Metro’s coronavirus cuts put those who still need public transit in a catch-22

As the region cuts down on physical interactions to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Metro, too, is responding with several service cuts and changes to both rail and bus. But while ridership on Metro may be down 85%, that still leaves many people, and some of our most vulnerable residents, who still rely on the service, to navigate a system that is becoming increasingly harder to use.

What’s happened with Metro so far

Over the past several days Metro has announced a slate of service changes and cuts in response to COVID-19.

The service changes, announced Wednesday, include:

• All trains on all Metrorail lines will be scheduled with 15 minute headways.
• Metrorail hours have been reduced (5 AM to 11 PM weekdays, 8 AM to 11 PM weekends.)
• Metrobuses will run on Sunday schedules, with “supplemental service on selected routes”.
• Metrobus drivers can skip stops if buses are too full.
• MetroAccess subscriptions have been suspended entirely.
• Every train will run with eight cars (the maximum number of cars, intended to create opportunities for physical distancing).
• Workers are enacting a more rigorous program of cleaning trains, buses, stations and other public facilities (WMATA reports having spent $17 million on special cleaning supplies and equipment).
• Public restrooms located at stations have been closed system-wide.

WMATA’s explanation for these cuts is that a service that only facilitates “essential” travel at this time is appropriate. Although the vast majority of us are encouraged to stay home at this time, the realities of essential services along with inflexible working conditions make this much more difficult to do for some than others.

With ridership down by 85%, it’s reasonable to infer that the financial blow from such a significant and sudden drop in revenue is also part of the rationale. WMATA’s GM Paul Wiedefeld wrote to Congress on Wednesday to request urgent financial assistance, projecting a $52 million revenue shortfall every month and noting that “traditional transit funding formulas are not designed to address our unique circumstances.”

What the cuts mean for people who still need Metro

It makes unassailable sense to prioritize public health across the board during this unprecedented crisis, and it’s critically important to avoid close proximity with lots of people for the foreseeable future. It’s also important to understand what the cuts are and how they will affect and are affecting the broad range of people who rely on transportation services for reasons that haven’t all disappeared such as work, medical appointments, and necessary trips to the grocery store as examples.

As an example, suspending MetroAccess subscriptions, which provides shared-ride, door-to-door, paratransit service, puts specifically vulnerable residents’ access to destinations they see as essential—such as medical appointments— at risk. Metro’s website notes customers can still arrange for one-off service by calling 301-562-5360 (TTY 301-588-7535) or via the online reservation system.

Vulnerable people may find the new reservation system challenging to use, and how early one needs to reserve isn’t totally clear. It’s unfortunate that an alternative to keep this service easy to use for those who need it couldn’t be found, and we’ll be looking out for opportunities to talk more about this.

Closing off access to bathrooms reduces opportunities for passengers to wash their hands. It’s hard to tell if this is a good idea or not. Presumably decision-makers were influenced by concerns about coronavirus transmission on bathroom surfaces.

DC your buses are too crowded! Please rethink the limitations on bus routes. It is crowded with all of the most vulnerable people to COVID-19. This pic doesn’t even represent the worst. It is often standing room only on some routes #DC #CoronavirusPandemic #Covid_19 pic.twitter.com/rzmWspaGkO

— Cameron Parker (@Tar_Heel81) March 18, 2020

Observers have questioned whether running substantially fewer trains (albeit all eight car trains) and buses will actually crowd passengers and facilitate coronavirus transmission. Some report this crowding is happening, which could be highly risky; authorities in Shenzhen, China reportedly imposed a maximum occupancy on buses of 50%.

It’s well known that the hallmark proximity of public transit is a potent breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. But with reports of overcrowded buses in DC, policymakers could probably use clearer guidance to finely tune their response in this respect to protect health.

What else should we be talking about?

Readers: What do you think are the issues to watch for as our public transportation agency makes key decisions impacting regional mobility, today and possibly into the future? How do we advocate for safety for all, and also support those who still need to use public transit now.

Riders Alliance is conducting a survey of people who rely on public transportation in NYC to help suss out rider priorities in the midst, and eventually wake, of the Covid-19 pandemic. Should one be organized for the Washington region? We value your comments on what matters right now.