Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 26, 2006

Metro reviews 2006 accomplishments, looks ahead to 2007

This year, Metro delivered new buses, new rail cars, improvements to MetroAccess, and unveiled new service initiatives to the more than 1.2 million people who rely on its services each day. In 2007, Metro looks forward to implementing more eight-car trains, new express bus service along Georgia Avenue, making its service more convenient accessible to its customers through technology and welcoming a new General Manager.

"This year we took several steps in the right direction to improve our service by introducing new buses, new rail cars, and changes to MetroAccess," said Metro Board Chairman Gladys W. Mack. "This year, my top priority was Metrobus. While Metrorail plays a critical role in moving several hundred thousand people each weekday, the Metrobus system also provides a critical life link to people throughout the region. This year we moved forward toward improving our bus service."

Metro added 417 new buses into the fleet this year, replacing older ones, reducing the average age of the bus fleet from 10 years to less than seven years. The new buses enabled the entire bus fleet to became wheelchair accessible. Metro also unveiled service changes to improve reliability and transfer connections between buses and trains. And testing began on the NextBus system to provide customers with bus arrival times at specific stops.

Metro also introduced its newest 6000 series rail cars on the Green Line this year, and unveiled eight-car train operations on the Orange Line during the morning rush hour. The rail system also achieved seven of the top 10 ridership days in its history and routinely provided more than 700,000 passenger rail trips daily.

"For the first time in our 30-year history, more than 200 million people rode the Metrorail system during one fiscal year," said Jack Requa, Metro’s Acting General Manager. More than 205 million people passed through the faregates in fiscal year 2006 , representing a 5.3 percent increase from the previous year. Additionally, 131 million people rode Metrobus during fiscal year 2006, a 2.7 percent increase from fiscal year 2005.

"We had several successes and many service improvements this year, yet many challenges await us," Mrs. Mack said. "This is an exciting but critical juncture for Metro. We find ourselves in a situation where the resources that support our services are increasingly stretched, especially as we look ahead to 2007. However, I believe that we have the capacity, the energy and the know-how to continue to meet and overcome these challenges. At the same time, we must maintain our strong partners throughout this region if we are to ensure that Metro remains the premiere transit system in America. As we look forward to 2007, we must take a moment to remember three dedicated Metro employees who lost their lives performing their job duties on the Metrorail system. We must never forget the contributions that Jong Wong Lee, Leslie Arvelle Cherry, and Matthew Brooks made to the Metrorail system. Our hearts and prayers go out to their families during the holiday season," Mrs. Mack said.

Metro’s 2006 Accomplishments

Metrobus Accomplishments

  • Metro placed 417 new buses into service, reducing the average age of the Metrobus fleet from 10.1 years to approximately 6.5 years.
  • The Board authorized a multiple-year bus procurement, replacing up to 500 buses over five years to maintain the fleet age.
  • Metro began procurement of 25 buses as part of the Metro Matters program to expand the bus fleet.
  • 100 percent of the bus fleet became wheelchair accessible.
  • Metrobus began testing real-time information on the 90, 92, 93, 9A, 9E, F4 and F6.
  • Metro received awards for two grants to purchase hydrogen buses.
  • Continued work on installing security cameras on Metrobuses. 667 buses are equipped with cameras.
  • Replaced outdated destination signs on 232 buses, improving visibility and reliability.
  • Introduced contract maintenance programs to provide more frequent bus cleaning and improved destination sign maintenance.

