Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 20, 2009

Limited Metrobus service to resume at 9 a.m. Sunday

Metrorail continues underground only; No MetroAccess service on Sunday

Metrobus will resume extremely limited service today, Sunday, December 20, one day after record snowfall wreaked havoc on the roads. Ten routes will see limited service return in the District of Columbia starting at approximately 9 a.m. Intervals between buses are expected to be longer than usual, with those headways in the 20- to 30-minute range.

The limited service will resume on the following bus routes: the 70, S, 30s, X2, L, 80s, W4, W6, V and 50 lines and customers may want to take advantage of the next bus prediction technology to get an idea when the next bus will be arriving by logging onto Metro’s web site or calling 202-637-7000 and saying, “next bus.” Buses are expected to be moving slowly on the roads, which remain slippery.

Metro officials cautioned riders to be mindful of slippery roads, which are being used by pedestrians because most sidewalks remain covered with snow. “Take your time when boarding a bus, as we know that there are huge piles of snow lining the edges of streets and blocking the bus stops,” Metro General Manager John Catoe cautioned. “Do not run to catch a bus, as it’s not worth a fall that could cause an injury.”

Meanwhile, the Metrorail system will continue operating underground-only and MetroAccess will remain closed all day today (December 20). Officials will continue to evaluate rail and road conditions throughout the day in hopes of expanding bus and rail service.

Metro has 86 stations and 106-miles of track. Forty-seven stations along 50.5 miles of track are located underground and 39 stations along 55.5 miles of track are above ground. All 39 above-ground stations are closed. Sunday morning the system opened at its usual 7 a.m. time, with trains servicing stations at 24- to 30-minute intervals to the underground stations as follows:

Red Line – Service between Medical Center and Union Station only
Orange and Blue Lines – Service between Ballston and Stadium-Armory only
Green Line – Service between Fort Totten and Congress Heights only
Yellow Line – Service from Pentagon to Crystal City only

Throughout the night and this morning, heavy-duty diesel-powered trains have been clearing and de-icing the exposed above-ground sections of track, to get them in shape for moving trains.

Metrorail employees and contractors also have been working throughout the night and morning to continue to clear the rails of ice and snow and to clear platforms, sidewalks, parking facilities and pathways to rail stations. They have been focusing mainly on the entrance areas of underground stations, including shoveling of snow off of exposed escalators, many of which have come to a halt due to packed ice and snow in moving parts. About 80 escalators that serve underground stations have been stopped by the heavy snow and ice, and rail customers are encouraged to use station elevators from the street into and out of the station when possible.

Contractors also are in the process of clearing paths to above-ground stations in preparation for their reopening. On Monday customers should expect to see surface parking facilities piled with snow, consuming spaces where vehicles usually park. The top level of parking decks also are expected to have snow on them on Monday.

Dozens of railcars were stored in the underground tunnels Friday and Saturday nights to keep them free of snow and ice, however hundreds of railcars are still under snow in Metro’s rail yards. The heavy equipment used to clear the rail yards is still focusing on clearing above-ground tracks. Once the tracks are clear, that equipment will then be refocused on clearing the rail yards in preparation for Monday morning rush hour.

Heavy accumulation of snow on the rails on Saturday, December 19, forced Metrorail officials to limit train service to its 39 underground stations starting at 1 p.m. when rapidly deteriorating weather conditions hindered train movement. Metrobus and paratransit service also were stopped at 1 p.m. on Saturday due to unsafe road conditions.

The decision to limit train service was made due to heavy snowfall that began to cover the electrified third rail, which is situated eight inches above the ground. The third rail must be clear of snow and ice because it is the source of electricity that powers the trains.

Metro started the weekend with 2,200 tons of bulk rock salt to treat Metro roadways and parking lots and 18,000, 50-pound bags of de-icer for treating sidewalks and platforms. Hundreds of snow-trained employees and contractors have been working throughout the night and into today to treat snowy and icy surfaces at Metrorail stations including platforms, sidewalks and parking facilities.

Metro also 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.

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. Customers can also subscribe to e-Alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.

News release issued at 9:09 am, December 20, 2009.