Metro News Release
For immediate release: December 19, 2009
Snow impacting Saturday's Metro services
Metrobus, MetroAccess delayed due to snow
The Metrorail system will open on time today (Saturday, December 19) at 7 a.m. and will operate train about 10 to 12 minutes apart this morning. Metrobuses and MetroAccess trips are experiencing major delays due to heavy snow on the area’s roads. Metrobus routes are limited to operating on snow emergency routes due to the poor road conditions.
Metrorail operates very close to a normal schedule in snowfall of up to six inches. However once snow reaches a depth of eight inches, it is difficult to operate trains because snow starts to cover the electrified third rail, which is necessary to provide electricity to power the trains. As a result, Metro may suspend above-ground rail service and serve underground stations only when snow accumulation reaches eight inches or more. Suspending above-ground rail service also 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.
“We will monitor snowfall levels very closely and we will plan and react accordingly,” said Metro General Manager John Catoe. “It is very slow moving on the roads today, and understandably so. Customers should please dress warmly as waits for buses and trains will be longer than usual.”
The transit agency kept empty trains running across the outdoor tracks throughout the night to help keep snow from covering the tracks. Today customers will see trains equipped with de-icing equipment being used on all five lines. Twenty such trains are in service.
Four Metrobuses were used to help transport homeless individuals to shelters last night between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Metro has 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 hundreds of snow-trained employees and contractors who have been working throughout the night and into today to treat snowy and icy surfaces at Metrorail stations including platforms, sidewalks and parking facilities.
Metrorail
Throughout the day 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. Trains are currently available to operate in regular passenger service on all rail lines with some trains being used to keep the tracks free from ice 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.
Metro is using “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 is a cable clipped onto the electrified third rail that is turned on when temperatures dip below the freezing mark. It helps keep the third rail warm enough to prevent ice from forming.
Metro railcar maintenance staff has also “hardened” its fleet of rail cars by protecting the undercarriage motors from snow ingestion and electrical short circuits that are caused by water/snow and debris. The traction motors have been coated with a protective material to help prevent the ingestion of snow and water.
Metrobus
Bus service is limited to snow emergency routes, so passengers should expect detours and major delays. All buses are behind schedule due to the snowy road conditions. When road conditions improve, bus service also will improve.
MetroAccess
MetroAccess will operate as road conditions dictate, so passengers should expect detours and major delays due to changing road conditions. Passengers are encouraged to reschedule non-essential trips, monitor weather conditions and plan their travel accordingly.
How to get 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 on Metro’s home page at www.metroopensdoors.com or by calling 202-637-7000. Customers can also subscribe to e-Alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.
News release issued at 6:52 am, December 19, 2009.