Sunday, April 14, 2013
The Washington Post reports on Metro's $10 million plan to test future design concepts at the Bethesda station.
New prototype design concepts at the Bethesda Metro will cost $10 million, and the "much brighter" station could happen by mid-2015, The Washington Post reported. Patch broke the news last month that Bethesda has been selected for the "Model Station of the Future" pilot project. The concepts tested at Bethesda may be used system-wide in the future, according to a Metro statement. Metro General Manager Richard Sarles told The Washington Post that the design changes would update elements of Metro's "outdated ’70s brown look" in favor of an "updated, 21st-century look.” The new look at Bethesda, which was chosen because of its pending escalator replacement project and design elements that make the station difficult to illuminate, could …
Friday, April 12, 2013
On Thursday, Metro revealed details about its plan to test design concepts at Bethesda that could be used system-wide.
Metro on Thursday unveiled a video simulation and new details surrounding its plan to use the Bethesda station to pilot new design concepts as a part of its strategic plan, "Momentum." Patch broke the news last month that Bethesda has been selected for the "Model Station of the Future" pilot project. The concepts tested at Bethesda may be used system-wide in the future, according to a Metro statement. The pilot program will bring "improved lighting, better information and improved customer convenience" to the station. According to Metro, some of the new concepts being considered include: “The National Capital Region is growing at an accelerated rate,” Metro General Manager Richard Sarles said in the statement. “It is imperative that we do …
Have you enjoyed Metro's track work-free weekends these past few weeks? This weekend will be the last one for a while.
Metro takes a break from its rigorous weekend track work schedule during the cherry blossom season, according to a Metro news statement. This year, the break has occurred on four consecutive weekends. This weekend—April 13 and 14—is the last weekend for the "spring break." "The only planned weekend work during that time will take place late Sunday evenings, when ridership is light," Metro reported. "While the work we do almost every weekend is necessary to get the system back to a steady state of safety and reliability, we are in a position where we can take a short break to let everyone enjoy the season," Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles said in the statement. "The spring break will give people an opportunity to experience the…
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Metro today revealed details about its plan to test design concepts at Bethesda that could be used system-wide.
Metro today unveiled a video simulation and new details surrounding their plan to use the Bethesda station to pilot new design concepts as a part of its strategic plan, "Momentum." Patch broke the news last month that Bethesda has been selected for the "Model Station of the Future' pilot project. The concepts tested at Bethesda may be used system-wide in the future, according to a Metro statement. The pilot program will bring "improved lighting, better information and improved customer convenience" to the station. According to Metro, some of the new concepts being considered include: “The National Capital Region is growing at an accelerated rate,” Metro General Manager Richard Sarles said in the statement. “It is imperative that we do …
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
A confluence of sporting events, the cherry blossom peak bloom and a rally on Capitol Hill will make for crowded stations and trains.
Metro advises customers to expect crowded stations and cars during the afternoon and evening rush hours as several large events overlap with Wednesday's rush hour. A Metro advisory lists the following events that may impact travel Wednesday: The transit agency advises riders to make sure their SmarTrip cards or fare cards are purchased and loaded prior to rush hour to avoid lines. Metro will be operating additional eight-car trains in the afternoon to accommodate crowds attending the rally and will also run extra trains on the Green line to get fans to the Washington Nationals game. Additionally, Metro suggests customers avoid the following stations, if possible: • Capitol South (consider Eastern Market or Federal Center SW as alternates…
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Metro will spend $6.5 million to triple the number of surveillance cameras in rail cars as part of a new security system.
Metro plans to triple the number of surveillance cameras throughout the Metrorail system—increasing the number of cameras to about 6,000—and will install them inside Metro rail cars for the first time ever, according to The Washington Examiner. The expansion could cost an estimated $6.5 million, only some of which would come from federal grants, according to The Examiner. How do you feel about having more surveillance cameras on Metro? Do you have any concerns about privacy? Is it a good use of operating funds? Tell us in the comments. "We have no greater responsibility than protecting the safety of our customers, visitors and employees," Metro spokesman Philip Stewart told The Examiner. "To that end, we are in the process of deploying a …
No work is scheduled for Metrorail tracks and stations this weekend, and Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. on Sunday for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run.
Metro takes a break from its rigorous weekend track work schedule during the cherry blossom season, according to a Metro news statement. This year, the break occurs on four consecutive weekends. The remaining two weekends are April 6 to 7 and April 13 to 14. "The only planned weekend work during that time will take place late Sunday evenings, when ridership is light," Metro reported. "While the work we do almost every weekend is necessary to get the system back to a steady state of safety and reliability, we are in a position where we can take a short break to let everyone enjoy the season," Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles said in the statement. "The spring break will give people an opportunity to experience the type of …
Friday, April 5, 2013
No work is scheduled for Metrorail tracks and stations this weekend, and Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. on Sunday for the Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Run.
Metro takes a break from its rigorous weekend track work schedule during the cherry blossom season, according to a Metro news statement. This year, the break occurs on four consecutive weekends. The remaining two weekends are April 6 to 7 and April 13 to 14. "The only planned weekend work during that time will take place late Sunday evenings, when ridership is light," Metro reported. "While the work we do almost every weekend is necessary to get the system back to a steady state of safety and reliability, we are in a position where we can take a short break to let everyone enjoy the season," Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles said in the statement. "The spring break will give people an opportunity to experience the type of system…
Monday, April 1, 2013
Metro says that system-wide capability is not possible until 2015, but the Congressional deadline is Sept. 30 of this year.
Metro got a break this week on its Congressional deadline to install cellphone service system-wide: A continuing resolution pushed the due date from March 30 to Sept. 30, The Washington Examiner reported. But don't get your hopes up, as Metro has said that system-wide service will not happen until December 2015. Among other requirements to continue receiving $150 million in federal funding each year, Metro is supposed to offer cell phone service throughout the transit system. Metro's 20 busiest stations were wired for Internet service in 2009, but many tunnels between stations and many stations still do not have cell phone or Internet service capabilities. Currently AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless have mixed levels of service…
Metro says that system-wide capability is not possible until 2015, but the Congressional deadline is Sept. 30 of this year.
Metro got a break this week on its Congressional deadline to install cellphone service system-wide: A continuing resolution pushed the due date from March 30 to Sept. 30, The Washington Examiner reported. But don't get your hopes up, as Metro has said that system-wide service will not happen until December 2015. Among other requirements to continue receiving $150 million in federal funding each year, Metro is supposed to offer cell phone service throughout the transit system. Metro's 20 busiest stations were wired for Internet service in 2009, but many tunnels between stations and many stations still do not have cell phone or Internet service capabilities. Currently AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless have mixed levels of service …
jag
12:00 am on Saturday, April 13, 2013
Funny that everyone is complaining about escalator breakdowns when that's exactly what's being replaced. All of the upgrades sound great - new escalators, new fare gates, more fare gates, better lighting and signage...it takes a real whiner to find fault in such things. more ›