Commuters navigate first weekday of Metro's SafeTrack Surge #2
WASHINGTON - Commuters packed their patience Monday for the first weekday of the second phase of Metro's SafeTrack maintenance program.
The 16-day shutdown during Metrorail Surge No. 2 began on Saturday and has cut off service between five stations along the Blue, Orange and Silver lines - with the Blue Line feeling the brunt of it.
Riders will not be able to ride trains between Eastern Market and the Benning Road and Minnesota Avenue stations. Passengers will not even be able to go into the Stadium-Armory and Potomac Avenue stations because they are closed.
Commuters are having to board shuttle buses in order to travel between the closed Metro stations.
FOX 5's Bob Barnard spoke with Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld Monday morning who reiterated that the transit system needs a reduction in riders during Surge No. 2.
"If you can telecommute, if you can carpool, if you can start later and reduce the pressure that way - anything you do in that vein will help," he said.
Wiedefeld said the biggest problems may come when commuters who have not planned ahead run into delays during their trip.
Wiedefeld went on to tell FOX 5 that the work itself was going according to schedule, but keeping the commute smooth was going to be tough.
"The shuttle side - it's going to be lumpy. There's no doubt about it. We're trying to move a lot of people and trying to replicate rail service which you cannot do," he said. "A rail car handles about 800 people. A bus handles about 50."
FOX 5's Tom Fitzgerald arrived at the Eastern Market station at around 11:45 a.m. to take a trip on one of the shuttle buses to see how things were going for passengers. Every one of the shuttles we saw was full this afternoon and the time delays were significant.
When FOX 5 arrived, we waited about 20 minutes for the bus and we sat on the bus for another 10 minutes before departing the Eastern Market. It took another 15 minutes to get to Stadium-Armory. We waited another five minutes for another shuttle bus to take us back and then a 10-minute ride. So that is about an hour to go through two stations.
Normally, if you ride Metrorail, it only takes about 10 minutes to ride from Eastern Market to Stadium-Armory with one stop in between at Potomac Avenue.
Commuters we spoke with are not happy, but are trying to stay positive.
"I'll have to do what I have to do," said one Metro passenger. "Before subways came about, we had to get around so don't blame it on what is going on. Just fix the problem and let's move on."
"I'm a little frustrated right now," said another commuter. "Because I have to get to work and I'm confused about what is going on."
"People need to have some patience about this," said another Metro rider. "Would they rather have for it to break down and it would be a real disaster?"
These crowded buses are no surprise and Metro specifically said last week there was no way they would be able to duplicate the service they provide on a Metro train with these shuttle buses. Metro said it needed 7 out of 10 passengers along this Surge No. 2 shutdown to find a different way to travel.
Surge No. 1 began on June 4th and lasted to June 16 and involved work on the Orange and Silver Lines.
HERE'S WHAT IS INVOLVED IN SURGE #2 OF SAFETRACK:
SafeTrack Surge #2: Eastern Market to Minnesota Ave/Benning Road Shutdown - June 18 - July 3
MORE ONLINE: http://www.wmata.com/rider_tools/metro_service_status/advisories.cfm?AID=5582
No trains running at any time:
No Blue Line service in DC, MD or Rosslyn.
On weekdays:
Tap your SmarTrip card each time you enter and exit the Metrorail system. Riders traveling through the work zone will be charged for a single, continuous trip.
Trains may be extremely crowded, especially during rush hour due to service reductions. Expect significant delays at the following stations:
Shuttle buses may be extremely crowded and riders may encounter lines and delays waiting for shuttle service.
Additional regular-route bus service will operate:
Weekend train frequencies may change to coordinate with other planned track work on the Metrorail system. Weekend service information is posted in the Alerts & Advisories section
BROCHURES AND MAPS
Surge 1 & 2 brochure (pdf)
Prince George's County Transit Alternatives Flyer (pdf)
Parking Availability (pdf)
Printable detailed bus alternatives (pdf)
Eastern Market shuttle bus stop map (pdf)
Potomac Ave shuttle bus stop map (pdf)
Stadium Armory shuttle bus stop map (pdf)
Benning Road shuttle bus stop map (pdf)
Minnesosta Ave shuttle bus stop map (pdf)
Rosslyn to Arlington shuttle bus stop map (pdf)
Rosslyn to Arlington alternate bus services map (pdf)
Eastern Market to Minnesota Ave/Benning Rd alternate bus service map (pdf)
*Silver Line Shuttle Route Map (pdf)
*Orange Line Shuttle Route Map (pdf)
*Blue Line Shuttle Route Map - Arlington -Rosslyn midday ONLY (pdf)
* Routes subject to change due to traffic conditions.
