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Tag: wmata

  • Bus driver befriends curious kid who’s now a fellow Metro employee – WTOP News

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    A young boy’s curiosity led to a career at Metro, thanks to the kindness of a bus driver who saw his potential.

    Sam, Joy, and Sam’s sister Lucy Mencimer on their tour of the Northern Bus Garage, 11 years ago.(Courtesy WMATA)

    When Sam Mencimer was 10 years old, he took the 54 bus from Takoma to L’Enfant Plaza daily. Every day, he would have a whole host of questions for bus driver Joy Kenley.

    And every day, Kenley would answer him as best as she could. Then, one day, she had an idea: “How about a tour of the bus garage?”

    “I was like, ‘yes, absolutely!’ I was over the moon!” said Mencimer, now 22. “As a 10-year-old, I thought that was the coolest thing ever.”

    Fast forward 11 years, and Mencimer is now all grown up with a college degree and working in Metro’s signal engineering division. Kenley, now a station manager, realized she and Mencimer had the same employer now.

    “I would think, ’11 years ago, and he found me.’ And I’m thinking, ‘He’s in a Metro uniform — awesome!’” Kenley said.

    A lot has changed since 2014.

    “The 54 bus, it would go from Takoma to, at the time, L’Enfant Plaza,” Mencimer said.

    That bus route has transformed into the D50 in Metro’s reshuffling of bus routes this year.

    Mencimer credited Kenley’s kindness and patience in showing him the ropes of a job he loves.

    “People always say if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. That’s how it is here,” Mencimer said. “And then I get to work with all these amazing people. So amazing.”

    “I’m very proud of him,” Kenley said. “I’m glad I had that impact on him. If I get a chance to do it again, I will.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • Metro GM says older rail equipment is ‘safe but not reliable long term’ – WTOP News

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    WMATA CEO Randy Clarke took WTOP on a tour of one of Metro’s oldest train control rooms, highlighting outdated technology that’s still powering the Red Line. Clarke stressed the need for funding toward modernization to ensure long-term reliability and safety.

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    Metro GM says older rail equipment is ‘safe but not reliable long term’

    On a tour of a Metro station’s train control room, General Manager and CEO of WMATA Randy Clarke looked around a room that seemed frozen in time, surrounded by equipment older than him.

    “We are currently like an 8-track system … we want to move to streaming,” Clarke said, comparing Metro’s technological advancement to audio. “The reality is we’ve got some antennas up, trying to get local channels.”

    Clarke noted that the trains are still safe, but the technology it runs on is “not reliable long term.”

    “We’ve got to adapt to the modern age. We got to use data center technology to get us to that high-reliability system,” he said.

    Out of Metro’s 165 train control rooms, the one at Farragut North is one of the oldest.

    “When you go in that room, you can see the old wiring, the old relays,” Clarke said.

    While standing in the room inside a tunnel in the station, you can hear the trains roaring by. The equipment looks like, if it was not being used by Metro, it would be part of an old railcar display in a museum.

    WMATA Chief Infrastructure Officer Theresa Impastato was also on the tour and said a lot of the equipment was so old, it was impossible to buy replacement parts.

    “Any repairs that need to be made have to be made in-house,” Impastato said.

    A “Special Order” tag attached to part of a signaling system at the Farragut North train control room. (WTOP/Jimmy Alexander)

    Metro employees remanufacture parts from old equipment

    One of the items in the room that Impastato pointed to looked like something Dr. Rudy Wells would have used on “The Six Million Dollar Man.”

    Most of the technology came from the original 1973 control room, Impastato said.

    “The Red Line moves more people than National Airport and Dulles Airport combined in a day,” Clarke said. “And this is the equipment that we are moving our trains through every single day.”

    Like a lot of us, Clarke said inflation has taken a toll on Metro financially.

    “We got dedicated funding in 2018 for $500 million … but that $500 million wasn’t indexed,” Clarke said. “So that $500 million is not worth $500 million today. In five more years, it will be worth even less.”

