Railroad Forums 

  • Metro, MARC, MTA, and VRE coronavirus response

  • Discussion related to DC area passenger rail services from Northern Virginia to Baltimore, MD. Includes Light Rail and Baltimore Subway.
Discussion related to DC area passenger rail services from Northern Virginia to Baltimore, MD. Includes Light Rail and Baltimore Subway.

Moderators: mtuandrew, therock, Robert Paniagua

 #1536404  by davinp
 
Metro, MARC, MTA, and VRE all have new cleaning policies to disinfect frequently touched surfaces on trains and buses, even though there are no known coronavirus transmissions from transit yet. The agencies are also urging riders to wash their hands frequently and to avoid public transportation if they believe they are sick

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transpor ... ronavirus/
 #1536614  by JDC
 
"As of 2 p.m., Friday, March 13, Metro has further escalated its response to Phase 3 of its Pandemic Flu Plan. Phase 3 is the highest level of response and will include all subsequent mitigation steps required during the public health emergency. Metro expects to be at Phase 3 until further notice." From a rail perspective, Metrorail will operate at 12-minute headways M-F.

https://www.wmata.com/about/news/Metro- ... in-content
 #1536705  by mtuandrew
 
VRE planning to operate a regular Monday schedule 3/16.l, except that they aren’t cross-honoring with Amtrak due to its reduced schedule.
https://member.everbridge.net/431700047 ... /2xxxxjCf1

As is MDOT MTA (and presumably MARC) with the exception that the entrance to the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center from Johns Hopkins Subway Station is closed at the hospital’s request.
https://www.mta.maryland.gov/coronavirus

Given the circumstances, even though this is a train forum I’d welcome updates on the local bus systems’ responses - ART, DASH, PRTC, FFX Connector, Loudoun Co Transit, THE Bus, Ride On, DC Connector, and others I missed. So far, beyond heavy doses of disinfectants, the only real change I see is that Ride On (MontCo) is eliminating fare collection and making everyone board through the rear door.
 #1536714  by STrRedWolf
 
mtuandrew wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 7:24 pm VRE planning to operate a regular Monday schedule 3/16.l, except that they aren’t cross-honoring with Amtrak due to its reduced schedule.
https://member.everbridge.net/431700047 ... /2xxxxjCf1

As is MDOT MTA (and presumably MARC) with the exception that the entrance to the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center from Johns Hopkins Subway Station is closed at the hospital’s request.
https://www.mta.maryland.gov/coronavirus

Given the circumstances, even though this is a train forum I’d welcome updates on the local bus systems’ responses - ART, DASH, PRTC, FFX Connector, Loudoun Co Transit, THE Bus, Ride On, DC Connector, and others I missed. So far, beyond heavy doses of disinfectants, the only real change I see is that Ride On (MontCo) is eliminating fare collection and making everyone board through the rear door.
RTA Maryland (Howard/AA county) and Annapolis Transit are also on the heavy disinfectant routine but otherwise full schedule.

Ocean City's Beach Bus is on a winter schedule until April 5th.
 #1536802  by STrRedWolf
 
MARC service just came back with an update:
  • Regular service on all lines.
  • New Penn Line schedule as advertised. (don't know how it will knock against the reduced Amtrak schedule)
  • No Amtrak cross-honoring trains (they aren't running!)
Expect tweaks!
 #1536885  by STrRedWolf
 
Just coming over the wires now. MARC on R-with-additions schedule starting Tuesday due to decimated ridership.
  • PENN: Trains 403, 502(all stops), 453, and 452 will operate.
  • CAMDEN: No additional trains
  • BRUNSWICK: 872 (all stops along main route), 875 (extended to Martinsburg), 877
 #1537082  by JDC
 
Metro has further tightened its belt. https://www.wmata.com/about/news/METRO- ... in-content. For Metrorail, 15-minute headways on all lines and hours will be weekdays 5AM-11PM, Sat/Sun 8AM-11PM. Metro is also telling people NOT to travel via Metrorail to the Cherry Blossoms.
 #1537323  by mtuandrew
 
WMATA down to 30 minute weekend headways on all lines plus a Sunday bus schedule. I’ve seen pictures of very crowded buses - a significant number of people still have to work either for money or because they’re deemed essential - so this seems like WMATA is cutting too much service.
 #1537362  by mtuandrew
 
Non-train-related: DASH (Alexandria) has moved to no-fare rear-board service, except for disabled folks who need the front lift.
Attachments:
E2B72964-6A5E-4F44-924D-5175A514F009.jpeg
E2B72964-6A5E-4F44-924D-5175A514F009.jpeg (29.76 KiB) Viewed 2018 times
 #1537369  by MACTRAXX
 
JDC wrote: Fri Mar 20, 2020 10:38 am Starting Thursday March 19, Metro has permanently closed Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations in order to dissuade people from using them to see the cherry blossoms. https://www.wmata.com/about/news/arling ... closed.cfm
JDC and Everyone:

I found the closing of both Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery Stations interesting
with the largest percentage of riders using these two stations being visitors to DC.

If anyone does not know Cherry Blossom Bloom time is one of the busiest tourist
week(s) of the year in Washington. The financial losses are going to be substantial.
Is the DC Government also discouraging driving to the Mall and Tidal Basin areas?

Tourism to Washington (and for that matter anywhere) is going to take a huge hit.
Springtime overall is weatherwise the best time of the year to visit Washington.

Limiting public transit to essential workers (despite the substantial ridership losses)
is a necessity for the time being as previously noted...MACTRAXX
 #1537384  by STrRedWolf
 
MACTRAXX wrote: Sat Mar 21, 2020 5:39 pm I found the closing of both Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery Stations interesting
with the largest percentage of riders using these two stations being visitors to DC.

If anyone does not know Cherry Blossom Bloom time is one of the busiest tourist
week(s) of the year in Washington. The financial losses are going to be substantial.
Is the DC Government also discouraging driving to the Mall and Tidal Basin areas?

Tourism to Washington (and for that matter anywhere) is going to take a huge hit.
Springtime overall is weatherwise the best time of the year to visit Washington.

Limiting public transit to essential workers (despite the substantial ridership losses)
is a necessity for the time being as previously noted...MACTRAXX
Yeah, they're trying to accommodate by turning the event virtual (doing it online). Not sure how they're do that.
 #1537645  by daybeers
 
WMATA is closing 17 additional stations, bringing the total to 19, and closing 30 entrances at stations with multiple entrances to stretch their workforce and cleaning supply longer.

Here's the list of closed stations. Look at the link above for closed entrances and other info.
Due to close proximity to other stations:
Cheverly
Federal Center SW
Federal Triangle
Mt Vernon Sq
Judiciary Sq
Archives
Greensboro
Eisenhower Ave
Virginia Square
Cleveland Park
Due to low ridership, "yesterday" being March 23:
Grosvenor-Strathmore (230 trips yesterday)
Cheverly (159 trips yesterday)
Clarendon (299 trips yesterday)
East Falls Church (239 trips yesterday)
College Park (325 trips yesterday)
McLean (148 trips yesterday)
Morgan Boulevard (322 trips yesterday)
Van Dorn St (404 trips yesterday)