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:

• Crime on the Metro system hit a 5-year high, with serious incidents like rape and less violent “snatch robberies” both posting major increases.
• Part of an escalator in Foggy Bottom collapsed, causing several riders to fall into the pit at the bottom.
• Metro announced it’s cutting service for five Orange Line stations March 4 through March 6, as part of continued rail work.
• The “Metro Masturbator” appeared again, following a woman onto the train from Union Station, apparently hot and bothered on his way to Chinatown.
• Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell continued to dodge questions on why he isn’t doing more to lobby for Metro to keep that $150 million House Republicans want to cut, though he did say he’d like a seat on WMATA’s board.
• High winds caused the top of a Metrobus to fly off.
• Students may find their special passes less than effective at times when Metro feels they should be studying.

In other news, some of Metro’s most notorious electronic gadget thieves, the Swisha Splash Boys, received a pretty thorough profile from TBD’s On Foot blog. In less positive news, it looks like that blog’s not long for this world.