Trains are operating once every 20 minutes for the next 24 days on the D.C. Metro, dealing massive delays to rush hour riders.
Commuters faced overcrowding on trains and platforms, leading to long delays in the system Monday. Orange and silver line trains are running just once every 20 minutes, even during rush hour. People were packed body to body in Metro cars, and riders found themselves waiting for several trains before finding one with any space on it. The delays are also causing crowding on blue line trains at the Rosslyn stations, reports NBC Washington.
Officials warned riders Friday that SafeTrack Surge 11 could have the largest impact on riders yet.
“There will be a severe reduction in train service,” Joe Leader, Metro’s chief operating officer, said during a press conference. “The first two weeks of this surge will be worse than anything most of our riders have experienced so far since we’ve started SafeTrack.”
Safety Surge 11 will extend through Dec. 21 and trains will continuously single track between the East Falls Church and West Falls Church stations. Orange line trains will run once every 20 minutes between the Vienna and New Carrollton stations and silver line trains will run once every 20 minutes between the Wiehle-Reston East station and Largo Town Center. Officials are encouraging orange and silver line riders to use alternative transportation for their commutes.
Officials continue to warn riders that platforms and trains will be severely overcrowded, particularly during the morning and evening rush. Blue line riders are reminded to expect overcrowding on trains between the Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory stations due to the reduced service.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.