[MD-Sligo] Basic information about WMATA changes

Sat Oct 10 17:09:03 UTC 2020

From: Denise Rush [mailto:drush301 at outlook.com] 
Sent: Saturday, October 10, 2020 12:18 PM

From: Blake, Christiaan P. <cblake at wmata.com <mailto:cblake at wmata.com> > 

Other Information

The Covid-19 pandemic costing Metro hundreds of millions of dollars. With ridership down by 80% from pre-pandemic levels and with no additional federal help, Metro has to make difficult decisions to balance the budget shortfall.  Metro is preparing to resume fare collection on Metrobus and cut costs by limiting the use of contractors, furloughing employees, and deferring some capital program expenses. But the budget shortfall is so large, some service cuts and layoffs will also be needed beginning this December.

Metro is requesting your feedback on its Fiscal Year 2021 budget amendments proposals <https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/index.cfm>  that include:

*       Metrorail service adjustments during weekdays. Trains would operate trains every 12 minutes at all times. Additional Red Line trains would operate every 12 minutes between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Silver Spring (known as “turnbacks”), so that the Red Line would operate every 6 minutes in the core.

*       Metrorail service adjustments during weekends. Red Line trains would operate every 12 minutes on Saturday and all other lines would operate trains every 15 minutes on Saturday. All lines would continue to operate trains every 15 minutes on Sunday.

*       Yellow Line Turnback. All Yellow Line trains would operate between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Sq only, instead of Greenbelt.

*       Close the Metrorail system earlier Sunday through Thursday. The system would close at 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and would continue to close at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

*       Continue reduced Metrobus service and operating hours. All changes that were implemented in August 2020 will remain in effect, including buses ending service at midnight. View the docket pages <https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/upload/proposed-service-adjustments-by-jurisdiction.pdf>  for more information about the bus proposals.

Full details available at wmata.com/budget <https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/index.cfm> .

Virtual Public Hearing and Feedback Information:

*       Provide your feedback by 9 a.m. Monday, October 19, 2020 by taking the online survey <https://covid-19servicechanges.questionpro.com/>  and provide written comments. 

*       Register here <https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget/budget-virtual-participation.cfm>  to provide comment during the virtual public hearing. 

*       View the Public Hearing Presentation at wmata.com/budget <https://www.wmata.com/initiatives/budget> .

*       Attend the virtual public hearing at 3 p.m., Tuesday, October 13 at YouTube.com/MetroForward <https://www.youtube.com/user/MetroForward>  or call 202-962-2511 for phone-in instructions.

Your feedback will be provided to Metro’s Board of Directors in November 2020 as part of the final decision-making process. Please encourage your colleagues and stakeholders to provide their feedback on these proposals – some of these proposals may impact them. Any Board-approved fare or service changes will begin on or around January 1, 2021.

Thank you so much for sharing this information. Digital flyers about the budget amendment proposals are available in multiple languages and ready to download at the top of the web page. As Metro’s new Outreach Manager, I will be taking over email communications from Lisa Schooley to notify you about projects that may impact you. Let me know if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Christiaan Blake
Managing Director
Department of Access Services
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
600 Fifth Streets NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 962-2100
www.wmata.com/accessibility <http://www.wmata.com/accessibility> 

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