The Metro system, once a reliable point of pride for D.C.’s boosters, has had a rough few years: Safety problems, escalator outages, and rising prices have made the subway a regular subject of local griping. At times, it can be hard to keep up with the torrent of unflattering Metro-related scoops. As a public service,Washington City Paper is offering beleaguered riders this irregular round-up of recent media lowlights:
- A man collapsed in the Smithsonian Metro station Tuesday, and no one stopped to help him. By the time someone checked, he had died.
- MetroAccess drivers have been paying out-of-pocket for riders who need the service, but can’t afford it.
- Facing a $72 million funding gap, Metro’s considering cutting services.
- Fairfax officials approved names for the stations on the long-fabled Silver Line. Unfortunately, the names aren’t very exciting.
- Metro Transit Police say they’re “overwhelmed” and short-staffed—though they also say Wednesdays go pretty well.
- A former Metro employee says a lot of the system’s problems are due to an overly strict chain-of-command.
- Bar owners aren’t thrilled about continued speculation that Metro’s going to close at midnight on the weekend.
- WMATA apparently can’t spell “Metropolitan.” Or “expedite,” for that matter.
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