Metro Evening Commute: Expect Delays, WMATA Says

Commuters who take the Metro should prepare for a longer-than-expected commute home Monday, WMATA announced Monday afternoon.

Paul J. Wiedefeld, general manager and chief executive officer of the rail service, told commuters in an open letter Monday that after a rough morning commute, the evening commute could also be longer than normal.

The morning commute for those who take the Blue, Orange and Silver lines got off to a bad start Monday morning due to a fire that broke out in a tunnel outside McPherson Square Station; buses were called in to substitute for trains, trains bypassed stations to ease delays and Silver line trains were turned back at Ballston. Metro restored limited rail service using a single track between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle stations.

The fire damaged several cables that will need to be replaced Monday night in order to restore full service for Tuesday, Wiedefeld said. Repairs will start at 9 p.m., Monday night with rail service suspended on both tracks between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle.

Preparing for the evening commute

Single tracking will continue throughout Monday and will affect the evening commute, he said. "If you have the ability to consider alternate travel options today, I encourage you to do so."

Rail service plans for the rest of Monday are as follows:

• Blue and Orange line trains will continue to share a single track between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle during the afternoon and evening hours. This will result in delays in both directions. You should consider travel alternates if possible, such as the Yellow Line between DC and Virginia or Metrobus options if available.
• Silver Line trains will continue operating between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston only. Customers should use Orange Line trains to complete their trip between Virginia and DC.
• During the evening rush hour, Blue and Orange eastbound trains will skip Farragut West and McPherson Square to reduce delays. Listen for station announcements, check platform signs or sign up for MetroAlerts for details.
• Starting at 9 p.m., all rail service will be suspended in both directions between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle to allow for repairs. Metro will provide shuttle bus service between the affected stations.

Meanwhile, Metro is investigating the fire that caused all the delays. "We are working closely and cooperatively with the NTSB, FTA and DC Fire Department to determine the cause of this incident, and I will remain personally engaged in our response," Wiedefeld said in his letter. "I apologize for the delay, inconvenience and crowding you experienced this morning -- and that you may experience again later today. Be assured that as we respond to these matters as they arise, we continue to advance plans to improve safety and service reliability to reduce recurrences in the future."

PHOTO: Metro photo from Patch archive