Unsuck DC Metro: Foggy Bottom Escalator Swallows Riders

EndlessKng · 735 weeks ago

Now that Watson is active, the machines know that they have a champion who can triumph over the humans. Nothing will stop them.

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Dave · 735 weeks ago

1 reply · active 735 weeks ago

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unsuckdcmetro 92p · 735 weeks ago

To think it used to be a "joke."

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Corresponding Toads · 735 weeks ago

I've always dreamt of falling into an opened escalator. Metro makes dreams come true. If you think otherwise, then you can move out of D.C. and write some more trashy comments about my homies at WMATA.

How would I ever fall into an opened escalator if it weren't for Metro? Answer is, I would never fall into an opened escalator if it weren't for Metro. I thank my lucky stars every day. We live in the greatest city in the world, with the greatest transit system in the universe.

Is there a way I can manually increase the fare that I pay with my SmarTrip? I would like to pay $15 no matter what distance my train goes. I know WMATA could use the money to give their excellent repairmen an Easter bonus.

DOORS OPEN ON THE RIGHT, ESCALATORS OPEN AT THE BOTTOM.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

trickyricky · 734 weeks ago

thanks toad you could donate in my name to the big brothers and sisters of dc

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Andi · 735 weeks ago

METRO OPENS DO...er, ESCALATORS.

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One take · 735 weeks ago

This is terrible…Some years back while on travelling abroad I read a story of an airport escalator in New Delhi which collapsed on itself in the same way, pulling down a young girl who ultimately lost her life in a terrible way. This could have happened at Foggy Bottom.
Metro’s increasing failures are becoming more and more unacceptable without any improvement or end in sight.
Metro doesn’t open doors, because metro doesn’t care.

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F'n JD · 735 weeks ago

Did someone say lawsuit?

I should just quit my government attorney job and make a living suing Metro. It'd be a good living.

6 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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@hurricanedc · 735 weeks ago

You'd have an easier time uncovering a secret cabal that runs the entire world. With all the lawyers in this area, if WMATA were easily sued (and defeated) then we would probably be enjoying a much better transit system.

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Ralar · 735 weeks ago

I should consider doing the same. Hey, maybe we could be law partners.

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Ugh · 735 weeks ago

And now we hear from the ambulance chasers, seeking to rape the taxpayer of a few million without improving a thing.

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F'n JD · 735 weeks ago

Not even close. It's a public transit system that needs to be accountable to the public.

Maybe I should quit my job, this kind of thing is right up my escalator.

Ugh · 735 weeks ago

You get the best of both worlds. Metro is not accountable to the public, but the public pays for their mistakes.

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Err, so the correct move is to not have anything wrong for them to go after, right?

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dan · 735 weeks ago

Metro's Official Response:

'The alleged incident that some have suggested could have occurred at one of our Metro stations today is of fairy significant concern to us. We regret the inconvenience to any riders that may have experienced distress as a result of collapsing into a gaping maw of hungry steel, and we appreciate your patience as we continue to upgrade the escalators throughout the Metrorail system.
Riders should exercise caution when walking on escalators, which, just as a suggestion, are really only intended for standing.
The Metro Transit Police are investigating reports that the alleged incident may have been a terroristic action. Accordingly, the Board of Directors has already approached congress to procure emergency funding for additional random bag checks. Such checks could have stopped this incident that may or may not have occurred somewhere in the Washington DC Metro area.

And remember, if you see it, say it. Unless it’s our bad. Then keep your mouth shut, because collapsing escalators do not count as suspicious activity.

Thank you for choosing Metrorail, and we hope to see you again.'

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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Ever and Anon · 735 weeks ago

Oh I hope this is satire, Dan. If it isn't I am about to go off on a soap box moment here at Unsuck's expense.

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anon · 735 weeks ago

How come I can't find anything about this on the news or on WMATAs website? Insanity!

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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You can not be serious right?

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Jobe · 735 weeks ago

I have been riding Metro for just over ten years now. Over the last three days, I have opted to commute on my bike instead. During this timeframe, I missed any Fight Clubs on the Orange Line as well as escalators that eat people, but I did see three squirrels and a rabbit. Last but not least, I arrive at work in the morning and home in the evening much happier -- and usually ahead of schedule.