STATION SPECIFIC IMPACTS:
Benning Road - Silver Line shuttle buses will replace trains and operate every 5-10 minutes between Benning Road, Stadium-Armory, Potomac Ave, and Eastern Market. Buses stop ONLY at the affected Metrorail stations, not at stops along the way. No express buses will operate. Consider using Metrobus Route 96 or 97 to Union Station or DC Streetcar H/Benning Line as an alternate.
Stadium-Armory, Potomac Ave, Eastern Market - Orange and Silver line shuttle buses will replace trains and operate every 5-10 minutes. Orange shuttle buses will service Eastern Market, Potomac Ave, Stadium-Armory, and Minnesota Avenue. Silver shuttle buses will service Eastern market, Potomac Avenue, Stadium-Armory, and Benning Road. Buses stop ONLY at the affected Metrorail stations, not at stops along the way. No express buses will operate. Consider using Metrobus as an alternate.
Largo Town Center/Morgan Blvd - Silver Line service ONLY will operate every 10 minutes outside the shutdown zone. Free shuttle buses will operate for customers traveling between Benning Road and Eastern Market. Consider taking the train to Capitol Heights Station and transfer to Metrobus 96, 97 to Union Station or transfer to enhanced MetroExtra X9 to Metro Center as alternates.
Addison Road - Silver Line service ONLY will operate every 10 minutes outside the shutdown zone. Free shuttle buses will operate for customers traveling between Benning Road and Eastern Market. Customers should consider Metrobus P12 to the Suitland Station or F14 to Naylor Rd Station to transfer to the Green Line; or take the train to Capitol Heights and transfer to Metrobus 96, 97 to Union Station or to the enhanced MetroExtra X9 to Metro Center as alternates.
Capitol Heights - Silver Line service ONLY will operate every 10 minutes outside the shutdown zone. Free shuttle buses will operate for customers traveling between Benning Road and Eastern Market. Consider using Metrobus 96, 97 to Union Station or enhanced MetroExtra X9 to Metro Center.
Minnesota Ave - Orange Line shuttle buses will replace trains and operate every 5-10 minutes between Minnesota Ave, Stadium-Armory, Potomac Ave and Eastern Market. Buses stop ONLY at the affected Metrorail stations, not at stops along the way. No express buses will operate. Consider using Metrobus Route X2 or MetroExtra X9 to Metro Center or nearby DC Streetcar H/Benning Line as an alternate.
New Carrollton - Orange Line trains will run every 10 minutes outside shutdown zone. Free shuttle buses will operate for customers traveling between Minnesota Ave and Eastern Market. TheBus Route 15X will operate a FREE shuttle departing every 20 minutes to Greenbelt and transfer to the Green Line. Customers should consider MARC Penn Line to Union Station or using Metrobus F6 to College Park Station/MARC Camden Line and Metrobus G12, G14 to Greenbelt Station/MARC Camden Line. Customers may also use enhanced T18 Metrobus service or the T14 Metrobus to Rhode Island Avenue Station to transfer to the Red Line as an alternate.
Landover- Orange Line trains will run every 10 minutes outside shutdown zone. Free shuttle buses will operate for customers traveling between Minnesota Ave and Eastern Market. Customers should consider Metrobus A12 to Capitol Plaza and transfer to Metrobus T18 to Rhode Island Ave on the Red Line as an alternate; or MetrobusA12 to Capitol Heights and transfer to Metrobus X9 to Metro Center to Metrobus 96, 97 to Union Station as alternates.
Cheverly - Orange Line trains will run every 10 minutes outside shutdown zone. Free shuttle buses will operate for customers traveling between Minnesota Ave and Eastern Market. Customers should consider TheBus Route 18 to Langley Park and transfer to enhanced Metrobus T18 service on Bladensburg Road or transfer at Prince George's Plaza Station on the Green Line as an alternate. Metrobus F1, F2 and F8 are also options to transfer to the Green Line at West Hyattsville Station.
Deanwood - Orange Line trains will run every 10 minutes outside shutdown zone. Free shuttle buses will operate for customers traveling between Minnesota Ave and Eastern Market. Consider other Metrobus service as an alternate.
Rosslyn - Blue Line trains will operate every 12 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Arlington Cemetery ONLY. Customers should use the Yellow Line and switch to Orange/Silver at L'Enfant Plaza to continue with their trip or use Arlington Transit (ART) Route 43 between Crystal City, Arlington Cemetery and Rosslyn. Shuttle buses will provide service weekdays between Rosslyn and Arlington Cemetery every 24 minutes during midday ONLY. Weekends at 10:00 p.m. Blue Line service will run between Franconia-Springfield andPentagon ONLY.