    Clarke said the indexing would ensure that Metro’s funding automatically increases along with cost of living.

    While he stressed that the older equipment is not unsafe, he doesn’t think it’s wise to wait until it all breaks.

    “We’re trying to be very proactive, being good stewards of the public money to say, ‘Let’s make sure that we’re ahead of critical failures,’” he said. “We need an infusion of capital dollars to really do the whole system.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jimmy Alexander

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  • Metro’s ‘BOLO Hunter’: Officer Kache Fields never forgets a face – WTOP News

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    Fields, a standout member of Metro Transit Police, has earned the nickname “BOLO Hunter” for her uncanny ability to recognize faces from wanted fliers.

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    Metro’s ‘BOLO Hunter’: Officer Kache Fields never forgets a face

    In the D.C. region, conversations often start with, “What do you do?” WTOP’s “Working Capital” series profiles the people whose jobs make the D.C. region run.

    If you’re wanted and a “Be On the Lookout” alert goes out for you, you better hope Officer Kache Fields isn’t the one who sees it.

    Fields, a standout member of Metro Transit Police, has earned the nickname “BOLO Hunter” for her uncanny ability to recognize faces from wanted fliers.

    With a photographic memory and a drive to serve, she’s helped crack over 1,000 cases across D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

    “I just put the BOLO photographs inside my brain. I have my own BOLO folder in there,” Fields said.

    Her talent doesn’t just help Metro. It’s solving crimes for other agencies in the region too.

    Assistant Chief Stephen Boehm said Fields’ talent is extraordinary.

    “We’re not only able to solve our crimes, we’re solving a lot of crimes for other agencies in this region,” Boehm said.

    Fields says she’s had this gift since childhood. She still remembers who took her favorite toy on the playground.

    “I still do. I sure do,” she joked.

    But she didn’t realize the full value of her memory until she joined Metro in 2018. Now, once she sees a wanted flier, the face is locked in.

    “When I’m out on patrol, it’s like I have a ‘That’s So Raven’ moment. The image just flashes in my mind, and I know that’s the person from the BOLO,” said Fields.

    Even if suspects try to change their appearance, Fields isn’t fooled.

    “If they change clothes, their face doesn’t change,” she said.

    Officer Kache Field has an uncanny ability to recognize faces from wanted fliers.
    (WTOP/Matt Kaufax)

    WTOP/Matt Kaufax

    Fields next to her cruiser.
    (WTOP/Mike Murillo)

    WTOP/Mike Murillo

    With a photographic memory and a drive to serve, she’s helped crack over 1,000 cases across D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
    She didn’t realize the full value of her memory until she joined Metro in 2018. Now, once she sees a wanted flier, the face is locked in.
    (WTOP/Mike Murillo)

    WTOP/Mike Murillo

    Before law enforcement, basketball was her passion for 17 years. Now, she says, it’s BOLOs.

    “Basketball was my niche. Now, it’s BOLOs. I just want to make my mark,” Fields said.

    What drives her every day is the impact she has on victims.

    “The gratitude of seeing so many victims smile when you give them the satisfaction of, ‘Hey, your case has been solved,’ means more than anything else in this world,” said Fields.

    She also hopes her story inspires others.

    “I’m a Black woman doing this in a male-dominated field, and I couldn’t be more thankful and blessed,” said Fields.

    And to those who end up on a BOLO?

    “No matter where you are, I’m going to find you, but I’ll treat you with respect,” said Fields.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Mike Murillo

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  • Metro outlines upcoming rail closures through fall 2026 – WTOP News

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    Metro has shared information on upcoming rail station closures for planned work from now through September 2026, with work impacting all lines of the rail network. 

    Metro has shared information on upcoming rail station closures for planned work through September 2026, with work impacting all lines of the transit system.

    The closures are part of improvement and maintenance efforts to improve the reliability and safety of the nearly 50 year old system, Metro said in a post on X. 

