Unsuck DC Metro: Escalators are Hard to Maintain, but who can Screw Up Stairs?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Escalators are Hard to Maintain, but who can Screw Up Stairs?

From Matt:

The "closed" stairs at Branch Avenue. The best part is that I lifted up the cones, etc - looked up for a leak, or overhead work - any reason why they would need to close that side of the stairs. There were absolutely none. Note the scissor gate at the top of the stairs, too. Oh boy. People don't realize how much maintenance stairs apparently need.

Other items:
Another alleged mob attack on Metro (NBC Washington)

Comments (42)

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+28 Vote up Vote down

Corresponding Toads · 734 weeks ago

we don't need stairs or escalators. we can commute WITH OUR MINDS

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

+5 Vote up Vote down

insider · 734 weeks ago

Why don't people get it? These attempts fall under -> "Inconvenience the customers so we can cry for more MONEY $$"

+1 Vote up Vote down

anon · 734 weeks ago

Jeter brought up on charges should go to the AFL-CIO to let them know that she is now Award material.

+14 Vote up Vote down

Matty · 734 weeks ago

The sad thing is that it looks like they closed off the wrong side. The side that is open is the one where it looks like water is coming down and should be closed off. Metro, you make me so proud.

4 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

+2 Vote up Vote down

JacksonsGirl · 734 weeks ago

Thats what I thought! The other side CLEARLY has more water...or water stains. You know how pesky water can be...since its been in the 40s, 50s, 60s and even low 70s.

+3 Vote up Vote down

WTF · 734 weeks ago

OMG I MIGHT MELT

-6 Vote up Vote down

JacksonsGirl · 734 weeks ago

Dude, calm down. I was only saying that because they "may" have closed down a part if there was standing water and it was 20 degrees out. Then yes, I could see why they would close some down. Freezing is 32 degrees. So if they thought it was to "cold" and put up the blocks...then they were wrong.

+3 Vote up Vote down

Matt G · 734 weeks ago

@Matty - the wetness is from some light snow that was on peoples' shoes the day this photo was taken.

+21 Vote up Vote down

Rory · 734 weeks ago

This looks like a trap set up by a coyote. Did the cones say, "Acme" on them?

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

0 Vote up Vote down

Ever and Anon · 734 weeks ago

hah! Good one!

+31 Vote up Vote down

basil cronus · 734 weeks ago

Stairs... that looks like a Metro escalator to me. Wait... those are stairs. No, it's a metro escalator. Man, I just can't tell anymore.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Kara · 734 weeks ago

Maybe it was not the stairs or the ceiling and gravity is messed up there! :)

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

+5 Vote up Vote down

JacksonsGirl · 734 weeks ago

I bet its all a dream. A metro workers dream. This way they don't have to deal with the people. Spinning top anyone?

+9 Vote up Vote down

abc · 734 weeks ago

Who can screw up stairs?

Metro and their unionized poorly trained ATU 689 workers. Oh and what would a mention of the ATU 689 be without a reminder that I do believe in slavery.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

+1 Vote up Vote down

insider · 734 weeks ago

I wonder if it would be a great suggestion to have every Station Manager take an online Customer Service Class. There after every six weeks a refresher/updated quiz. This would instill " the right stuff". Also refine the correct responses to customers. I think it would work.

+8 Vote up Vote down

James · 734 weeks ago

I think the story posted under 'other items' should be the featured story this morning.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

+3 Vote up Vote down

John · 734 weeks ago

Agreed

+6 Vote up Vote down

Samantha · 734 weeks ago

The story about the gentleman who was brutally assaulted by teens at the Suitland station is absolutely horrible. I found another video on the Fox website about the incident:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/traffic/metro_news/man...

+27 Vote up Vote down

hrh king friday 13 · 734 weeks ago

The stairs are on a mandatory union break.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

+3 Vote up Vote down

abc · 734 weeks ago

Aren't unions wonderful! (yes this is sarcastic).

