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:

–The Washington Post‘s editorial board endorsed Metro’s controversial bag check program as “necessary nuisance.” (TBD isn’t so sure.)

-A fight outside the Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro station ended with a man stabbed in the leg, while another at the Glenmont Metro stop ended with a teen refusing medical treatment for “minor injuries.”

-Metro is considering splitting Blue Line service next year, but isn’t sure how to make sure people don’t get on the wrong train.

-Escalators at Dupont Circle are about to undergo a “year-long rehab.”

-50 transit employees protested their contract with Metro Thursday, due to “management’s unwillingness to follow binding arbitration.”

-Metro’s General Manager Richard Sarles said it will take years for Metro to reverse the decline in its bus and rail networks.

In better news, Capital Bikeshare announced the winners of its “Winter Weather Warriors” competition. Clearly we all should have ridden a bike instead of waiting for a train or bus. Though bikes certainly have their own issues.