Metro News Release
For immediate release: December 18, 2009
Metro ready for winter weather on Saturday
Snow-fighting equipment and personnel ready for inclement weather
As the region prepares for snow on Saturday, Dec. 19, Metro is prepared and ready to go. The transit agency will have up to 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.
Metrorail Service
Metrorail will operate on its regular Saturday schedule, opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 3 a.m. Customers riding Metrorail are encouraged to use care and caution while entering and exiting Metrorail stations as station platforms may be wet and slippery due to weather conditions.
Metro will have up to 20 trains equipped with de-icing equipment to combat snow and ice on the electrified third rail, which must be clear to allow electricity to flow to move the trains. Up to 12 trains will be available to operate in regular passenger service on all rail lines with the remaining eight trains in rail yards.
The de-icing equipment is neither dangerous nor flammable, and passengers should not be concerned that it is aboard their train. If they prefer not to be in a rail car with the equipment, they can move to another rail car. Those same trains also will have special scrapers to help keep ice off of the third rail. If ice builds up on the third rail, it does not allow for the free flow of electricity from the rail to power the train. Keeping the third rail ice-free is a continuous process.
Metro will use “heater tape,” which has been installed on sections of track with significant grades/inclines and in critical areas in the rail yards. The heater tape, which will be in use throughout the winter, is a cable clipped onto the third rail that is turned on when temperatures dip below the freezing mark to keep the third rail warm enough to prevent ice from forming.
The Impact to Metrorail During a Significant Snow Storm
For the most part, Metrorail operates very close to a normal schedule in snows of up to six inches. Customers may experience crowded conditions when commuters leave their cars at home and use Metro on snowy days. On occasion, Metro may use snow and ice clearing equipment between regularly scheduled passenger trains. This may cause longer waits between trains to allow time for the snow to be cleared.
If a snowstorm of eight or more inches hits the region, Metro will focus on preserving its rail car fleet, and may suspend above ground rail service and serve underground stations only. This allows Metro to spare more rail cars from weather-related breakdowns, focus snow clearing operations on above-ground tracks and store a limited number of trains underground.
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 1:11 pm, December 18, 2009.