Metro News Release
For immediate release: October 3, 2007
Metro adds rail cars during rush hours on the Blue and Yellow Lines
All Blue and Yellow Line trains now operating with six cars
Blue and Yellow Line Metrorail riders are enjoying comfort and extra space as the transit authority just added 18 new rail cars to the fleet, allowing the operation of all six-car trains during the morning and afternoon rush hours.
Metro converted seven, four-car Blue Line trains and one four-car Yellow Line train into six-car trains during regular rush hours.
“I will no longer be blue on the Blue Line and the Yellow Line is finally getting its due,” said Dana Kauffman, Metro Board member representing Fairfax County.
Metro is operating 800 rail cars during the morning and afternoon rush hours each weekday. It’s the first time in the agency’s 31-year history that 800 cars are available for service each day.
“The additional rail cars will provide greater capacity and welcome relief for people traveling on these lines in Northern Virginia,” said Chris Zimmerman, Metro Board member representing Arlington County.
“With the additional cars operating on the Blue and Yellow Lines, we can now carry up to300 additional passengers per train,” said John Catoe, Metro’s General Manager. “The additional capacity will go a long way in offering a viable and welcome alternative to driving, especially for our riders in Northern Virginia and Prince George’s County.”
The placement of these 18 rail cars into the fleet was possible due to the addition of Metro’s newest rail cars, the 6000 series rail cars. So far, Metro has 116 of these new rail cars in service, and continues to test new cars each weekday. Metro expects to have all 184 of these new cars in service in early 2008.
The new 6000 series rail cars have a slightly modified look, including additional overhead and seat back-to-ceiling handrails and fewer windscreens. The floor to ceiling poles were removed to eliminate obstructions in the doorways and allow improved passenger flow down the aisles. The first of the 6000 series cars made their debut in October 2006.
News release issued at 12:00 am, October 3, 2007.