Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 13, 2008

Dupont Circle Metrorail Station Reopened After Power Restored

Metro Center Remains Closed Due to Report of Fire

Dupont Circle Metrorail station was closed for about an hour and a half today, Friday, June 13, from 9:25 to 10:50 a.m. due to a Pepco power outage downtown that could not provide electricity to the station’s lengthy escalators.

Metro officials closed the station for safety reasons after seeing customers struggle to climb the escalators, which are 188 feet long. Trains were passing through Dupont Circle and not stopping.

A Pepco power problem in downtown Washington affected five Metrorail stations forcing them to operate on emergency lighting for nearly three hours.

Shaw-Howard, Farragut North, Farragut West, McPherson Square and Dupont Circle Metrorail stations were significantly darker than usual. Escalators, elevators, fare gates and vending machines at those stations were not operating while the power problem persisted from about 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

In addition, a fire along the tracks at Metro Center has kept that station closed since 9:50 a.m. It is the second fire reported at that station today. As a result, riders can expect major delays to continue on the Red Line throughout the remainder of the morning as first responders handle the situation. Delays of 60 minutes or more should be expected. Customers should avoid the Red Line if possible.

Free shuttle buses are operating from Gallery Place to Woodley Park Metrorail stations. Passengers should expect lengthy delays for the shuttle buses as a bus can carry only 50 people and a six-car train carries approximately 1,000 people.

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

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

News release issued at 10:59 am, June 13, 2008.