Posts by Stephen Repetski — Editorial Board Alum
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With less toll money, Northern Virginia looks to fund a pared-back transit project list
The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) has less money this year to fund transit projects along I-66 — a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic and fewer drivers paying tolls. Only $4 million is available to be awarded to the projects competing for money, down from the $20 million pot we saw last year. Keep reading…
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Metro loses one of its own as the pandemic continues
A Metro employee in the Rail Operations Control Center recently passed away after falling ill with the virus that causes COVID-19. While the agency now reports 308 employees that have had confirmed cases, 270 of whom have recovered and returned to work, this was the agency’s first loss of life. Keep reading…
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Bus and rail service is ramping back up throughout the region. Here’s what riders need to know.
Metro, Fairfax Connector, MARC, and other local transit agencies increased service during the month of August, restoring some of the service cut earlier in the year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. But while transit service slowly returns towards the “old” normal, few other things in life are. As coronavirus cases and deaths continue, life remains upside-down for many. Keep reading…
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A Red Line train with 32 passengers on board derailed outside the Silver Spring Metro station
A Metro 7000-series Red Line train traveling towards Glenmont derailed outside the Silver Spring station on Tuesday, July 7, causing train service to be suspended between Forest Glen and Takoma through the evening. Metro personnel were able to safely evacuate the 32 passengers on board the train, and no serious injuries were reported. Keep reading…
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Metro plans to reopen the Silver Line and other stations earlier than previously announced
Metro announced that six stations that were closed for maintenance work — McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill, Wiehle, and West Falls Church — will reopen on August 16. Keep reading…
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After repeated safety incidents, Metro replaces its rail operations control director
WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld has reassigned the leader of the agency’s rail control center and is beginning an external search for a new one, according to a staff notice issued on Monday. Keep reading…
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A Metro safety commission says human error to blame in “avoidable” train collision
A train operator is to blame for an incident in which two trains collided in October 2019, says a report adopted by the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission on Thursday, June 18. Keep reading…
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Plans for Crystal City Metro’s second entrance are moving forward
Crystal City Metro will soon be one step closer to getting a second entrance. The Arlington County Board is set to approve an interim agreement on Saturday with real-estate company JBG Smith. If approved, it will provide funding for the developer to come up with technical construction plans and a cost estimate of the project. Keep reading…
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Silver Line Express buses are suspended, making transit options to Dulles even harder
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) is suspending its SIlver Line Express (SLE) bus, which runs between Dulles Airport and the Wiehle-Reston Metro station, beginning this upcoming weekend and lasting through the summer. Keep reading…
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26 people run the Metrorail system, and their office has major safety issues
In response to major, ongoing issues in Metro’s rail control center, the agency’s oversight committee is requiring solutions to problems that “pose unacceptable risks for Metrorail customers, employees, and contractors” if left unaddressed. Keep reading…