Metro News Release
For immediate release: December 4, 2009
Metro ready for winter weather on Saturday
Snow-fighting equipment and personnel ready for inclement weather
As the region prepares for its first taste of winter weather on Saturday, Dec. 5, Metro is prepared and ready to go. The transit agency will have up 2,200 tons of bulk rock salt to treat Metro roadways and parking lots, 18,000, 50-pound bags of de-icer for treating sidewalks and platforms and snow-trained employees ready to handle whatever Mother Nature has in store.
“You can count on Metro to get you where you need to go as safely as possible, and you can also count on Mother Nature to hit our region with at least a couple of significant storms a season,” said Gerald Francis, Metro’s Deputy General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. “Our number one concern is the safety of our riders when using Metro. While our employees are trained experts in dealing with hazardous conditions caused by snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice, we encourage our customers to do their part by exercising care and caution while using our services, and always checking our Web site for service updates.”
Metrorail Service
Metrorail will operate on its regular Saturday schedule, opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 3 a.m. Track maintenance work is scheduled to occur on the Red, Orange and Blue lines. Customers riding Metrorail are encouraged to use care and caution while entering and exiting Metrorail stations as station platforms may become wet and slippery due to weather conditions.
Depending on weather conditions, Metro may run empty trains following the system’s closure at 3 a.m., on Saturday, Dec., 5/Sunday, Dec. 6., to keep the rails clear of any possible snow or ice build-up.
Metrobus Service
Metrobus will operate on its regular Saturday schedule. Under normal conditions, Metrobus service works in tandem with Metrorail service. Many Metrobus routes take customers to Metrorail stations. However, bus service depends on road conditions, so passengers should expect possible detours and delays due to changing road conditions.
MetroAccess Service
MetroAccess will operate as road conditions dictate, so passengers should expect possible detours and delays due to changing road conditions. Passengers with scheduled rides should call (301) 562-5360 for a status update of their ride.
Metro Snow Facts
Metro has 2,200 tons of bulk rock salt to treat Metro roadways and parking lots. The salt is stored in seven salt domes and one storage building around the system. Each dome holds approximately 300 tons of rock salt.
Metro has 18,000, 50-pound bags of de-icer (calcium chloride) for treating sidewalks and platforms.
Metro has 71 tractors, 70 pick up trucks, 18 larger trucks, five dump trucks with plows, 96 snow brooms, and 122 snow blowers to remove snow from Metro-owned facilities.
Metro has two contractors on call to support efforts if snow accumulation reaches four inches or more. They are primarily used to clear parking lots.
Metro has several hundred personnel to aid in support of the snow removal effort.
Updates on Winter Weather Conditions
There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed during a major storm. Metro constantly updates local news media of Metro service changes. Information is also available at www.metroopensdoors.com or by calling Metro at 202-637-7000. Customers can also subscribe to e-Alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.
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Media contacts for this news release at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.
News release issued at 4:02 pm, December 4, 2009.