TRAVEL ALTERNATIVES:
DC SafeTrack page (ddot.dc.gov/safetrack) - District Department of Transportation transit options during SafeTrack Surges
Prince George's County Public Works & Transportation - Transportation Options for Metro SafeTrack plan
goDCgo (Safetrack.goDCgo.com) - Resources for DC residents, commuters and visitors to plan for SafeTrack
Fairfax County SafeTrack Page (FairfaxCounty.gov/SafeTrack) - Resources for commuters in Fairfax County during Metro's continuing track work
Arlington County SafeTrack Page - Know your options for Metro's SafeTrack plan in Arlington County
Prince William County SafeTrack Page - Potomac and Rappahanock Transportation Commission (PRTC) plans during Metro's SafeTrack program
BUS
Printable detailed bus information (pdf)
Customers should also consider Metrobus, DC Circulator, Prince George's County TheBus ,
Arlington Transit (ART), Fairfax Connector for alternate routes.
Important routes for connecting to Green Line stations include:
-- V2 (Anacostia Metro)
-- V4 (Navy Yard Metro)
-- B2 (Anacostia Metro)
-- X2 (Gallery Place Metro)
-- 32,34,36 (Southern Avenue, Branch Avenue Metros)
-- F4 (PG Plaza)
-- F6 (Ft Totten)
-- P12 (Suitland)
Riders are encouraged to use existing Metrobus services to ride past the closed segments to their destinations. Service provided all hours of the day.
-- Pennsylvania Avenue SW: 32,34,36,39
-- H Street NE: X1,2,3
-- 8th Street NE: 90,92
At Eastern Market -
30N Naylor Rd Station - Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station- Federal Triangle Station - McPherson Sq Station- Farragut North Station - Farragut West Station - Foggy Bottom Station- Friendship Heights Station - Tenleytown Station
30S Southern Ave Station- Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station- Federal Triangle Station - McPherson Sq Station - Farragut North Station- Farragut West Station - Foggy Bottom Station - Friendship Heights Station - Tenleytown Station
32 Southern Ave Station - Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station - Archives Station - Federal Triangle Station - McPherson Sq Station - Farragut North Station - Farragut West Station - Foggy Bottom Station
34 Naylor Rd Station - Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station - Archives Station
36 Naylor Rd Station - Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station - Archives Station - Federal Triangle Station - McPherson Sq Station - Farragut North Station - Farragut West Station - Foggy Bottom Station
39 Naylor Rd Station- Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station - Archives Station - Federal Triangle Station - McPherson Sq Station - Farragut West Station - Foggy Bottom Station (Limited Stops - Mon to Fri -AM/PM Service Only)
At Minnesota Ave -
U4 Sheriff Rd- Minnesota Ave Station - River Terrace
U5/U6 Mayfair - Benning Road Station - Minnesota Ave Station - Lincoln Heights
U7 Deanwood Station - Minnesota Ave Station
U8 Minnesota Ave Station - Benning Road Station - Benning Heights
V2 Capitol Heights Station - Minnesota Ave Station - Anacostia Station
V4 Capitol Heights Station - Minnesota Ave Station - Potomac Ave Station - Navy Yard Station
X1 Minnesota Ave Station - Union Station Station - Federal Triangle Station - Foggy Bottom Station
X2 Minnesota Ave Station - Gallery Place Station - Metro Center Station - McPherson Sq Station
X3 Minnesota Ave Station - NoMA-Gallaudet Station- U Street Station - Woodley Park Station -Tenleytown Station
X9 Capitol Heights Station - Minnesota Ave Station - Gallery Place Station - Metro Center (Limited Stops)
(Enhanced midday schedule/regular timetable)
At Stadium Armory -
B2 Mount Rainier terminal- Stadium Armory Station - Potomac Ave Station - Anacostia Station
96 Capitol Heights Station - Benning Road Station - Union Station - U Street Station- Woodley Park Station - Tenleytown Station
97 Capitol Heights Station - Benning Road Station - Union Station
(Enhanced weekday rush schedule/regular timetable)
D6 Sibley Hospital - Dupont Circle Station - Farragut North Station - Farragut West Station - Metro Center - Union Station - Stadium Armory
At Potomac Avenue -
30N Naylor Rd Station - Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station - Federal Triangle Station -McPherson Sq Station - Farragut North Station - Farragut West Station - Foggy Bottom Station - Friendship Heights Station - Tenleytown Station
30S Southern Ave Station - Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station - Federal Triangle Station - McPherson Sq Station - Farragut North Station - Farragut West Station - Foggy Bottom Station - Friendship Heights Station - Tenleytown Station
32 Southern Ave Station - Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station - Archives Station - Federal Triangle Station - McPherson Sq Station - Farragut North Station - Farragut West Station - Foggy Bottom Station
34 Naylor Rd Station - Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station - Archives Station