5 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

Corresponding Toads · 735 weeks ago

three squirrels and a rabbit? lucky!!!

Matt G · 735 weeks ago

Did you feed them like raccoons?

Mark · 735 weeks ago

Hey Jobe, good for you! I made the same decision back on Sept 1 and I have not ridden Metro to work since. Every single M-F, rain or shine, is better on my bike than on Metro.

anon · 735 weeks ago

Must be a cultural delicacy.

abc · 735 weeks ago

I love my bike too. In fact I figured out that in between court house and where I live (which sorry I'm not disclosing on a blog) between the time it takes to wait for trains and ride the metro especially on a good weekend with not irregular delays and then walk home from the metro, I can actually get there and back faster by bicycle! I'm scared to ride in the rain or dark though and I hate the cold. I can't wait until it gets light earlier. Not to mention all the money I save.

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@hurricanedc · 735 weeks ago

I've been commuting to school by car for the last week, and I have to say it's so much better than Metro. I've actually been leaving from farther away than usual, and yet it takes me about the same amount of time to get to university as it does by Metro. I do have the luxury of a reverse commute, but I think if I left early enough then a standard commute wouldn't be unbearable. I can roll the windows down, I don't have to worry about fights or robbers, I certainly feel more in control of things (even though it's statistically safer to ride Metro), and it's not much more expensive to drive than it is to take the Metro.

If I could just get a cheaper insurance rate and drive a fuel efficient car, I'd ditch Metro.

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Fr. Nathan Humphrey · 735 weeks ago

I was actually at the base of the escalator when this happened. The escalator was in operation and I was just about to step on to it when the panel below my feet rose and I head a great crashing noise. I saw the steps collapse in on themselves at the bottom and the woman immediately in front of me fell on her back in the middle of the wreckage, but not, thank God, into the chasm. Another man and I immediately pulled her up and made sure she wasn't injured. Shaken up and probably bruised, but not injured. Thank God I didn't lose my balance--all I had to do was jump backwards. No one else was directly involved. The Metro employee had been shouting before the accident "Everybody keep to the left. There's only one escalator in operation!" After I pulled the woman up, I said, "So much for everyone keeping left!" I decided there was nothing more for me to do and continued on my way, much shaken but also thankful that poor young woman wasn't seriously injured!

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Chris · 735 weeks ago

I guess it's good that the hospital is so close!

VA Commuter · 735 weeks ago

If there's one thing metro does right, it's the 16Y bus, which today will allow me to avoid using the Foggy Bottom Metro station to find my way home!

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michikoq 0p · 735 weeks ago

Does anyone know an agent who can provide DC Metro insurance?

2 replies · active 735 weeks ago

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I doubt any would for a reasonable cost. There is too high a risk of a substantial claim.

abc · 735 weeks ago

I'm not sure I exactly understand your question so this may not be the answer your looking for. However if what you are saying is you are looking for insurance in case you are injured on the metro and can't get them to pay, if you have car insurance and you can get and may even likely already have if you don't have a bare bones policy, a part of the policy that covers medical in an event you are having difficulty or unable to collect from an at fault party. This came in highly useful when I was in a metro bus crash-it was hard enough just to get a letter from metro saying they wouldn't pay and I only got it thanks to the hard work on my insurance agent. This was through Geico insurance and they were very helpful with the situation. I would imagine other insurance companies have similar parts on their policies as well, but I don't know.

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basil cronus · 735 weeks ago

I think we need PIDS for the escalators. It would help us riders out. For instance, we could have helpful messages such as:
1. Far right escalator continues to be repaired.
2. Middle escalator is a staircase now and sorta has been since.... forever.
3. Far left escalator is going to open up beneath you, pull you in, and destroy you.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

WTF · 735 weeks ago

They'd end up displaying VRE information.

Matt · 735 weeks ago

This is why I elevate now.
http://nextround.net/2011/02/whats-your-worst-esc...

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

WTF · 735 weeks ago

It has come to this: the Rape Cage is preferable to escalators. Wow.

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anon · 735 weeks ago

CALL Schindler Elev. Escalator ASAP!

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@JGPennypacker · 735 weeks ago

Metro constantly finds a way to FAIL

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Meredith · 735 weeks ago

This is mindblowing. I work at GWU and get off at Foggy Bottom most days. I just keep imagining what would have happened had the steps given out halfway up and not at the bottom -- the drop certainly wouldn't have been an easily survivable three feet.