    Upcoming closures on the Red Line include Union Station to Rhode Island Avenue on Oct. 18 and 19 and Friendship Heights to North Bethesda from July 2026 to September 2026.

    Work at the Bethesda station will include connection to the upcoming Purple Line.

    Upcoming closures on the Green and Yellow lines include Hyattsville Crossing to Greenbelt on Dec. 6 and 7; U Street to Georgia Avenue will single track this winter; and Fort Totten to Greenbelt will be closed from Jan. 10 and 11, 2026.

    At the Crystal City Metro station, construction work to build a new entrance will take place over 10 weekends.

    Further closures are below:

    Click to enlarge. Metrorail closures from October 2025 to September 2026. (Courtesy WMATA)

    For more information on Metro service and shuttles, visit Metro’s website.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jeffery Leon

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  • National Week Without Driving challenges DC region to get out of our cars – WTOP News

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    Monday begins the National Week Without Driving, an effort to get people to park their cars and walk, bike and take public transportation.

    Monday begins the National Week Without Driving, an effort to get people to park their cars and walk, bike and take public transportation.

    But it’s not just an initiative to benefit the environment, organizers say it’s also a time to help people reflect on the barriers some still have in choosing public transportation.

    Thanks to strong local investment in sidewalks, bike and bus lanes, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the District stands out as one of the most livable cities in the U.S. D.C. offers some of the nation’s best public transit, a thriving bikeshare system and walkable neighborhoods that are relatively accessible to all.

    Yet, one advocacy group says both transit riders and drivers continue to pay a steep transportation time tax — the result of severe traffic congestion and a system that still underfunds and under-prioritizes non-car modes of travel.

    “The goal is to get public officials and members of the public to experience what life is like when driving is not an option,” said Kai Hall, policy manager for Greater Greater Washington.

    According to its website, his advocacy group works to “inform, engage and influence both the public and policy makers to advance racial, economic, and environmental justice in land use, transportation, and housing” around the D.C. region.

    Greater Greater Washington is working with the D.C. Transportation Equity Network to coordinate National Week Without Driving in the D.C. area and to influence leaders to participate.

    Hall said 40% of District residents don’t drive.

    “That’s nearly 280,000 people,” he said. “Even though we have one of the best transit systems in the country, there are still barriers for people to access the options they need to go about their daily life.”

    Hall estimated it takes an average of at least two-and-a-half times longer to take public transit than to drive. He said that’s because D.C.’s overall system was designed to accommodate the individual motorist rather than focusing on mass transit.

    “There’s a huge disparity in how people’s time is valued in our system,” Hall said.

    For thousands of D.C. residents, driving isn’t an option — whether due to age, disability or the high cost of car ownership.

    Hall encourages area residents to participate in the National Week Without Driving, which runs Sept. 29 to Oct. 5, by signing up online.

    Participants can share their experiences on social media using #WeekWithoutDriving, send reflections for a post-week blog or keep a transit diary.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Alan Etter

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  • Metro watchdog group concerned over rise in Metrorail door incidents – WTOP News

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    A Metro watchdog group said there has been a rise in the number of Metrorail door incidents, adding that Metro is taking steps to address the situation.

    A Metro watchdog group is reporting a rise in the number of incidents in which Metrorail train doors open either on the wrong side of the train, or in a place where it’s not safe for riders to exit.

    The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission found that, as of Sept. 1, there were 27 incidences where an “improper door event” took place and was reported “by Metrorail to the WMSC” this year. Compared to 2024, the figure marked an increase of 12 events.

    Details released on the incidents highlighted that four of the mishaps were reported at the Pentagon, Rockville, Bethesda, and Franconia-Springfield stations.

    In a statement to 7News, Metro said it was taking steps to address the situation, which includes the launch of Metrorail’s Automatic Door Operation system.

    The agency also underscored that the issues only occurred on an extremely small percentage of door openings. “27 incorrect door operations represent 0.000002% of the 13 million door operations we perform every year,” it said.

