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:
- Youth crime is spiking in the Metro system.
- D.C. Department of Public Works booted one of Metro’s vehicles.
- To help riders understand the Blue Line split and the new Silver line to Dulles, Metro’s map is getting a makeover.
- Good luck with that Silver Line, though—new reports say it might not be done until 2017.
- Video obtained by Washington City Paper shows Metro’s statement that a robbery last December only involved two unarmed men isn’t quite true. However, the original claims from an anonymous source on Unsuck D.C. Metro of six gunmen don’t seem quite right either.
- Metro workers get hurt more often on the job than workers at other agencies, including double the amount New York City transit officials are injured.
In Metro Better News, new 8-car trains are coming to help with the Cherry Blossom Festival—and they’re going to stay afterward. There’s also a new move to bring unlimited-use passes to the Metro system.