0 Vote up Vote down

anon · 734 weeks ago

Generally, yes. This one, not so much.

+15 Vote up Vote down

@buzcajun · 734 weeks ago

Since its not moving, it must be an escalator.

+4 Vote up Vote down

hoosteen 82p · 734 weeks ago

Thank God Mitch Hedberg didn't have to live to see this.

-19 Vote up Vote down

LoxyBrown · 734 weeks ago

I agree that there are some idiots at Metro, but please stop blaming unions for everything. The epidemic in this country to crap on the working class is taking its toll. Management is the one making the big decisions, and successfully diverting the blame onto the faces you see daily.

5 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

+14 Vote up Vote down

Ever and Anon · 734 weeks ago

Are you seriously stating the union is innocent and a victim? Not so, little grasshopper. They may not be the sole problem but they sure are not a victim, and do contribute to the problem quite heavily.

...said from one of the little people working class riders...

+24 Vote up Vote down

dan · 734 weeks ago

Normally I'd be with you Loxy. But not with ATU 689. They, and their misanthropic, ineffectual, and apathetic members are responsible for the actual operation of the system.

Time and again, they fail. Fire them all. Privatize Metro.

The funny thing is that I'm not even a Republican, at all, and I want to privatize the Metro and see them all lose their jobs. What does that tell you about the public perception of its workers (and its management, which rightly bears its own share of the blame)?

+6 Vote up Vote down

@buzcajun · 734 weeks ago

Don't blame the Unions? Really . . .
All Unions or just the ATU 689?

I think its the other way around, I think its the hard working people in this country are sick tired of the Unions. They are outdated and corrupt.

+1 Vote up Vote down

Kara · 734 weeks ago

Unions in general are not who we blame. Just as in any group of things there are good ones and bad ones. Guess which category most of us place ATU 689 in?

+5 Vote up Vote down

abc · 734 weeks ago

The union is keeping hard working Americans from actually getting to work. Unions just add a whole other level of management and allow worthless pieces of trash like Jackie Jeter to get rich of the workers.

+7 Vote up Vote down

Ugh · 734 weeks ago

Feces, condoms, tampons, you have no idea what you'll find on stairs. At least escalators grind them up.

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

0 Vote up Vote down

abc · 734 weeks ago

I think your post gave me nightmares-yes I'm serious. I had a metro nightmare last night and then fortunetly I woke up because it was pretty scary and gross.

+18 Vote up Vote down

VeggieTart · 734 weeks ago

Metro Law (a corollary to Murphy's Law): If we can find a way to screw it up, we will!

1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago

+2 Vote up Vote down

Anon · 734 weeks ago

That's Metro's Pride!

0 Vote up Vote down

John · 734 weeks ago

Any updates on the Jeter vote? Results should be in soon, no?

4 replies · active 734 weeks ago

+3 Vote up Vote down

unsuckdcmetro 92p · 734 weeks ago

The voting is tonight and tomorrow.

0 Vote up Vote down

John · 734 weeks ago

Thanks, I thought it was last night and this morning so I thought the results were out. Greatly anticipating them!

+1 Vote up Vote down

anon · 734 weeks ago

I am not going into that Corrupt mad house! I might be the only white there.

+2 Vote up Vote down

anon · 734 weeks ago

The Union member was a joke tonight! Jackie Jeter created confusion so you could not hear and no order and only a handful of white males were there. The Sgt of Arms did not bother to maintain order. This Union, Local 689 is for blacks. The white people need their own union. 4 Police officers outside, wonder who paid the officers.

+1 Vote up Vote down

@davinpet · 734 weeks ago

At the Capitol South station, in addition to the 3 escalators (that frequently break down), their is a set of cement steps like the one in the picture. I have seen it closed 2 times in the past, one time it had ice on it and once it just appeared to be wet, but they kept it closed