Metro Spillgate Scandal Takes Shocking Turn

We recently brought you a scandal within the Metro system that threatens to rock the agency to its core: a spill on the platform at the Shady Grove station on the Red Line that looks like it could be vomit. But there has been a shocking development in the case since then.

It was Twitter user Rob Matuga who first brought the spill to WMATA's attention on July 26:

@wmata Do station managers inspect platforms? This spill (vomit?) has been at Shady Grove for 2 weeks! @unsuckdcmetro @dcmetrosucks pic.twitter.com/PAulmWF5jo
— Rob Matuga (@robmatuga) July 26, 2017

Stunned by the scene, Metro leadership sprang into action, and within a period of just 14 hours, the problem was solved ... WMATA-style.

@wmata @Metrorailinfo UNBELIEVABLE! This is the solution to a platform spill reported 14 hours ago?! @unsuckdcmetro @dcmetrosucks pic.twitter.com/wLVMBz5vQW
— Rob Matuga (@robmatuga) July 27, 2017

Metro swiftly responded to allegations they weren't taking Spillgate seriously, arguing that in fact the spill had to be pressure-washed "after revenue hours."

When Matuga told them to stop making excuses and get a mop, Metro demurred.

"It is not a liquid spill, so it could not be removed with normal cleaning procedures," Metro tweeted.

That seemed to settle the situation. Finally, Metro's Spillgate nightmare would soon be over.

But as it turns out, rumors of the spill's imminent demise had been greatly exaggerated. Matuga tweeted on Wednesday that there had been a sudden twist in Spillgate.

Sorry, I can't let this one go after 2 weeks. Absolutely sums up @wmata: spill; response; half-ass cleanup! @unsuckdcmetro @dcmetrosucks pic.twitter.com/ZpPwRNxXvm
— Rob Matuga (@robmatuga) August 3, 2017

Metro again sprang into action, and promised again to "reach out to our Plant Maintenance team."

Until then, the spill lives on to fight another day.

Image via Wikimedia user Ben Schumin