Residents Find Ways To Commute Without Metrorail Service (PHOTOS)
Metrorail service remained suspended on Wednesday for emergency inspections following a tunnel fire near McPherson Square Station on Monday. Metro officials say nearly 600 “jumper cables” need to be inspected due to safety concerns.
For Montgomery County commuters who rely on the service that meant looking for alternative methods of transportation. 
Gregory Newsome uses the Bethesda Metro Station to commute to his job in Rockville.
“I’m getting to work by bus. I usually do the subway but today since Metro is closed I have to [go] by bus,” Newsome said
Some residents were shocked to find out that Metrorail service was suspended.
Halijah Watts lives in Silver Spring and uses the metro to get to the gym in Rockville.
“I found out about the station closing about 12 p.m. this afternoon, most likely I’ll get home by bus,” Watts said.
Maddy Davison and her husband decided to take advantage of a free 24 hour membership with Capital Bikeshare. It took Davison nearly two hours to commute from Adams Morgan to Bethesda by bike and she wasn’t shy about sharing her advice for Metro officials.
“I’m surprised that they let us ride home on the Metro last night when it was so dangerous that they had to take a day off. You can take a look at the London Underground, it was built in the 1860’s and it’s actually way better functioning than this one. There’s no smoke [and] it doesn’t shut down because of fires or anything like that,” Davison said.
Officials expect to restart rail service at 5 a.m. on Thursday morning.
Metro plans restoration of Metrorail service for Thurs., March 17 following emergency inspections: https://t.co/NWVKItigMR #wmata
— Metro (@wmata) March 16, 2016
Gregory Newsome normally takes the Metrorail to Rockville but he has to take the bus today. #MetroShutdown pic.twitter.com/LGJLe1GBrz
— Willie James Inman (@imwilljames) March 16, 2016
People are taking advantage of free 24h @bikeshare membership here in #Bethesda #MetroShutdown @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/080x4ukMpT
— Willie James Inman (@imwilljames) March 16, 2016
.@maddy_davison & Jack Davison used @bikeshare to commute from Adams Morgan to #Bethesda #MetroShutdown @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/SYuZU0LO8L
— Willie James Inman (@imwilljames) March 16, 2016
Nearly empty parking lot at Twin Brook Metro Station #MetroShutdown#Rockville@mymcmediapic.twitter.com/IdAb05TcyA
— Willie James Inman (@imwilljames) March 16, 2016
Related:
Red Line Stations to Close This Weekend for Purple Line Work
The Red Line will close four Metro stations in Montgomery County during Presidents’ Day weekend. The Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont stations will be closed in order to allow for Purple Line construction and integration. The shutdown will take place from Saturday, Feb. 15 to Monday, Feb. 17. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit […]
Residents Find Ways To Commute Without Metrorail Service (PHOTOS)
Metrorail service remained suspended on Wednesday for emergency inspections following a tunnel fire near McPherson Square Station on Monday. Metro officials say nearly 600 “jumper cables” need to be inspected due to safety concerns. For Montgomery County commuters who rely on the service that meant looking for alternative methods of transportation. Gregory Newsome uses the […]
Metro Closes System All Day Wednesday for Emergency Inspections
Metro General Manager/CEO Paul Wiedefeld has announced the full closure of the Metrorail system on Wednesday, March 16, for emergency inspections of the system’s third-rail power cables following an early morning tunnel fire yesterday. This is the first time the system has been shut down for non-weather conditions. According to a news release, the inspections […]
Ride On Bus Service Adding Buses on Wednesday
Montgomery County’s Ride On bus service is planning to add buses when possible to routes on Wednesday in response to the Metro rail outage. According to a county news release, there are 85,000 daily Metro rail travelers in Montgomery County. Commuters are encouraged to adjust their travel plans accordingly. Montgomery County Government will be open […]
Mikulski on Metro Shutdown: "I'm Frustrated That It Has Come To This"
U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski issued the following statement on WMATA’s decision to shut down Metro: “This decision is an incredible disruption to everyone who uses Metrorail. However, safety first must be a mandate. More than 700,000 people ride this system each day. For those who work on it, for those who ride it to work, […]
Engage us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Tweets by @mymcmedia