36 Naylor Rd Station - Potomac Ave Station - Eastern Market Station - Archives Station - Federal Triangle Station - McPherson Sq Station - Farragut North Station - Farragut West Station - Foggy Bottom Station
39 Naylor Rd Station - Eastern Market Station - Archives Station - Federal Triangle Station - McPherson Sq Station - Farragut West Station - Foggy Bottom Station (Limited Stops - Mon to Fri -AM/PM Service Only)
M6 Bradbury Heights - Potomac Ave Station
Potomac Ave Metro - Skyland via Barracks Row
Dupont Circle - Georgetown - Rosslyn
TheBus - Prince George's County
15X Greenbelt Metro to New Carrollton Metro (FREE shuttles operate every 20 minutes)
16 Greenbelt Metro to New Carrollton Metro
18 Langley Park - Prince George's Plaza Metro - Addison Road Metro
Arlington Transit (ART) -
Route 43 - Crystal City/Rosslyn/Courthouse
Supplemental Express Service to Pentagon (Route 599):
Vienna Metrorail Station (AM/PM rush only)
Reston North Park & Ride
Existing Express Service to Pentagon from:
Backlick North Park & Ride
Gambrill Road Park & Ride
Reston North Park & Ride
Saratoga Park & Ride
Potomac and Rappahanock Transportation Commission (PRTC) and Omni Ride -
The last evening trip of the Prince William Metro Direct from the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station will depart 15 minutes later than scheduled, enabling more passengers to make that connection. The delay of the last evening trip will only be in effect during this phase of SafeTrack.
Eastern Prince William County residents may want to ride one of the many PRTC OmniRide buses to the Pentagon, Crystal City or Rosslyn-Ballston and transfer to Metrobus, Arlington Transit bus or Alexandria DASH bus.
Those who travel mid-day should consider PRTC's Dale City - Washington OmniRide MX-1 trip, which leaves PRTC at 11:05 a.m. and picks up passengers at the Route 123/ I-95 Commuter Lot before traveling straight to multiple destinations in downtown D.C.
Passengers who use Metro to travel to Alexandria or South Arlington may want to consider these options:
Catch a Virginia Railway Express train at Franconia-Springfield and ride to King Street or Crystal City;
Ride a Lake Ridge - Mark Center OmniRide bus or a Dale City - MarkCenter OmniRide bus and transfer at the Mark Center to a Metrobus or the Alexandria DASH bus.
COMMUTER RAIL & STREETCAR
For customers driving on I-95/BW Parkway from northeast of DC, consider taking the MARC Penn Line (via New Carrollton) or MARC Camden Line (via Greenbelt) downtown.
For customers south of Largo Town Center, consider parking at Branch Ave, Suitland, Naylor Road or Southern Ave and taking the Green Line to downtown
For customers north of New Carrollton, consider parking at Greenbelt and taking the Green Line downtown
DC Streetcar - H/Benning Line
PARKING
Current Park & Ride customers at New Carrollton, Landover and Cheverly should consider using Green Line Park & Rides at Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md or Prince George's Plaza.
Current Park & Ride customers at Largo Town Center, Morgan Boulevard, Addison Road and Capitol Heights should consider using Green Line Park & Rides at Branch Avenue, Suitland, Naylor Road and Southern Ave
BIKING
Capital Bikeshare - A bike transit service of the departments of transportation in the District of Columbia, Arlington County, the City of Alexandria and Montgomery County.
Washington Area Bicyclist Association - Information on bike options in SafeTrack Surge zones
Bike Arlington - Information to make it easy for cyclists in Arlington to get where they need to go, including more than one hundred miles of multi-use trails, on-street bike lanes, and designated bike routes.
Washington & Old Dominion Trail - scenic bike route from Herndon, Vienna, Dunn Loring, Falls Church.
CARPOOLS, VANPOOLS & OTHER RESOURCES
Commuter Connections - Provides commute options to get to work and get you home in an unexpected emergency. Among many services, it offers ridematching for carpools and vanpools and administers the Guaranteed Ride Home program.
goDCgo - Resource for transportation information and options for getting into and around the District.
RideSmart Solutions - Guide to alternative transportation options in Prince George's County.
Maryland RideShare - Program offered by the MTA's Commuter Assistance Office that enables thousands of commuters to reduce their commuting costs through the use of carpooling, vanpooling and various alternative commute options.
Commuter Page - Arlington County website with helpful links and information regarding local commute options.
Fairfax County Ride Sources - The RideSources program provides commuters with free ridesharing information, including ridematching assistance to form or join carpools or vanpools.
Loudoun County Commuter Services - Links to commute options for carpools. vanpools, biking, transit and more.
Vanpool Alliance - A public-private partnership to support vanpool riders and providers in Northern Virginia.
If you have any questions or need assistance planning your trip, please call Metro Customer Service at (202) 637-7000.