    Other steps taken to address the issue included a “refresher training” for employees who were involved in the incidents to ensure staff know the rules and procedures related to doors.

    The latest comes over a month after the watchdog released a study that revealed Metro’s radio communication system proved unreliable.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Pablo Rouco

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  • Metro on pace for ‘lowest crime year ever,’ says GM – WTOP News

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    Metro general manager Randy Clarke said the transit agency is “at an eight-year crime low, and we’re actually on pace to the lowest crime year we’ve ever had.”

    Proposed platform screen doors integrated with
    signal system on new automated Metrorail trains. (Courtesy WMATA)

    Metro general manager Randy Clarke said the transit agency is “at an eight-year crime low, and we’re actually on pace to the lowest crime year we’ve ever had.”

    Clarke addressed the Metro board of directors Thursday, a few days after Metro released its FY2025 Annual Service Excellence Report, which showed crime across the system fell by 43% between June 2024 and June 2025.

    The biggest drop was in car thefts at stations, which were down nearly 60%. Larceny cases fell by 33%, while robbery and assault each dropped by more than 20%. This continues a downward trend that began in 2023, with overall crime now down 50% compared to two years ago.

    “We clearly want zero crime, society wants zero crime,” Clarke said, saying protecting passengers, employees, and property will be ongoing priorities. “The job is never going to be done.”

    Clarke said improved safety against crime, “Quite frankly, its probably the indicators of why our ridership has come back so much at our system, is because people feel safe on the system.”

    Meanwhile, ridership is on the rise, partially fueled by the return-to-office push in the D.C. area. Metro recorded 264 million trips over the past fiscal year, which is a 9% increase.

    What can be done to improve on-time performance

    The board discussed findings of recent dips in on-time performance for both Metrorail and Metrobus.

    According to Tom Webster, Metro’s chief planning and performance officer, “There is a limit to our 1970s technology, and all the human factors that go into providing service,” in addition to “customer human factors as they ride our system.”

    He told the board, “The next big leap in on-time performance in rail is reinvestment in Metro’s signaling system, to replace the legacy, 1970s technology — that is going to take a substantial capital investment by the region.”

    On the bus side, Webster said the biggest fundamental challenge is congestion on area roads.

    “The next level would be investment in infrastructure and technology to prioritize bus on roadways, particularly where we have high ridership, high frequency, high capacity service, that is competing with single-occupancy vehicles, and parked cars that slow our buses down,” Webster said.

    Asked for an example of intermediate steps Metro has taken to improve bus performance, Webster cited its partnership in the District’s 11th St NW Bus Priority project, from Pennsylvania Avenue to L Street.

    The painted bus lanes reduce the need of buses to merge out of and into traffic, while picking up riders.

    “It’s a tactical approach that does speed up buses,” said Webster.

    Other infrastructure and technology improvements would involve transit signal priority — technology that synchronizes a region’s traffic signals, to give priority to mass transit vehicles: “It allows buses to move faster through congested areas and intersections that tend to get bogged down in traffic.”

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Neal Augenstein

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  • The longest metro escalator has an even longer wait time – WTOP News

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    Some D.C.-area commuters have no choice but to factor in extra time to wait on an escalator. Like, at the Wheaton Metro station, where the escalator extends to 230 feet.

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    The longest metro escalator has an even longer wait time

    Some commuters in the D.C. area have to factor in the time it takes just to wait on an escalator to get to their train. But, that’s because it’s the longest escalator in the Western Hemisphere, and it’s in Wheaton, Maryland.

    Residents in the region have to wait roughly 2 minutes and 54 seconds when riding the escalator down to the platform of The Wheaton Metro station.

    Metro said the station’s escalator is the longest in the system, measuring at a whopping 230 feet.

    To give some perspective, it is a little more than half as long as the pyramid of Giza.

    “Every time I take this escalator I have to get here five minutes early,” Jelani Blakey told WTOP as he was about to hop on.

