneuver around problem areas by switching tracks

Metrorail restored service to all 86 Orange, Blue, Yellow, Green and Red line stations on Friday afternoon. Trains are operating at 20- to 25-minute intervals above ground and 10- to 15-minute intervals below ground. The longer than usual intervals are a result of 35 mph speed restrictions and the snow-covered switches.

#35 CNJRoss

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Posted 19 February 2010 - 05:54 AM

For immediate release: February 18, 2010

February snowstorms cost Metro $18 million
Agency to seek reimbursement for snow-clearing efforts


The February 2010 snowstorms cost Metro an estimated $18 million---$8 million for snow removal efforts and $9.7 million in lost revenue.

Metrorail service was limited to underground service on several days due to the blizzards, resulting in a tremendous loss of ridership. Also, Metro is also experiencing additional revenue losses from unusable parking spaces at parking lots throughout the system that are still covered in snow and ice.

The $8 million in expenses for snow removal include labor costs such as overtime for employees; money paid to private contractors for snow removal services; deicer, salt and additional fuel needed for snow removal equipment.

“Metro is currently working with the Commonwealth of Virginia, District of Columbia, and the State of Maryland to submit costs to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for potential reimbursement associated with the snow storms,” said Carol Kissal, Metro’s Chief Financial Officer. “We are aggressively pursuing recovery of the $8 million in snow removal costs and the $9.7 million in lost revenue” through federal disaster aid, she said. Metro will also pursue recovering other administrative costs, including equipment and damage to Metro property.

The heavy snowfall in December 2009 cost Metro approximately $2.7 million in snow removal and lost revenue.

News release issued at 3:21 pm, February 18, 2010.

#36 CNJRoss

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Posted 19 February 2010 - 04:01 PM

For immediate release: February 19, 2010

Metro employee was speaking in capacity as private citizen
His comments were erroneously attributed as representing Metro


The former Director of Emergency Management for the District of Columbia testified yesterday (Feb. 18) in strong support of Mayor Adrian Fenty’s nominee to head the city’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency before the D.C. Council Committee on Public Safety and the Judiciary, however a Washington Post article in today’s paper erroneously attributed those comments as representing Metro.

The District’s former Director of Emergency Management, a current Metro employee, used a day of annual leave from his job at Metro to speak as a private citizen when he offered his testimony in strong support of Millicent D. Williams, acting director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, during her confirmation hearing. He was not representing Metro when he testified, nor did he ever indicate that he was representing Metro prior to, during or after his testimony. He spoke strictly as a private citizen.

He said that he believed Ms. Williams had the experience, skills and leadership to do the job well.

During the confirmation hearing, when asked a direct question from a Committee member as to what he would have done differently had he still been a D.C. government employee, a response was given. That response was his personal opinion and was not offered in his capacity as a current Metro employee. The newspaper’s attribution of the private citizen’s comments as being connected to the transit agency were false and misleading. The reporter erroneously attributed the citizen’s remarks as being representative of Metro’s opinions, which led to the article’s false impression that Metro was being critical of the District of Columbia’s snow-clearing efforts.

Metro officials have worked well with District officials during the recent snowstorms and continue to do so.

News release issued at 1:49 pm, February 19, 2010.

#37 KevinKorell

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Posted 24 February 2010 - 03:55 PM

For immediate release: February 24, 2010

Metro ready for winter weather tonight and Thursday
Winter-weather fighting equipment and personnel ready for inclement weather


Metro is preparing for expected snow fall of up to four inches that is in the forecast for tonight, Feb. 24, and Thursday, Feb. 25. Metrobus and MetroAccess service may be impacted by the weather, more so than Metrorail service.

Metrobus and MetroAccess service are only as reliable as road conditions allow, so passengers should expect possible detours and delays due to changing road conditions. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of the Next Bus prediction technology to get an idea when the next bus will arrive by logging onto Metro’s web site or calling 202-637-7000 and saying “Next Bus,” then entering the bus stop ID number. MetroAccess passengers with scheduled trips can call 301-562-5360 for a status update on their ride.

Metrorail is expected to operate very close to normal schedule. If necessary, Metro will run de-icer trains overnight. The third rail must be ice-free to allow the flow of electricity from the electrified rail to the train to keep the train powered.

Based on the forecast, Metro employees already have started to stage equipment and personnel to prepare for the inclement weather. Winter weather fighting equipment and supplies are on hand and being staged throughout the rail system to treat station entrances, parking lots, walkways and station platforms. Customers are advised to watch their step as wet tiles and steps may get slippery in the Metrorail system.

###

News release issued at 3:17 pm, February 24, 2010.



Kevin Korell


OTOL Board Leader


Lakewood, NJ





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