by realtype
Metro recently discussed a proposal to split the Blue Line at Pentagon station and run some rush hour trains up to Greenbelt. While this idea has been thrown around for some time, this is the first time it's been seriously considered by management. Apparently this new line (created from the split) would be designated the "Brown Line" (Silver and Purple are already taken), and would run from Franconia-Springfield all the way to Greenbelt. I love this idea since I often take the Green Line between College Park/U-MD and Ft. Totten where I switch to Red, and this would provide more frequent service (although I mostly travel Metro in afternoon off-peak, and take MARC in the morning).
Greater Greater Washington article
WTOP News Article
WMATA presentation
There are two minor problems I see with this plan:
1. I can't imagine the headache of trying to schedule three lines on the same track, especially when the current lines already have relatively short headways. The Brown Line would have to fit into Blue, Yellow, and Green Line schedules.
2. Someone posted on GGW that Metro cars don't have Brown LED's, and I doubt they're readily commercially available. This is a minor issue though, since they can just leave the color dark.
Greater Greater Washington article
WTOP News Article
WMATA presentation
There are two minor problems I see with this plan:
1. I can't imagine the headache of trying to schedule three lines on the same track, especially when the current lines already have relatively short headways. The Brown Line would have to fit into Blue, Yellow, and Green Line schedules.
2. Someone posted on GGW that Metro cars don't have Brown LED's, and I doubt they're readily commercially available. This is a minor issue though, since they can just leave the color dark.