Metrorail Accomplishments

  • Metrorail average weekday ridership climbed over 700,000 passenger trips.
  • Metro introduced eight-car train service on the Orange Line during the morning rush hour in January.
  • Metro’s newest 6000 series rail cars entered rail service and officials continue to place the series 2000/3000 rehabilitated rail cars into service, with 201 rehabilitated rail cars in service by the end of calendar year 2006.
  • Metro introduced a remodeled interior layout of an existing railcar featuring bench seating, more grab bars, and an open floor area to accommodate more passengers.
  • Metro broke ground for a new parking structure at the Huntington Metrorail station.
  • Metro introduced real-time train arrival information on personal computers and Blackberrys identical to what they see on the Passenger Information Displays on the train station platforms.
  • The Metrorail system map was made available online to download to Apple iPods.
  • Metro and Montgomery County eliminated Red Line trains turning back at the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metrorail station during off-peak hours.
  • Metro and the District of Columbia agreed to extend the Yellow Line from Mt. Vernon Sq/7th Street-Convention Center to the Fort Totten Metrorail station during off-peak hours as part an18 month pilot, beginning December 31.
  • Metro debuted tunnel advertising on the Red Line between Metro Center and Judiciary Square.
  • Metro replaced six track switches throughout the rail system. Track switches are a portion of the track that allows trains to switch from one track to another.
  • Metro installed about 49,000 feet of new continuous welded rail, which are long lengths of rail, welded together. Metro also conducted a system-wide cleaning of 603,000 feet of track throughout the Metrorail system.
  • Metro completed new access improvements at the Ballston-MU Metrorail station with the opening of three new street to mezzanine elevators.

MetroAccess Accomplishments

  • Metro introduced an automated scheduling program and an interactive voice response telephone system for its 6,000 daily paratransit trips. Customers can obtain real-time information on their vehicle’s estimated time of arrival as well as the garage location from which it is dispatched.
  • Metro added a new customer feature for MetroAccess customers to confirm or cancel their MetroAccess trips through the automated telephone service.
  • Metro launched an automated confirmation call the night before a MetroAccess scheduled trip and a second call on the day of service when the MetroAccess vehicle has arrived at their pick-up location.
  • Metro introduced a revised late cancellation and no-show policy that allows MetroAccess customers the opportunity to cancel their trips up to two hours before travel without penalty. Previously, customers were required to call by 4:30 pm the day before travel.
  • The advance reservation window for MetroAccess was reduced from 14 to seven days to allow for greater scheduling efficiency and to reduce cancellations.
  • An Ad Hoc Committee was formed to study MetroAccess and to recommend improvements. As a result, further process improvements to MetroAccess customer service and contract oversight were commissioned.
  • A new Department of Community Transportation Services was established to produce a broader range of transportation options for people with disabilities through partnerships with other transportation and human services agencies.
  • $6.1 million in improvements for MetroAccess were approved to expand the fleet to over 400 vehicles, facilitate greater flexibility in scheduling, meet increasing demand, and maintain on-time service. The funding added staff for contract oversight and management of the eligibility certification process, and transformed MetroAccess from a curb-to-curb to a door-to-door service, a change in service design that was widely requested by MetroAccess customers. The change to door-to-door service will decrease wait time and improve overall efficiency of the service while providing a higher quality of service to our customers.

Metro Transit Police Accomplishments

  • Transit Police broke ground for its new District One substation at Fort Totten Metrorail station.
  • Transit Police graduated three canine officers from the TSA program and increased the size of its canine force including the introduction of its first female canine officer.
  • Transit Police began training local first responders in managing metro emergencies II.
  • Transit Police reached out to customers with electronic devices with a prevention and protection program.
  • Sixteen Managing Metro Emergencies classes were initiated by Metro Transit Police. The training covered mitigation, evacuation, and transportation of evacuated rail riders and recovery from incidents, such as fires, crashes and acts of terrorism. The course focused on better management of pedestrian and vehicle traffic after the closure or evacuation of rail stations.
  • Transit Police updated its website with more information on police programs.

Escalator and Elevator Accomplishments

  • Metro opened the transit industry’s first elevator and escalator training lab, designed to be a learning tool for students in Metro’s Escalator and Elevator Apprenticeship Program and a continued training center for Metro’s escalator and elevator mechanics.
  • Metro’s Escalator and Elevator Department rehabilitated 18 elevators and 29 escalators to improve their reliability and extend their lifecycle.
  • Canopies were installed at 10 above ground Metrorail station entrances.

News release issued on December 26, 2006.