[RP TownTalk] METRO TO SUSPEND SERVICE DURING BLIZZARD

[Jessica Barnes]

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

. Visit Metro's website, www.wmata.com

. Sign up for MetroAlerts to receive email/text updates at
wmata.com/metroalerts

. Call 202-637-7000 for recorded updates

. Follow Metro on Twitter @metrorailinfo @metrobusinfo

 

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.

 

###

 

Charlie Scott
Senior Government Relations Officer, Maryland
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 Fifth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
cscott at wmata.com

=======================

Direct: 202.962.1006

Fax: 202.962.1016

=======================

 

 

 

Jessica

Jessica E. Barnes

Town Clerk

Riverdale Park

5008 Queensbury Road

Riverdale Park, MD 20737

www.riverdaleparkmd.info <http://www.riverdaleparkmd.info/> 

301-927-6381

 

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