I am truly at a loss for words about how unbelievably careless Metro is with our safety. I know I'm stealing John's thunder but Lacosse needs to be fired immediately. After that, we can talk about cleaning house even more, but I don't think there are any more excuses after today.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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hrh king friday 13 · 735 weeks ago

I say for every limb that a metro escalor snaps off of a customer, Lacosse must cut off the same limb from his body.

Wmata Wablows · 735 weeks ago

I think we can all take solace in Metro's ambiguous, irrelevant, and rambling response to this incident. "As you may be already knowing of, some repairs are in the process of going on now, please be mindful of your bag." I'm telling you 100 monkeys with 100 typewrites, someday, just someday we are going to get some of that, whatcha call it? Oh, Shakespeare.

dcfinfan 99p · 735 weeks ago

Our congressman and senators are more concerned about making sure Israeli settlers receive their 3 billion a year than they are with their own citiziens.

5 replies · active 735 weeks ago

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Ugh · 735 weeks ago

That's an idea - have the Israeli's run it!

jellibean · 735 weeks ago

it would run efficiently!

And the award this year for best non sequitur is ...

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Oscar · 735 weeks ago

I like popsicles!

abc · 735 weeks ago

They don't care because they don't use metro. They are completely overpaid and at least as of about a month ago do nothing but make our lives miserable and screw us.

Anon · 735 weeks ago

This is absolutely inexcusable!! But it's symptomatic of greater problems throughout our country. From what I understand our entire nation's infrastructure is on the verge of collapse - most notably our bridges.

If we don't essentially have the New Deal part 2 then we're all screwed. For what it's worth - there is still a whole lot of stimulus money that has not yet been spent - but dammit get on that!

This is incredible though - totally inexcusable.

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Doc · 735 weeks ago

metro has known for years that the escalators at foggybottom weren't heavyduty enough to handle the traffic they receive.they also knew you cannot reverse a unit's direction after they run in a certain direction for any givin time.the chains that hold the steps streach unevenly and the spring return doesn't have the adjustments to take up the slack.what they did when i was there was to unbolt the drive motor and put a twist in it and that unit wreaked similar to this one.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

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mr metro · 735 weeks ago

why didnt you replace the chain idiot. load share on an escalator is a band aid job.

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Joolz · 735 weeks ago

"Metro employee was telling everyone leaving the station to take the left hand escalator because the right hand was broken." That's a start. How about physically blocking the entrance of the deathtrap escalator with a fence or cones? Isn't that simple, low-tech safety procedure in place? Metro should know how to block off broken stuff since it has so much of it.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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ANON · 735 weeks ago

If you people had common sense you would never walk across a hole in the escalator.

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ANON · 735 weeks ago

If you people walk over an opening in the escalator, YOU'RE AN IDIOT

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andreashettle 44p · 735 weeks ago

I did not see the actual collapse of the escalator, but I did come through Foggy Bottom this morning on the way to and from a doctor's appointment. When I arrived, both escalators were okay though not moving. When I returned to go back home, I did see that the steps at the bottom of one of the escalators were missing/broken.

At the time I re-entered the metro station, there was a huge crowd of people trying to leave the station (I guess a full train had just arrived) and only a few of us trying to enter it. Although most of the people leaving did use the escalator that was still in okay repair, a few of the people at the bottom apparently were fed up waiting for their chance to come up the escalator and were using the broken one. There were cones there to warn people off, but no actual barrier to block access. People basically come through the cones, took a big step over the gap at the bottom, and then continued their way on up the rest of the escalator.

I didn't know what had caused that gap until my partner sent me this link.

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devaldragon 59p · 735 weeks ago

This is amazing. I live in Chicago, and we use so much salt here during the winter it attacks and eats away everything. Despite the rust, CTA (our subway system) keeps the escalators working, and we've never had one fall apart and eat people.

We've got salt. We've got rust. We have 50+ year old escalators. We stand on the right and walk on the left (some of the time). Yet, our escalators still work and certainly don't fall apart and hurt people.

Come on Metro - what's your excuse? This is just pathetic - I grew up with Metro, and used to brag about it to everybody here in Chicago. Now, I just can't do it. Sad.