    Blakey had no idea the escalator holds the title of being the longest in the Western Hemisphere.

    “That’s crazy,” he said “ It’s amazing. I’m glad we do, though. It gives us something to be known for.”

    Gerry Champa, however, knew it was the longest in the New World. “Other ones from Metro are also long,” he said.

    The second-longest escalator is at the Bethesda station – also one of the longest in America – and it stretches out to 212 feet, according to WMATA.

    Some hustle up and down the escalator to get where they’re going faster, but others use the opportunity to scroll.

    “You get on your cellphone,” Blakey joked.

    Champa said she likes to go with the flow and either check messages or people watch.

    Others, however, don’t even want to stand the whole time.

    Mark Williams said he had to take a seat on the escalator during his trip. “It’s a long ride,” he said.

    Williams did point out that Metro does have signs asking commuters not to sit down but, “It’s a little scary on the way up and a little scary on the way down.”

    Now, while it takes a long time to ride it every day, the real problem is when it stops running and you have to make that hike to the top.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Luke Lukert

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  • Metro sees big gains in safety and ridership over past year – WTOP News

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    As Metro wraps up a yearlong review of its service, the transit agency is reporting two major wins: a sharp drop in crime and a steady rise in ridership.

    As Metro wraps up a yearlong review of its service, the transit agency is reporting two major wins: a sharp drop in crime and a steady rise in ridership.

    According to Metro’s newly released FY2025 Annual Service Excellence Report, crime across the system fell by 43% between June 2024 and June 2025. The biggest drop was in car thefts at stations, which were down nearly 60%. Larceny cases fell by 33%, while robbery and assault each dropped by more than 20%.

    This continues a downward trend that began in 2023, with overall crime now down 50% compared to two years ago.

    Metro credits the improvement to several key efforts, which include more visible police and staff on trains and platforms, expanded use of surveillance cameras to solve cases and data-driven deployment of officers. Crisis intervention teams also played a role, helping to de-escalate more than 30,000 situations involving individuals in crisis.

    Also last year, Metro introduced new fare gates aimed at preventing fare evasion on trains. Combined with stepped-up fare enforcement, including nearly 20,000 enforcement actions, these efforts are being credited for declining crime rates.

    Ridership on the upswing

    Meanwhile, ridership is on the rise, partially fueled by the return-to-office push in the D.C. area. Metro recorded 264 million trips over the past fiscal year, which is a 9% increase.

    The report also provides a look at Metrorail’s new “Tap. Ride. Go” system, which allows riders to pay a fare by tapping a credit card at the fare gate. Early numbers for the payment system, which was rolled out in May, show it was used for 7% of weekday trips and 13% of weekend trips.

    This year, Metro also implemented automatic train control on all lines, and since the switch was flipped on, the agency said the system is shaving an average of 51 seconds off each trip.

    Some of the areas Metro looks to improve include bus system reliability, with buses being twice as likely to be late than early to a stop. Metro said the afternoon rush hour played a big role in that, but so did a bus driver shortage. Metro plans to address the shortage by hiring 560 bus operators in the coming months.

    While seeing a rise in the use of the MetroAccess system for users with disabilities, the agency also saw satisfaction among users drop from 84% to 78%. Metro said the transition to a new contracting model used last year is to blame for the drop in on-time performance for MetroAccess. It has added a new provider to the mix to help meet demand.

    Metro said the number of riders dissatisfied with safety on the rail system is also going down, from 17% last year to 9% this year. On buses, that number is down from 15% to 13%.

    The report will be presented to Metro’s board during a meeting on Sept. 11.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Mike Murillo

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  • It’s the home stretch for Metro riders impacted by monthslong eastern Red Line closure – WTOP News

    It’s the home stretch for Metro riders impacted by monthslong eastern Red Line closure – WTOP News

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    Metro stops at Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring, which have been shutdown since June, are scheduled to be back open in the coming weeks.

