Metro News Release

For immediate release: November 21, 2003

Metro outlines coordinated snow preparation efforts for this winter

At today’s Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Board Operations Committee meeting, officials outlined their coordinated efforts with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), and preparations to implement underground service only in the event of a measured snowstorm of eight inches or higher. As part of a coordinated effort to share information regionally in the event of a major snowstorm, Metro would participate in COG-lead conference calls with regional leaders to coordinate key messages on services Metro could provide during an anticipated snowstorm. Metro would also utilize COG’s web-based snowstorm emergency assessment system to input rail and bus system status on a timely basis. In the event the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area faces a major winter storm where snowfall is expected to reach eight inches or above, Metro will operate underground rail service only. Under this plan, Metrorail service would operate as follows:

  • Red Line: Between Medical Center and Union Station
  • Orange Line: Between Ballston-MU and Stadium Armory
  • Green Line: Between Georgia Ave-Petworth and Congress Heights
  • Yellow Line: Between Pentagon and Crystal City
  • Blue Line: Between Rosslyn and Stadium Armory
"During the February 2003 blizzard, Metrorail cars sustained heavy damage, which resulted in a lengthy service restoration after the storm ended. Now, our priority is a rapid return to normal service," said Jim Gallagher, Metro’s Deputy General Manager for Operations. "This can be achieved by maintaining underground operations only. This plan will help us support underground rail car storage, and a more rapid return to normal rail service." Underground operations would enable customers to easily understand how the Metrorail system is functioning, would allow for continued connections to key activity centers in the downtown D.C. and Pentagon areas, and would support Metro underground rail car storage needs and a rapid return to normal service once the snow begins to melt. Under this plan, Metro could store approximately 300 rail cars underground. Only 50 cars would be used to run the underground service every 20-30 minutes. While at the same time, Metro could concentrate on snow removal along the above ground portion of the rail system. Immediately following a snow storm, Metro projects capacity levels to be at 50 percent of peak requirements. Within 48 hours, Metrorail could return to normal service."In order to successfully move to a Metrorail underground service plan, three critical factors must be achieved," said Mr. Gallagher. "Communications before and throughout the weather emergency, public understanding of our special service and educating the media on our service plans are all necessary. By achieving these three critical factors, we can continue providing rail service to the main downtown business core of the city." If Metro should have to reduce service or move to underground operations only, it will use a number of ways to get the word out to customers: eAlerts to personal communications devices of those who are registered can register online; the Web site; the Customer Information line at 202-637-7000 (TTY 638-3780); electronic elevator notifications; information distributed in advanced at Metrorail stations; and through frequent updates via the media with ongoing media advisories and news releases.

News release issued on November 21, 2003.