Posts by Stephen Repetski — Editorial Board Alum
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Metro’s Fire Marshal office is understaffed and overworked
On top of not performing all its assigned responsibilities, a report says the Fire Marshal's “mission statement, goals, responsibilities, procedures, schedules, standards of inspection, etc. have not yet been developed and there is no time table to develop them.” Keep reading…
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Amtrak would speed from DC to Richmond with three tracks, but in cramped Ashland only two will fit
Ashland, Virginia citizens are opposed to adding a third track or routing trains around their town to bolster Amtrak capacity from DC to Richmond. They say the proposals could “unalterably change” or “destroy” the character of their town. Keep reading…
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A Metro employee was sent to the hospital for an ‘electrical injury’
A series of human errors appear to have contributed to this electrical injury that occurred on October 31, which was previously unreported. It is at least the fourth such incident to occur on Metro this year. Keep reading…
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Three ways WMATA’s budget could do more to win back riders
Metro's budget doesn't include an immediate strategy to restore lost ridership. We have some suggestions for improving their proposal.
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What will it take for Metro to woo back riders?
Riders want frequent and reliable service at all hours but Metro doesn't have the money–so paying customers aren't returning and the system continues to struggle financially. Now Metro is trying to break out of this catch-22 by exploring new, cost-effective ways to bring more riders back. Keep reading…
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Most Metro trains are getting slower this week
Red, Orange, Silver, and Blue Line riders might have longer commutes beginning this week. There’s a new, 35 mile per hour speed restriction in place between Medical Center and Union Station, and between Rosslyn and the Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road stations as of Sunday the 13th. Speeds may not return to normal again for a year. Keep reading…
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Coming soon: A pedestrian tunnel at the King Street Metro station
King Street station in Alexandria serves Metro, VRE, and Amtrak trains. But its layout is inefficient and hard to use. Virginia is providing money to build a new pedestrian tunnel that solves those problems. Keep reading…
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The Union Station Metro entrance on First Street is getting a makeover
The Union Station Metro entrance along First Street NE will soon expand. The plan calls for moving the entrance from its current location and adding fare gates and stairs to make getting to the Amtrak concourse easier. Construction is set to begin this winter. Keep reading…
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H Street’s X2 bus now runs 24/7
In case you missed it, the Metrobus X2 route now runs all day, every day. Metro’s June 25th schedule changes included adding extra overnight buses. This fills an overnight service gap on the route, which runs from Lafayette Square to the Minnesota Avenue Metro station. Keep reading…
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For four weekends in July and August, Metro is closing Medical Center and Bethesda stations
Metro plans to close the Medical Center and Bethesda stations for four weekends starting July 15th for a tunnel waterproofing project. Trains will also single-track between Medical Center and Friendship Heights at nighttime for a month beginning 9pm every weekday between July 10 and August 11. If this project is successful, it could mean more closures but also, eventually, fewer leaks and a more reliable Red Line. Keep reading…