    Signs on the ground, telling riders where to stand for shuttle buses. (WTOP/Nick Iannelli)

    Now that it’s August, relief is in sight for Metrorail riders who’ve been impacted by the monthslong closure of four stations on the Red Line.

    The Metro stops at Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring have been shutdown since the start of June, but they are scheduled to be back open in the coming weeks.

    “I know this month is the last month,” said resident Corey Page, as he waited for a shuttle bus to pick him up on Georgia Avenue outside the Wheaton Metro station. “I’m sure it’s going to be easier because the train goes right there.”

    The stations are scheduled to be closed through Aug. 31, and a Metro spokesperson confirmed to WTOP on Friday that the stations are “projected to reopen on schedule.”

    Riders who typically use the now-closed stations have had to find workarounds, including using those shuttle buses provided by Metro.

    Chase Brown said that has made his commutes longer.

    “It adds about 30 minutes each way,” Brown said. “I have to get up a little earlier or get prepared a little earlier.”

    Audrey Maran said it adds “more time than usual” for her commutes, too.

    “I’m definitely looking forward to having the Metro back,” said Maran.

    During the closure, construction work is being done at the Silver Spring station in order to connect it to a future station for the Purple Line, a light-rail line that will eventually have 21 stations between New Carrollton and Bethesda, connecting Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

    “I’m happy they’re doing the work they’ve been doing, but at the same time, it’ll be nice to get back to normal,” said Brown.

    Metro said it decided to close additional Red Line stations along with Silver Spring in order to carry out other maintenance, repairs and improvements.

    “This allows Metro to utilize a singular outage over three months, rather than more than eight months of weekend closures and disruptions if the work were done individually in shorter segments,” according to Metro.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Nick Iannelli

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  • Metro services running, website and call center down due to global computer system outage – WTOP News

    Metro services running, website and call center down due to global computer system outage – WTOP News

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    The region’s largest transit agency says it is still experiencing delays in some of its services — including its website — as its deals with the impact of a global computer system outage. 

    Listen live to WTOP for the latest traffic updates on the 8s.

    The region’s largest transit agency says it is still experiencing delays in some of its services — including its website — as its deals with the impact of a global computer system outage.

    In an updated post on X at 5:45 a.m. Friday, WMATA said all its Metrorail stations opened on time and service will be running as scheduled. It added that bus service is operating as scheduled and only five routes are experience delays unrelated to the outage.

    In an earlier post before 5 a.m., the agency said trains were indefinitely delayed and bus times may also be delayed due to the computer system issue.

    Metro’s website and service alerts are down.

    “This WMATA application or website is under maintenance and not available at this time,” a message displayed on its home page said. “We apologize for any inconvenience as we work to improve our services.”

    The MetroAccess call center also remains down, but the transportation agency says customers that made accessibility reservations in advance will still be contacted if their trip is affected.

    A widespread Microsoft outage is disrupting flights, banks, media outlets and companies around the world on Friday. The escalating issues are continuing hours after the technology company said it was gradually fixing an issue affecting access to Microsoft 365 apps and services.

    This is a developing story. Stick with WTOP for the latest.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Emily Venezky

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  • Metro avoids drastic cuts, but fares are going up in new, nearly $5B budget – WTOP News

    Metro avoids drastic cuts, but fares are going up in new, nearly $5B budget – WTOP News

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    Metro fares will soon be going up as part of the $4.8 billion budget approved Thursday by the WMATA Board of Directors.

    Metro fares will soon be going up as part of the $4.8 billion budget approved Thursday by the WMATA Board of Directors.

    This budget, which goes into effect July 1, avoids drastic service cuts the transit agency proposed in December when it said it faced a $750 million deficit. But to help bring in more revenue, fares will increase by 12.5%. That means the base fare will go up from $2 to $2.25, while the maximum fare jumps up from $6 to $6.75. Metro Access fares will also rise to $4.50.

