Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 27, 2008

Metro installs debris collectors on its rail tracks

Metro has installed debris collectors along the tracks at the Union Station, Gallery Place-Chinatown and Judiciary Square Metrorail stations on the Red Line.

Debris collectors are designed to keep the rails free and clear of trash or newspapers on rail tracks because they cause trash fires. As a train arrives or departs from a Metrorail station, the train’s movement will blow the papers into the debris collector. Metro staff will then remove the debris before it gets blown into the tunnels.

“These debris collectors will help us in our continuing efforts to reduce the risk of train delays caused by trash fires on the tracks,” said Dave Kubicek, Metro’s Assistant General Manager for Rail Services. “While we monitor the performance of these devices, we continue to seek the assistance of our riders to do their part to keep the Metrorail system clean by disposing of their newspapers and other items in the trash or newspaper recycling bins in the stations.”

Over the next few months, Metro officials will monitor the performance and effectiveness of the debris collectors. If successful, Metro will consider installing them throughout the Metrorail system.

News release issued at 9:14 am, February 27, 2008.