Metro Delays Start Saturday: What Are Your Options?

VIENNA, VA -- If you're a frequent Metro rider, you'll want to prepare for possible delays on the Orange and Silver lines, which will begin single tracking between East Falls Church and Ballston Saturday, June 4 through Thursday, June 16.

To avoid gridlock, commuters are urged to consider carpooling, vanpooling, taking the bus, biking and teleworking as often as possible during Metro’s ongoing work.

On Thursday, June 2, Fairfax County Department of Transportation's Nick Perfili and Ciara Williams will participate in an online forum to answer your questions about commuter options.

You can submit your question here ahead of time.

Here are some commuter options, information courtesy of Fairfax County:

SafeTrack is a yearlong plan to improve safety and reliability on the Metrorail system. The plan puts safety first by completing more track work and prioritizing the most needed repairs. In addition, 15 planned “Safety Surges” throughout the year will cause segments of rail lines to be shut down or experience continuous single tracking for extended periods.

1. The 15 Safety Surges (listed below on this page) are major track work projects that will lead to continuous single tracking or complete shutdowns of certain line segments. This will severely impact both casual riders and regular commuters on these lines.
2. There will be increased track work on nights, weekends and during some rush hours. Always check wmata.com and sign up for MetroAlerts to “know before you go.”
3. Beginning Friday, and throughout the duration of SafeTrack, Metrorail will close at midnight, 7 days a week. The last train may depart your station before midnight, so check wmata.com/stations for information.

These are major service disruptions that will cause crowding and delays. Although some shuttle bus service will be provided during shutdowns, you should consider alternate travel options during Safety Surges that affect your line.

• Subscribe to MetroAlerts
• Sign-up for Fairfax County Commuter Alerts

Plan Ahead and Know Your Commuting Options

Due to reduced capacity and expected longer travel times, Metrorail riders are encouraged to consider using alternate travel options while safety surge work is scheduled on their line. Trains and platforms are expected to be extremely crowded during peak periods and customers may experience extended delays.

• Ridesharing
  Call or visit Commuter Connections to find potential carpool riders in your neighborhood; use the I-95 and I-495Express Lanes for FREE with 3 people in a car (you’ll need an Express Lanes E-ZPass Flex transponder, though); or start a vanpool with neighbors or colleagues along your commute; visit Commuter Connections for potential riders, use the Express Lanes, and take advantage of SmartBenefits transit benefits to help pay for your commute.
• Park-and-Rides
  Use these public parking areas to park your car and meet a carpool, vanpool, or catch a bus. All Park & Rides in Fairfax County are free except those located at Metrorail stations.
• Guaranteed Ride Home
  Sign up for Commuter Connections’ Guaranteed Ride Home program, which provides an emergency ride home to those who rideshare or take bus or rail transit.
• Fairfax Connector Bus Service
  Find special service to address Metro’s SafeTrack work, plus all regular bus routes throughout Fairfax County and to the Pentagon.Use your SmarTrip card to pay the bus fare. Ride your bike to a bus stop and load it onto the bike rack on the front of the bus to Bike-and-Ride.
• Metrobus
  Find special service to address Metro’s SafeTrack work, plus all regular bus routes throughout the National Capital Region.
• Virginia Railway Express (VRE)
  Try this commuter rail service that operates two rail lines to Union Station from Manassas and Fredericksburg. There are five VRE stations in Fairfax County: Burke Centre, Rolling Road, and Backlick Road on the Manassas Line, and Lorton and Franconia-Springfield on the Fredericksburg Line.
• Commuting by Bike
  Access the Bike Fairfax Interactive Map and use the County’s network of bike paths and trails to reach your destination. You can ride your bike to a bus stop and load it onto the bike rack on the front of the bus to travel throughout the County, or use the bicycle lockers and secure Bike Rooms throughout the County.

Review the links below for more information about each surge project and potential impacts on your commute.

Safety Surge Schedule and Bus Service Information

• During line segment shutdowns, limited Metrobus shuttle bus service will replace trains between the shutdown zones.
  
• During most safety surges, Fairfax Connector will provide supplemental express service on existring routes or on rush-hour shuttles.

PHOTO of Metro from Patch archive