It can be difficult to convey the challenges Washington’s Metrorail system faces as it undergoes the massive repair program known as SafeTrack. Although that plan aims to improve safety and reliability, riders still find plenty to complain about–long travel times, hot cars, being stuck in a tunnel for an hour.
Here, in reverse chronological order, is one month’s worth of news reports and complaints about traveling on Metro. If your friends don’t understand why you complain so much about your commute, send them this story. Pressed for time? No worries: The most updated plan postpones SafeTrack’s completion for at least one month.
August 31
1. Metro’s SafeTrack program prompts Marine Corps Marathon changes
2. Entrance at 19th Street to Metro’s Dupont Circle stop reopens
3. Metro closes rail station due to falling debris from ceiling
L'enfant platform towards Huntington. Good lord. #wmata @unsuckdcmetro pic.twitter.com/yKltEHRwKC
— Katie Corradini (@KatieCorradini) August 31, 2016
August 30
1. Delays for Metro riders on Orange, Silver and Yellow lines
August 29
@wmata @MetroRailInfo Blue line car 5059 is a #wmata #hotcar HT @BinaryDaniel. Car reported 12 times. https://t.co/1KhMpM3jk6
— MetroHotCars (@MetroHotCars) August 29, 2016
Check out these missing/disintegrated rail ties. Platform at Vienna this morning. #WMATA @unsuckdcmetro pic.twitter.com/Ul9JPzktEg
— dcmetrosucks (@dcmetrosucks) August 30, 2016
August 28
1. SafeTrack expected to bring ‘extreme crowding’ on part of Metro’s Blue and Yellow lines
2. Metro vehicle torched in an apparent arson, authorities say
August 27
1. Metro worker complains of sexual harassment, allegedly told “maybe this isn’t the job for you”
August 26
1. Delays possible because of ‘high track temperatures,’ Metro warns
No working escalators at DuPont Metro = lots of stairs on a hot, humid day. @unsuckdcmetro @wmata pic.twitter.com/dptJSeVeVf
— Patrick Pearson (@PatrickDirects) August 26, 2016
August 25
1. Normal service back on Metro’s Blue, Orange and Silver lines following earlier delays
2. Metro riders on the Orange Line should expect delays
3. Riders on Metro’s Red Line faced earlier delays
August 22
1. Metro riders face delays on Orange and Red lines
August 19
1. Delays for riders on Metro’s Blue and Red lines
August 18
1. Delays for Metro Red Line Riders due to track problem at Woodley Park
August 17
1. Arcing insulator near Friendship Heights caused delays on Metro’s Red Line
August 16
1. Red Line trains single-tracking between Van Ness and Dupont Circle Metro stations
.@dcfireems on the scene at Woodley Park metro for a reported arcing insulator @petemuntean @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/N0LEanOkkT
— Tom Hunsicker (@TomSportsWUSA9) August 16, 2016
August 15
1. Earlier delays for riders on Metro’s Red Line
2. Track problems on Blue, Orange and Silver Lines expected to last through PM rush
A leaking train:
@unsuckdcmetro rain came thru the doors in the new trains pic.twitter.com/I741icaI2W
— shae butta (@redskinsmomma86) August 15, 2016
And a leaking station:
Hey, could U send some caulk to Ft Totten? Mops too? @Metrorailinfo @unsuckdcmetro #wmata pic.twitter.com/ungnfdV3gp
— (((Kelly Perl))) (@kellyperl) August 15, 2016
August 13
@wmata @MetroRailInfo Orange line car 1206 is a #wmata #hotcar HT @caitlinverboon. Car reported 12 times. https://t.co/iqeps09CzJ
— MetroHotCars (@MetroHotCars) August 13, 2016
August 12
@wmata @MetroRailInfo Red line car 1124 is a #wmata #hotcar HT @MorganeRenoir. Car reported 36 times. https://t.co/vufGV0aCCf
— MetroHotCars (@MetroHotCars) August 12, 2016
August 11
1. Update: Orange Line resumes normal service after man struck by train at Minnesota Ave. Metro station
2. Blue and Silver Lines are no longer single-tracking; continued delays in both directions
Banner day for #wmata. For the uninitiated, "Alert" = "Delay" @FixWMATA @unsuckdcmetro pic.twitter.com/jlUDxVuwPe
— Joel. (@cajunjoel) August 11, 2016
August 10
@fox5dc @wmata pic.twitter.com/7evy1JSDHW
— arneatha (@NeathaLicious) August 10, 2016
Long journey:
@Metrorailinfo @unsuckdcmetro Problems on the Silver line between Ballston & EFC. We roll 10 ft then stop, roll 10 ft then stop.
— Tred Parry (@pvillepirate) August 10, 2016
August 9
1. Red Line has unrelated delays on top of SafeTrack
August 7
1. Man hit by Metro train in DC
August 3
1. Track problem causes delays on Metro’s Blue and Yellow lines
August 1
1. Metro Red Line passengers faced morning of delays as major repair work started today
Mandy is a web fellow at Washingtonian. She is a senior at Missouri School of Journalism. She focuses on reporting and visualizing news stories, in an effort to tell data-heavy stories in a more interesting and interactive way. Feel free to shoot Mandy an email or @ her at Twitter for ideas and thoughts.
