Unsuck DC Metro: Metro Stonewalls Pentagon

Friday, February 8, 2013

Metro Stonewalls Pentagon

Illustration from this event. Photo via Kate

On Jan. 30, I published a story about how the Pentagon escalators had been allowed to run for months without undergoing routine safety inspections. In effect, Metro was rolling the dice with riders' safety.

I thought perhaps someone in the media would try to follow up, but alas, they didn't. I'd hoped the story was wrong and that Metro hadn't risked riders' lives. I'd hoped Metro would offer proof to debunk my tipster, but they didn't.

But one reader wanted to know more.

They wrote the Pentagon's facility management group asking them to look into it. The Pentagon said they'd asked Metro about it, and while the answer is hardly satisfying, it does show that Metro answers to no one--not even the Pentagon.

Names and titles are redacted at the request of the reader.

-----Original Message-----
From: XXXXX
[mailto:XXX@xxx.mil]
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 10:26 AM
To: XXXXX
Cc:XXXXXX
Subject: RE: Metro Escalators

Mr. XXX,

Couldn't get as much from Metro as I'd like, but Metro reports the
following:

The current escalators at Pentagon Station are 18 years old and are being
scheduled for replacement. The first escalator replacement project (south
escalator) is currently underway and project mobilization will occur as
early as today, but sometime this week at the latest.

Metro will not comment on blog articles or other numerous non-official
websites that may be available for public viewing. Equipment and facility
inspections are an on-going SOP for Metro.

XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX
XXXXX

How are we doing? http://www.xxxxxxx

Pretty unbelievable.

As I've said before, we're all alone out here. No one has our backs. Even when the U.S. military asks Metro for more information, they get stonewalled with Metro BS.

Other items:
Cell phone coverage delayed again (Examiner)
Public outreach meetings seems scheduled for minimal attendance (WMATA)
Metro issues pathetic "investigation" results on July Green Line meltdown (WaPo)

Comments (18)

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+24 Vote up Vote down

guest · 632 weeks ago

The arrogance is astounding.

1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

+3 Vote up Vote down

Anon · 632 weeks ago

WOW! The outreach meeting begin at 5:30 pm. I will still be standing on the train and waiting for the announcement; "We apologize for any inconvenience, we will be moving shortly".

+10 Vote up Vote down

BMK · 632 weeks ago

Jeebus. We are doomed.

+24 Vote up Vote down

@perkinsms · 632 weeks ago

Does any other public organization take the policy that they don't comment on things that are out there on blogs and non-official websites?

2 replies · active 632 weeks ago

+37 Vote up Vote down

unsuckdcmetro 92p · 632 weeks ago

What exactly is a non-official website anyway? This is the official website of Unsuck DC Metro, for example.

+4 Vote up Vote down

Dave Alpert · 632 weeks ago

If you're not Dave Alpert you're not official.

+18 Vote up Vote down

@MetroDerp · 632 weeks ago

Which facility management agency was this? Because there are a couple I could see being relevant here, and someone should contact them ALL. Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Washington Headquarters Service, DSS, etc. Civilian employees and servicemembers alike are risking life and limb just to leave the station.

1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

+13 Vote up Vote down

Dezlboy · 632 weeks ago

Unfortunately I don't think Metro would respond to a "bombardment of officials" inquiry. My opinion is not a comment on your suggestion. But Metro has their non-answers down pat. They have lot's of experience at it.

+16 Vote up Vote down

ANON · 632 weeks ago

As long as Metro continues to be above having to answer to anyone, nothing will change. Giving it more money will not help until the core values of accountability and transparency are established.

I've lived in a lot of places, and I've never seen a mass transit agency so antagonistic to its customers.

2 replies · active 632 weeks ago

+11 Vote up Vote down

Heather · 632 weeks ago

Agreed. WMATA acts alot more arrogant than healthcare organizations, and that is saying alot; I've worked with doctors and hospitals and larger physician practices, for a number of years, so I know blatant arrogance when I see it. And this is definitely arrogance.

Let's get Mr. Stessel on an unsafe escalator or a crowded train that gets stuck at rush hour, and let's see how well he likes it. I bet the arrogance might tone down a little.

+20 Vote up Vote down

Ryan · 632 weeks ago

Better yet, let's refuse to accept Dan Stessel as an accredited Metro source. I would encourage any media to request someone other than him to speak to. He's proven himself to be untrustworthy, misinformed, arrogant, and insensitive. Perception is reality in the realm of communications and the reality is Stessel consistently does a poor job for a six figure salary.

+22 Vote up Vote down

Stan Dessel · 632 weeks ago

We gave you our comment, which is "no comment."

You're welcome!

-22 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 632 weeks ago

The headline makes it seem like Metro is turning the military gay. We have Obma to blame for that!

-8 Vote up Vote down

Concerned · 632 weeks ago

The Pentagon is racist!

+5 Vote up Vote down

Dezlboy · 632 weeks ago

If these escalators were maintained by the Pentagon, they would be in tip-top shape as are the dozens of Pentagon owned escalators within the building. I wish the whole METRO system was maintained by the Pentagon staff!

+15 Vote up Vote down

DC20009 · 632 weeks ago

Earlier posters are correct - the as long as the Metro Board answers to no one, nothing will change.
We need regional leadership to stand up and re-examine the entire WMATA Compact structure, including taking a close look a re-creating the Board as an elected body, answerable to the voters.

1 reply · active 632 weeks ago

+7 Vote up Vote down

Anony-Moose · 632 weeks ago

@DC20009

The regional leadership does not stand up out of fear. However, it's not not fear of WMATA. It's that same fear kids gets when they "know" there is a monster under their bed and don't want to look. The first person to look under the bed has to accept responsibility for killing the monster. Whatever politician successfully dresses down metro will have to spearhead fixing it and possibly sacrifice their career in the process. So, they are quite comfortable being stonewalled and not standing up because remaining uninvolved costs them little politically and being stonewalled is an excuse for remaining uninvolved.

We need someone who is an idealist who can attract attention and forcefully follow through on the promises they make. In other words, we need Batman. Metro can only be fixed by Batman.

+4 Vote up Vote down

Guest · 632 weeks ago

...even Robin could do a better job with the battal-ax as we know it. "Holy escalators Batman can you help all these metro riders up to the street? They will thank you later as we leave in the Bat-mobile".