Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 11, 2016

Metro testing platform decals indicating where six-car trains stop

Metro customers at four busy stations may notice something new when they look down. Overnight, Metro installed floor decals on rail platforms at Metro Center, Gallery Place, L'Enfant Plaza and Union Station that show riders where a six-car train will stop on the platform.

The bright yellow 19-inch by 48-inch decals read "6 CAR TRAIN ENDS HERE" with an arrow directing customers to the boarding area. Metro's "Amplify" customer community provided feedback on the design.

"This is a simple, low-cost, common sense step that helps Metro customers and visitors know where they should stand on the platform," said Metro General Manager and CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld. "We also hope the decals will enhance platform safety by having customers better spread out on the platform and reduce--or eliminate--running for the last door of a six-car train."

Metro operates a combination of 6- and 8-car trains, all of which stop at the far end of the platform for safety and consistency. When a six car train arrives, customers positioned at the 7th- or 8th-car locations on the platform have to walk forward to board the train which, in turn, causes congestion at the last door and increases boarding times.

Customers can determine whether an arriving train is six or eight cars in length by checking the LED displays, known as PIDS, on the platform.

Metro will evaluate the decals at the four stations before deciding whether to install them at additional stations later this year.

News release issued at 11:33 am, March 11, 2016.