Metro Surge 11 Nightmare Begins in Reston, Here's What to Do

RESTON, VA — It's here. Metro Surge No. 11, perhaps the most brutal and difficult "Surge" of them all, begins Monday and will last until four days before Christmas, snarling commutes on the Orange and Silver Lines and leaving Reston residents waiting 20 minutes for a train, and then crammed in like sardines once one actually arrives.

So what does the new "Surge" actually mean for commuters? It means there will be continuous single-tracking between the East and West Falls Church stations. Since the East Falls Church station is on the Silver Line, that will mean backups all the way down the line to Reston-Wiehle East.

"Silver Line trains will run every 20 minutes between Wiehle-Reston East and Largo Town Center," Metro says on its website. "Expect crowding on all Orange/Silver line trains."

The problems are expected to be so bad that Metro suggests that riders look for other forms of transportation for the next month, and avoid traveling at rush hour. Metro is calling it a "severe reduction in service."

And if you use Metro on weekends, be aware that train frequencies could change. That has meant entire line segment shutdowns in past Surges.

So what are your options if you rely on Metro and don't have a car? Fairfax County has set up a page just for commuters in Reston and the rest of the county to help you out.

One option is ridesharing. You can call or visit Commuter Connections to find carpool riders in your area. For resources to help you, click here.

Other options include bus connections, Virginia Railway Express and commuting by bike. Fairfax County has detailed information about all of those options here.

Fairfax Connector will provide some supplemental express service on existing routes or on rush-hour shuttles during safety surges in the county.

Image via WMATA