Metro News Release
For immediate release: January 30, 2006
Metro Begins Testing Limited Eight-Car Train Service on the Orange Line During the Morning Rush Hour
Starting today, Metrorail riders on the Orange Line will notice eight-car trains pulling into Orange Line stations. The implementation of limited eight-car train service is part of a six-month pilot program to run longer trains on the line to improve service reliability.
During the six-month test, 114 rail cars, 11 six-car and six 8-car trains will run during the busiest hours on the Orange Line, roughly 6 to 9 a.m. Normally the same 114 rail cars made up of 19 of the 6-car trains travel the Orange Line during a single morning rush hour.
"Eight-car train service on the Orange Line will mean a faster and smoother trip for passengers because we’ll be reducing the bottleneck situation that exists now at Rosslyn," said Jim Hughes, Acting Assistant General Manager of Operations. "Right now, trains from both the Orange and Blue Lines pass through the same portal or tunnel at Rosslyn. They back up, which means trains have to stop frequently in tunnels on the way downtown, because operators have to wait for the train in front of them to leave the station."
Twenty-nine Orange and Blue line trains are scheduled to pass through the Rosslyn portal, during a typical morning rush hour, but on average only 26 actually pass through. Twenty-seven would pass through the portal during the test period. Because there are two fewer trains during the hour, passengers will wait an extra 15 seconds for a train.
During the eight-car pilot program, Metro will communicate with passengers through its Web site, www.metroopensdoors.com, by issuing a special brochure available at Orange Line stations, and through system and train announcements advising passengers on station platforms of eight-car service.
"We would like Orange Line passengers to pay special attention to the system and train announcements, and to check the ’next train’signs to see when an eight-car train is arriving at their station so they can move to the far ends of the platform to access all cars," said Mr. Hughes.
Reconfiguring the length of trains was suggested earlier last year by an outside American Public Transportation Association panel of subway experts as a way to improve reliability given that most rail lines were operating at maximum train-traffic capacity.
Metro is able to run eight-car trains on a limited basis until power upgrades are made systemwide. Eight-car trains are scheduled to be in service on 20 percent of the system by this December.
During the pilot program, Metro staff will measure reliability, observe platform crowding and gauge passenger reactions. If successful, managers will move to implement the same concept on the other lines.
News release issued on January 30, 2006.