Metro’s Latest SafeTrack Work Brings Delays to Silver Line

Fewer trains, longer wait times and crowding are what’s in store for Silver and Orange Line Metro riders through next month.

Metro’s latest SafeTrack “surge” began today and is expected to last through at least Dec. 21. Reston residents who depend on Metro for their daily commute are likely to feel the pain.

Technical problems — like the decaying rail ties that led to the Silver Line derailment over the summer — have caused a number of issues along the Metrorail system in the past year.

Metro officials are advising commuters to find other ways to get to around the D.C. Metro area as the system’s huge push to boost the system’s safety continues.

“Due to a severe reduction in service, Metro riders who have the ability to do so should consider alternate travel options and avoid traveling during rush hour if possible,” Metro’s latest announcement stated.

Here are other important facts Metro officials want riders to know during this time period:

• Silver Line Trains will be traveling approximately every 20 minutes between Reston’s Wiehle-Reston East and Maryland’s Largo Town Center East.
• Orange Line trains will run every 20 minutes between Vienna and New Carrollton in Maryland.
• Crowding is expected on all Orange and Silver Line trains.
• Crowding is also expected on Blue Line trains between the Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory stations due to reduced capacity on the Orange and Silver Lines.
• Weekend service may also be impacted due to track work on various lines. Weekend service announcements are posted online.

See Metro’s full announcement online, with more details and a list of alternative travel options for commuters.

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