Wrong-way signage confuses Metro passengers, employees

Commuters were warned that platforms would be different than normal at the West Falls Church Metrorail station in Virginia on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, the start of the ninth phase of Metro’s massive maintenance overhaul. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

These signs incorrectly labelled the direction Metrorail trains were headed, causing confusion for commuters at the West Falls Church station in Virginia on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein) — These signs incorrectly labeled the direction Metrorail trains were headed, causing confusion for commuters at the West Falls Church station in Virginia on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

Metro passengers are seen at the West Falls Church Metrorail station in this WTOP file photo. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein) — Confused passengers seek assistance after bad signage at the West Falls Church Metrorail station directed them to the wrong train on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016.The platforms were different from usual because of scheduled track work along the Orange Line route. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

A Metro staff worker removes temporary signage that directed commuters to the wrong trains at the West Falls Church Metrorail station on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, when the ninth and longest phase of Metro’s system wide maintenance overhaul began. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

Metro staff had to get rid of temporary signage that pointed commuters to the wrong trains at the West Falls Church Metrorail station on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. A Metro spokeswoman says it's not clear why the signs were posted erroneously. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein) — Metro staff had to get rid of temporary signage that pointed commuters to the wrong trains at the West Falls Church Metrorail station on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016. A Metro spokeswoman says it’s not clear why the signs were posted erroneously. (WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

(1/5)

Share This Gallery:

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Metro passengers and employees had to call an audible Thursday morning when temporary signage contradicted the direction trains were traveling.

With one of three tracks out of service for a new phase of Metro’s SafeTrack repairs, the remaining two tracks shared a single platform.

When the West Falls Church station opened, Metro’s temporary paper signs indicated that trains arriving on the outer track were heading downtown and trains on the middle, or pocket track, were heading to Vienna.

Orange line btwn W Falls Church and Vienna is just shuttle trains, every 24 mins. Inside WFC, normal service. pic.twitter.com/gxOdiQswRr

— Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) September 15, 2016

During phase nine of Metro’s track work, a shuttle train is running every 24 minutes, between West Falls Church and Vienna. However, passengers sitting on a train they thought was heading downtown were surprised to hear the operator announce their train was bound for Vienna.

Bewildered passengers left the train, looking at the signs and searching for a supervisor. One passenger pounded on the train and yelled in frustration, “What direction is this train going in?”

Confusion at West Falls Church. Signs say train going downtown, operator announced its going to Vienna. pic.twitter.com/9oX1CGTULz

— Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) September 15, 2016

Within minutes, several yellow-vested Metro employees were on the platform, and on radios, trying to understand what was happening.

At one point, the train operator was seemingly the only person aware which direction his train would be traveling.

Metro supervisors continued to direct passengers heading downtown toward trains on the center track, with trains to Vienna on the outer track.

Eventually, at 6:42 a.m., Metro employees took down the wrong-way signs.

Metro wisely taking down temporary signage that was confusing passengers. pic.twitter.com/jyKJtCGRzr

— Neal Augenstein (@AugensteinWTOP) September 15, 2016

Metro communications director Sherri Ly told WTOP it’s not clear why the signs were posted erroneously.

Ly said Metro procedures dictate that the shuttle trains must run on the outer track, while regular service runs on the center track.