Metro News Release

For immediate release: July 2, 2009

Red Line trains to operate at regular speeds starting Friday, July 3

Takoma Metrorail station to remain open Friday and Saturday

Starting Friday, July 3, at 7 a.m., trains will return to regular speeds on the Red Line except for those passing through the area of last week’s accident between Takoma and Fort Totten Metrorail stations. The Takoma Metrorail station will remain open Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4.

If trains get backed up, it is possible that some may be offloaded to turn trains around. This maneuver will allow Metro to get some trains to Glenmont, which in turn can provide more service for people traveling from Glenmont or Silver Spring into downtown Washington.

Metro will operate additional eight-car trains to carry more passengers throughout the holiday in an attempt to alleviate crowded conditions.

In addition, all trains on all color lines will be pulling to the front end of all platforms, so riders should check the passenger display signs located both on the platform and at the mezzanine level to determine where they should stand as they wait to board a train. Eight-car trains will fill the entire platform. However, customers will notice that when six-car trains pull into a station that there will be about 150 feet of empty platform space behind the train, so when the signs indicate that a six-car train is pulling into a station, customers should move toward the center or front of the platform for easy boarding.

Media contact for this news release: Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.

News release issued at 6:28 pm, July 2, 2009.