Metro prepares for a snowy winter

Adam Tuss, wtop.com

WASHINGTON — The next time winter weather hits, Metro says it will be more prepared than ever. The transit agency now has an updated snow plan, as well as plenty of new equipment.

“We have significant infrastructure improvements,” Metro’s Rail Chief Dave Kubicek told his board of directors recently.

“We can do things on rail cars — we have de-icers on rail cars, we have specially designed snow shoes, we have snow plow equipment that we can deploy on every rail line.”

Metro also is giving riders a better idea of what to expect during storms.

This is from a recent presentation:

• 0 to 1 inch of snow — Normal bus and rail service.

• 1 inch to 2 inches of snow — Normal bus schedule expect some deviation and re-routes. Normal rail service with some minor delays.

• 2 inches to 4 inches of snow — Transition from scheduled bus service to core service levels. Bus service maintained on heavily traveled routes maintained at approximately 15-minute headways, detours expected. Retreat service from outlying suburbs and hilly areas begins as buses become challenged. Train fleet size is maintained, but longer waits between trains. Minor delays expected.

• 4 inches to 8 inches of snow — Transition to lifeline bus service levels. Approximately 30-minute waits in between buses as conditions permit. Snow plow and ice scraper trains operating in between regular trains. Expect up to 15 minute delays.

• More than 8 inches of snow — Skeleton bus service. Bus service only available on busiest routes as conditions permit. Limited above ground service.

• More than 10 inches of snow — Skeleton bus service. Bus service only available on busiest routes as conditions permit. Operate rail service underground. If Yellow Line bridge remains open, this routing will be implemented.

Metro says it has learned lessons from the past.

“For example, cleaning of platforms, said Kubicek. “They used to pile all the snow in the middle of stations. Now, we have equipment that basically can blow it across the track into WMATA property.”

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