Metro Delays Start Soon: What Are Your Options?

NEW CARROLLTON, MD — In just a couple of weeks, Metro’s Orange Line will have station closings planned that are likely to make the commute even more painful for Prince George’s County residents.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will begin major repairs to improve safety and reliability on Metrorail -- a plan they’ve dubbed SafeTrack – starting June 4. And WMATA officials are worried that commuters still haven’t come up with a plan for how to get around while the work is under way.

Station closures, single tracking, longer delays between trains, and changes in hours of service will all gum up travel around the region.

Beginning Friday, June 3, Metrorail will close at midnight, seven days a week, to allow for a longer window each night for necessary repairs. The work is being done in phases or what they’re calling surges.

During the second surge, riders of the Orange Line, originating in New Carrollton, will be heavily affected. The Stadium-Armory station and the Potomac Avenue station on the Orange line will be completely closed between June 18 and July 3.

Metro bus shuttle service will be provided around the closed stations, but Metro officials encourage riders to user alternate transportation during the station closures, such as carpools, vanpools, commuter buses, MARC trains (which will not be affected by the track work), and teleworking.

• For more information on these changes, check the WMATA website at www.wmata.com/safetrack.
• You can also keep up with the services changes by signing up for Metro alerts at www.metroalerts.info.
• Visit the Commuter Connections website at www.commuterconnections.org for information about commuting alternatives.

Metro Repair Overview

SafeTrack is a yearlong plan to improve safety and reliability on the Metrorail system. The plan puts safety first by completing more track work and prioritizing the most needed repairs. In addition, 15 planned “Safety Surges” throughout the year will cause segments of rail lines to be shut down or experience continuous single tracking for extended periods.

The 15 Safety Surges (listed below on this page) are major track work projects that will lead to continuous single tracking or complete shutdowns of certain line segments. This will severely impact both casual riders and regular commuters on these lines.

There will be increased track work on nights, weekends and during some rush hours. Always check wmata.comand sign up for MetroAlerts to “know before you go.”

Beginning Friday, and throughout the duration of SafeTrack, Metrorail will close at midnight, 7 days a week. The last train may depart your station before midnight, so checkwmata.com/stationsfor information.

These are major service disruptions that will cause crowding and delays. Although some shuttle bus service will be provided during shutdowns, you should consider alternate travel options during Safety Surges that affect your line.

Plan Ahead and Know Your Commuting Options

Due to reduced capacity and expected longer travel times, Metrorail riders are encouraged to consider using alternate travel options while safety surge work is scheduled on their line. Trains and platforms are expected to be extremely crowded during peak periods and customers may experience extended delays.

Carpooling 

Call or visit Ride Smart to find potential carpool riders in your neighborhood; use interstate Express Lanes for FREE with 3 people in a car (you’ll need an Express Lanes E-ZPass Flex transponder, though); or use Prince George’s County’s vanpooling program for your commute; for more information call 301.883.5656.

Park-and-Rides 

Use these public parking areas to park your car and meet a carpool, vanpool, or catch a bus. Find Park & Rides in Prince George’s County; 13 are free.

Guaranteed Ride Home 

Sign up for Commuter Connections’ Guaranteed Ride Home program, which provides an emergency ride home to those who rideshare or take bus or rail transit.

TheBus 

Prince George's County provides TheBus, a County bus service meeting local transportation needs by providing 27 routes, covering over 10,000 miles. TheBus operates Monday through Friday.

Commuting by Bike 

Check out Prince George’s County’s network of bike paths and trails to reach your destination. Review the links below for more information about each surge project and potential impacts on your commute.

PHOTO of Metro from Patch archive