    Metro is also freezing hiring and wages, cutting administrative costs by $50 million and moving $181 million over from its preventive maintenance fund. The rest of the gap is being closed with a combined $463 million in funding promised by D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

    Only Maryland has actually passed its budget with its contribution included. Earlier in April, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin removed the state’s funding from his budget proposal, putting its inclusion in the final version into question.

    Nevertheless, Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke thanked the three jurisdictions in a statement.

    “This region is a great place to live, work and play, and our recent ridership reflects the vital role Metro plays in getting people where they need to go,” Clarke said.

    As the board passed the budget, multiple members noted the region needs to find a more reliable way to fund the transit agency or it will end up facing more deficits in the future.

    “It’s a choice that’s not perfect,” board member Joe McAndrew said. “Until there’s an adequate funding source for WMATA long term, it will never be perfect. So to that point, we’ve done our bit. We’ve got ourselves a year, maybe two.”

    Board member Matt Letourneau called for Metro to develop a reserve fund.

    “We don’t have that here. Most of our peer organizations do and certainly the jurisdictions do,” Letourneau said. “When money is saved, we can keep it and we can put it in a reserve fund to enable us to get through the inevitable things that are going to happen.”

    Metro’s board will hold a joint meeting with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments next month, where finding financial stability for the system will be discussed.

    The board also hired Michelle Zamarin as its next inspector general Thursday.

    Zamarin currently works as litigation counsel at the Securities and Exchange Commission. Before that, she spent 20 years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, most recently overseeing its prosecution of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. She will join WMATA in June.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Jacob Kerr

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  • Metro unveils plan to dampen impact of summer Red Line work that will shut down 5 stations – WTOP News

    Metro unveils plan to dampen impact of summer Red Line work that will shut down 5 stations – WTOP News

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    Metro has announced free shuttle service and other mitigation efforts to help riders affected by the shutdown of five Red Line stations this summer.

    Metro says free shuttle buses traveling in special bus-only lanes through parts of Montgomery County, Maryland, will help riders affected by the shutdown of five Red Line stations this summer.

    The Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring stations will be closed from June 1 through Aug. 31. The Takoma station will be closed from June 1 through June 29.

    To help riders get around, Metro will roll out four free shuttle routes during the entire closure. A local shuttle will stop at each station between Glenmont and Fort Totten, running every four minutes during peak times and every eight minutes all other times. Metro estimates that route will be 61 minutes long.

    The “Limited 1” shuttle will include stops at Glenmont, Wheaton and Fort Totten, with an estimated travel time of 37 minutes and the same shuttle frequency as the local route.

    The “Limited 2” shuttle will stop at Forest Glenn, Silver Spring and Fort Totten. Metro said the Limited 2 will run just as often as the local and Limited 1, and estimated the route will take 25 minutes.

    On weekdays only, Metro will also run an express shuttle that will run between Silver Spring and Metro Center, with no other stops. The express route will run every eight minutes at all times and is expected to a be a 39-minute trip.

    To prioritize these buses, Metro has partnered with the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration to create more than seven miles of bus-only lanes along parts of Georgia Avenue between Glenmont and Silver Spring. Signal timing will also adjust to prioritize buses.

    In D.C., parts of 16th and I Streets in Northwest will be posted as Emergency No Parking from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays to help the express shuttle get around quickly.

    Metro provided the following maps to illustrate the shuttle routes, dedicated bus lanes and parking restrictions:

    (Courtesy Metro)

    Courtesy Metro

    (Courtesy Metro)

    Courtesy Metro

    (Courtesy Metro)

    Courtesy Metro

    The Maryland Transit Administration is also offering discounted fares on MARC Trains and buses from stops close to impacted Red Line stations, according to Metro.

    The Red Line stations are closing in coordination with the MTA Purple Line project, during which a new mezzanine will be built to connect the upcoming light rail line to Metro at the Silver Spring platform. Since that will already shut down Silver Spring for several months, Metro planned additional work there and at surrounding stations for the same time.

