COLLEGE PARK, Maryland — Orange and Silver Metro Lines were delayed significantly on Wednesday, making riders late to work and putting #WMATA on Twitter’s trending topics list.
According to the official information Twitter feed of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)– @Metrorailinfo — a New Carrollton-bound Orange Line train was offloaded at Ballston-MU due to a brake malfunction around 7:15 a.m., causing both the Orange and Silver Lines to single-track between East Falls Church and Ballston-MU. Services were eventually suspended around 7:40 a.m.
WMATA suggested that riders make the 20-minute walk from Ballston-MU to the Clarendon station to get back on a functioning train.
This delay follows the launch of WMATA’s “Back2Good” campaign that promises riders more accountability, reliability, and progress in 2018. In February, it seemed like WMATA’s efforts were having a positive impact.
Our latest #back2good update shows the best railcar performance in 8 years, crime at the lowest level since 2005, 90% of all rush hour trips on Metrorail have arrived on-time since Rush Hour Promise started and 36 underground stations now have free wifi. #wmata pic.twitter.com/IPlhoBlo8T
— Metro (@wmata) February 20, 2018
Metro touting some high profile numbers here. Do you feel like the system is getting better? #wmata https://t.co/TAdYyiCVBj
— Adam Tuss (@AdamTuss) February 20, 2018
Congratulations @wmata on #back2good progress https://t.co/Kcy42slVjK
— Keiko (@Keiko_Ward4) February 21, 2018
But some riders feel that the Back2Good campaign hasn’t lived up to expectations. Today’s setback prompted riders to voice their frustrations on Twitter.
Apparently a “disabled train” has completely wiped out service between East Falls and Clarendon. At what point is #wmata going to make actual improvements to its terrible service? @unsuckdcmetro
— John Cooper (@thejcoop) February 28, 2018
“Back 2 Good” #MeaninglessSlogans #wmata https://t.co/PotvJhiSNB
— Josiah Springer (@JosiahSpringer1) February 28, 2018
Oh, #wmata, it’s official: “#Back2Good ” is dead, res. spots empty, shuttle buses a norm, Vienna cattle car (Ballston derailment). #Bye2u pic.twitter.com/DGUaBNBE9c
— Lisa Bushey (@LisaBushey) February 28, 2018
As a part of the Back2Good effort, Metro instituted the Rush Hour Promise, which credits customers’ accounts the cost of any ride that takes 15 minutes longer than expected. After today’s snafu, it’s likely that many riders will see a reimbursement via the new Rush Hour Promise program.
To learn more about WMATA’s Back2Good commitment, watch their promotional video.