Unsuck DC Metro: Rider Concerned by Metro's Sandy Planning

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Rider Concerned by Metro's Sandy Planning

UPDATE 3: Limited rail and bus starting at 2 p.m. Tuesday

UPDATE 2: Metro will be closed tomorrow.

UPDATE: Feds closed Monday.

Metro has changed their information since I received the below email. It now reads:

Based on the current weather forecast, we plan to operate scheduled bus and rail service on Monday, October 29. However, modifications to service levels are possible based on changes in the forecast, electrical power status and actual weather conditions, including flooding.

If sustained wind speeds reach 50 mph or greater, Metro would consider a suspension of above ground service. Current forecasts do not contemplate sustained wind speeds greater than 50 mph in the Washington, DC, area.

From Tom:

Am I the only one concerned about the so-called "planning" for Sandy posted on Metro's Website? When Isabelle came through in 2003, they shut down (they said then 40+ mph winds would cause suspension, now, they say 50+.) Metro because of concerns that the trains would blow off the tracks. Now, the word is that if the winds get to 35-40 mph, they'll slow the trains down? Yeah, that's great for the 35-40 mph sustained winds - but what about the 50-60 mph gusts? I don't know about you, but I don't want to be on the Red Line train approaching Rhode Island Avenue station when those hit.

Metro is behaving like this is just going to be a stiff breeze, while the forecasters seem to be predicting much stronger winds and even stronger gusts. I don't know that I want to go to work Monday morning, only to have Metro suddenly change its mind and stop running the trains, leaving me stranded in downtown DC because they couldn't do some simple math. Or, worse, try to run trains in unsafe conditions. Oh, but Metro would never put its passengers' lives in danger, right? Wait, never mind - we already know the answer to that.

I'm told that the MTA in New York has already announced that it will stop running trains at 7:00 tonight. Admittedly, their concerns are probably more for track flooding than wind, but at least they seem to have realistically assessed the potential problems. Again, though, realistic assessments aren't exactly Metro's long suit, are they.

Comments (24)

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-19 Vote up Vote down

ARider · 647 weeks ago

So Unsuck is upset that WMATA is staying OPEN during Sandy?? Come on. I agree with 90% of the issues brought up on this site, but things like this are complaining just to complain.

4 replies · active 647 weeks ago

+25 Vote up Vote down

unsuckdcmetro 92p · 647 weeks ago

I think you miss the point of the blog.

-7 Vote up Vote down

Don · 647 weeks ago

No, I think we get the point of the blog...but to constantly whine about things over and over, when the darn system is staying OPEN!!! I will guarantee there would be just as many posts about 9am tomorrow if the system had decided to shut down early. There are legit issues with WMATA...this is not one of them.

+18 Vote up Vote down

unsuckdcmetro 92p · 647 weeks ago

Waffling inconsistency is a constant issue for Metro about pretty much everything.

And for the record, I don't think anyone is complaining about Metro staying open today.

People want, and deserve to have a decision made about TOMORROW.

And thanks for the complaining about complaining comment. I LOVE those.

+3 Vote up Vote down

DCRider · 647 weeks ago

People were upset when WMATA was planning to stay open when it was clearly unsafe to do so. It's not that hard to understand 'ARider.' I'd be shocked to find out that you weren't actually a WMATA employee.

+3 Vote up Vote down

@undefined · 647 weeks ago

Just wait until a train goes off the tracks and kills everyone abord. See what they say about that.

1 reply · active 647 weeks ago

+25 Vote up Vote down

Bob Smith · 647 weeks ago

"Trains are single tracking from Glenmont to Shady Grove due to a "train malfunction at Rhode Island Avenue. Allow 20-30 minutes additional travel time."

+14 Vote up Vote down

DCRider · 647 weeks ago

I'm sure there will be some epic WMATA fails over the next few days. Heaven help anyone who decides to take the Metro tomorrow.

+25 Vote up Vote down

swester · 647 weeks ago

Why doesn't Metro just switch to a weekend schedule for the next few days? That's basically the equivalent of shutting it down.

+8 Vote up Vote down

anon · 647 weeks ago

So in 2003 40 was enough. Now it's 50.

WTF?

No leadership!

2 replies · active 647 weeks ago

-10 Vote up Vote down

ARider · 647 weeks ago

That was 9 years ago, they probably have improved the tracks since then to handle higher winds. I have to assume all these delays for track work are hopefully doing something

+11 Vote up Vote down

swester · 647 weeks ago

Good one! That gave me a much needed laugh.

+6 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 647 weeks ago

Metro is the stupidest organization in the world. do they think we're stupid?

+15 Vote up Vote down

FED · 647 weeks ago

It's an OPM WMATA stare off to see who blinks first. Meanwhile, we're all screwed.

1 reply · active 647 weeks ago

+6 Vote up Vote down

Joe · 647 weeks ago

I think they're both waiting for someone to be killed while commuting as before making a decision.

+7 Vote up Vote down

BGMD · 647 weeks ago

I don't know what weather report Metro is reading because the one I just read said 60-65MPH winds Monday to Tuesday.

-3 Vote up Vote down

@undefined · 647 weeks ago

It's too early to know exactly what the storm is going to do this area, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if Metro changes its plans. But based on what is known so far about the storm path (5:45 p.m. ET) , it sounds as if Metro is making a good decision.

+6 Vote up Vote down

swester · 647 weeks ago

....aaaaand surprise surprise, Metro has changed plans and its closed the entire day tomorrow. EVERYTHING. That's intense.

+9 Vote up Vote down

Mike · 647 weeks ago

I'm glad the suspense is over. I hope everyone stays safe and keeps there power so we can continue to focus our anger at Metro instead of Pepco or Dominion.

+15 Vote up Vote down

Dan Stessel · 647 weeks ago

Unfortunately, one of our customers that works at NOAA created this storm which is going to cause the closure of the entire Metro system. Despite this monstrous storm created by one of our customers, you still got where you needed to go..... oh wait. What I meant was, during this monstrous storm, I can guarantee you 100% that there will be no delays!

You're welcome.

-8 Vote up Vote down

MDScot · 647 weeks ago

This was completely the wrong call by Metro - there was NO reason to shut down today - or tomorrow. There is NO reason to fear 40-50 mph winds - winds that happen with almost every line of thunder storms. Today was a long period of wind - yes, but that doen't matter to a train.

3 replies · active 647 weeks ago

+2 Vote up Vote down

IDoneWatchedTheNewz · 647 weeks ago

Lol, you almost got me.

+4 Vote up Vote down

DCRider · 647 weeks ago

WMATA has proven over and over again that its ability to offer safe and reliable service to its customers under normal circumstances is shockingly lacking. This inability would only be magnified during inclement weather. I'm glad that for once they didn't put innocent lives at stake as the result of their incompetence.

+3 Vote up Vote down

Albert · 647 weeks ago

Very good point. They can barely get by on a bright sunny day without killing thousands of people. It's probably for the best that they parked the trains for this storm.