    The transit agency said crews will perform rail renewal, tunnel leak mitigation, elevator and escalator maintenance and install new digital signage, along with other improvements.

    As for the rest of the Red Line, trains will run every 6 minutes all day, including during rush hours when trains normally run every 5 minutes, due to capacity limitations at Fort Totten and Takoma, Metro said. After 9:30 p.m., trains will run every 10 minutes as normally scheduled.

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    Thomas Robertson

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  • Grant money available for small businesses on two changing Prince George’s Co. corridors – WTOP News

    Grant money available for small businesses on two changing Prince George’s Co. corridors – WTOP News

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    Small businesses trying to survive, or thrive, amidst all the upheaval might be eligible for new grant money opening up next week.

    Alexander Austin of the Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce (left), Jermaine Johnson of PNC Bank, Tonia Wellons of the GWCF, and David Iannucci of the Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (center).(WTOP/John Domen)

    The changes and disruptions on the Purple Line corridor have been grueling, and seemingly never-ending. Soon, big changes are in the works along the Blue Line corridor too. Small businesses trying to survive, or thrive, amidst all the upheaval might be eligible for new grant money opening up next week.

    On Monday, the Greater Washington Community Foundation will begin accepting applications from small businesses for grants up to $20,000.

    “It is for businesses that are 10 or fewer people, $5 million or less in terms of revenue,” said Tonia Wellons, the president and CEO of the foundation, which announced the grant through a $500,000 donation from PNC Bank on Thursday. “The grant is to really help improve the economic vitality … and improve business performance for small businesses.”

    Businesses also need to be at least three years old, and priority will be given to owners in low to moderately low-income parts of the Blue and Purple Line corridors. The grant money can be used to help cover capital improvement costs, operational costs or other infrastructure needs that might exist.

    Qualifications needed to apply to the GWCF’s small business grants. (WTOP/John Domen)

    Wellons expects it’ll be a competitive process and that not every business that’s eligible will be selected, she said. Those that are eligible will have to make a compelling case.

    “We know that along the Purple Line, there’s a lot of construction right now. Those businesses are really having a tough time making it,” Wellons said. “They get to make the case around how this investment can help them manage through the construction process, to be able to survive and benefit once the construction is complete.”

    The case is different for the businesses along the Blue Line corridor, she said.

    “That development is in the making now,” Wellons said. “Now they really get to bolster their businesses so as that corridor is developing, they can benefit.”

    Jermaine Johnson, the D.C.-area regional president for PNC Bank, said it was a chance to work with small and minority-owned businesses in a manner they don’t often get to do.

    “It can be very difficult with the regulatory guidelines that we have as a big bank,” Johnson said. “These are entrepreneurs, early stage companies that traditionally wouldn’t have access to a bank like PNC. And through these funds, we can provide that access.”

    When the program launches Monday, businesses will have until May 13 to apply for the grants.

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    John Domen

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  • Teen girl dies in ‘train surfing incident’ near Silver Spring Metro station – WTOP News

    Teen girl dies in ‘train surfing incident’ near Silver Spring Metro station – WTOP News

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    A teen girl died Friday morning in an “apparent train surfing incident” near the Silver Spring Metro station, according to the transit agency.

    A teen girl died Friday morning in an “apparent train surfing incident” near the Silver Spring Metro station, according to the transit agency.

    Train surfing is defined as riding on the outside or on top of a moving railcar.

    “We are deeply saddened to learn that a teenage girl lost her life this morning while riding outside of a train car en route to the Silver Spring station. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family,” Metro said in a statement.

    There are delays between the Silver Spring and Forest Glen Station as the investigation continues.

    “Riding outside of a train is dangerous, illegal, and highly likely to lead to severe injury or death. Signage is posted on bulkhead doors between railcars warning customers that walking between railcars is dangerous and prohibited unless in an emergency,” Metro’s statement read.

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    Thomas Robertson

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