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    1. Rail

    Metro Suspends Service During Blizzard

    Jan. 22, 2016
    Related To: WMATA-Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

    Metro on Jan. 21, 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 Jan. 22-24 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 Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. 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.”

    Wiedefeld will activate the agency’s Emergency Command Center (ECC) starting at 4 p.m. Jan. 22, 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 Jan. 22, Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. with service both above and below ground until 11 p.m. 

    At 11 p.m., the Metrorail system will close and will remain closed all day during the weekend.

    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. 

    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 the weekend.

    MetroAccess 

    MetroAccess paratransit service for customers with disabilities will be suspended Jan. 22, 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 the weekend.