Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 13, 2008

Small Fire Causing Major Delays on the Red Line Friday Morning,Several Other Stations Experiencing Power Outages

Metro riders should avoid the Red Line this morning or be prepared for major delays as emergency crews have put out a small fire along the tracks near Metro Center. Trains are single-tracking around the smoke, and customers can expect delays of more than 60 minutes. The incident began at 7:24 a.m.

Free shuttle buses will be available at Gallery Place-Chinatown, Farragut North and Metro Center by 8:30 a.m. to help get people around the incident. Customers also can expect lengthy waits for shuttles of more than 60 minutes.

People traveling along Connecticut Avenue should consider taking the Metrobus Connecticut Lines of L1, L2, L4, L7 and L8 to get around the problem.

In addition, there are power outages reported at Dupont Circle, Shaw-Howard , Farragut North, Farragut West and McPherson Square Metrorail stations due to a power problem in the area. Trains are serving the stations, but those stations are on emergency lighting, so they are significantly darker than usual. Escalators, elevators and vending machines at those stations are not operating.

It is not yet known if the power problem and fire are related.

News release issued at 8:23 am, June 13, 2008.