Washington D.C. Metro Apologizes for Delays

Washington D.C. Metro Apologizes for Delays

Early Monday morning commuters in Washington D.C. experienced serious delays after the Metro Rosslyn station had to be shut down for several hours. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) issued a statement of apology to their Blue, Orange and Silver line customers saying that shortly before 8 a.m. the Metro Operations Control Center had received a report of smoke in the tunnel between Rosslyn and Foggy Bottom stations. Both tracks had to be shut down so that the issue could be investigated and fixed.

According to The Hill, Rosslyn metro station is a connecting point for three of its six subway lines. The WMATA stressed that the actions taken were done with the public’s safety in mind.

In an attempt to ease some of the delays the WMATA offered a shuttle bus service which allowed some riders to get onto their connecting train. The metro rail service was reestablished a little after 11 a.m. after numerous third-rail insulators were replaced.

NBC Washington described the commute as long and confusing as many people did not know which shuttle to get onto, if they were able to get on at all. Those who opted to use Uber, the on-demand car service found themselves subject to rates 4.7 or 4.9 times higher than usual, because the demand was so high.

WMATA said in their statement, “We expect to have these repairs completed by mid-afternoon, with normal two-track service in time for this evening’s rush hour.”