Metrobus Returning To Regular Weekday Service In Early February

WASHINGTON, DC — Metrobus will bring back regular weekday service starting Feb. 7 as the agency recovers from COVID-19 staffing shortages.

The wave of omicron variant infections have caused staffing shortages in various industries, including transit. Due to staffing shortages, Metro has been operating on a modified Saturday schedule with about 75 percent of weekday service since Jan. 10.

While shortages continue to be above normal for Metro, case rates are starting to decline and employees are returning to work after quarantine or isolation. As Metro determines exact staffing levels at each bus division, trips may be adjusted based on employee availability. When possible, Metro plans to deploy additional buses to boost capacity on busier bus lines.

"I want to thank our customers for their patience as we took swift action to protect the health and safety of riders and employees in the face of the unprecedented covid surge, which has impacted about 10 percent of our workforce since the holidays," said Metro CEO and General Manager Paul Wiedefeld in a statement.

A statement from the union representing over 8,000 Metro workers indicated a readiness to return to full Metrobus service.

"Our members are eager to resume full bus service to our communities," said ATU L689 President Ray Jackson in a statement via Metro. "We will continue to do all that we can to protect workers, our families, and our passengers through this pandemic, while keeping the region moving."

As staffing shortages affected Metrobus service, riders have been faced with reduced Metrorail service due to the ongoing investigation into the Oct. 12 train derailment and 7000-series trains. All 7000-series trains continue to be out of service. Red Line trains run every 12 minutes, Green and Yellow Line trains run every 20 minutes, and Blue, Orange and Silver Line trains run every 24 minutes.

Riders can find the latest updates through MetroAlerts texts and emails or Metro's Status and Alerts page.

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• Metro To Stop Return Of Troubled 7000-Series Railcars For 90 Days