Metro to close on Friday night for the weekend

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Metro is closing doors... on Friday at 11pm and then staying closed all day Saturday and Sunday. There are different restrictions for Metro and Bus, so take a look at the press release below.

For Immediate Release
January 21, 2016
Contact:
Media Relations
202-962-1051

METRO TO SUSPEND SERVICE DURING BLIZZARD

Metro today announced major service changes and suspensions on Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess in advance of a potentially historic blizzard affecting the National Capital Region. The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for the Metro service area from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning, and the effects of the storm are expected to impact the region into early next week.

“This is not a storm that anyone should take lightly, and I would urge all residents to plan to get to a safe place before the storm arrives Friday afternoon,” said Wiedefeld. 

“The actions we are taking today are all in the interest of our customers’ and employees’ safety, and will help us return to service once the storm passes and the snow is cleared.”

Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld will activate the agency’s Emergency Command Center (ECC) starting at 4 p.m. Friday, with around the clock coverage during the storm. The ECC will coordinate all Metro response efforts, including protecting rail and bus equipment, responding to weather-related problems, and coordinating the clearing of station platforms, parking lots, garages, bus loops, rail yards and storage facilities.

Metrorail

  • On Friday, Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. with service both above and below ground until 11 p.m.
  • At 11 p.m. Friday, the Metrorail system will close and will remain closed all day Saturday and Sunday.
  • Metro will protect hundreds of railcars by storing them in the tunnels during the storm.
  • Information regarding the restoration of service will be provided via broadcast media outlets, social media, Metro’s website (wmata.com), and the MetroAlerts system (email and text messages).

Metrobus

  • Bus service will begin the day Friday on a “severe” snow weather plan. Under the severe plan, buses operate only on major corridors. For details on which routes operate under the severe plan, visit wmata.com/snow/severe.
  • Operating on a “severe” service plan helps to ensure that customers and employees are not stranded once the storm begins.
  • Bus service will be suspended systemwide at 5 p.m. Friday as the storm moves into the region. The last buses will depart their origin points at 5 p.m. and operate to the end of the route before ending service.
  • Bus service will remain suspended on Saturday and Sunday.

MetroAccess

  • MetroAccess paratransit service for customers with disabilities will be suspended Friday after 6 p.m.
  • To prevent customers from being stranded, MetroAccess will not begin any new outbound trips after 1 p.m.
  • MetroAccess service will remain suspended on Saturday and Sunday.

How to stay informed

Metro’s customer call center will close at 5 p.m. Friday at the conclusion of Metrobus service. The call center is expected to reopen at noon Sunday (weather and road conditions permitting).

Metro essential personnel are expected to report to work as scheduled. Non-essential employees will be dismissed at noon Friday. 

Ann E. Chisholm
Government Relations Officer – District of Columbia
Office of Government Relations and Policy
Office of Chief of Staff
600 5th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-962-2877
achisholm@wmata.com

 

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Drew

Hyperlocal community journalist in Petworth, Washington DC.



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