Metro riders spoke out against the transit system's plan to cut back on weekend and late-night service during a day-long public hearing.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority received feedback Thursday at an open house from noon to 9 p.m. and a public hearing from 12:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Metro's headquarters.
A group of demonstrators stood outside of the headquarters during the hearing with signs reading, "I Need Metro to Work," "Metro Stay Open" and "Don't Cut Metro."
Four new proposals plan to reduce the amount of time trains run and give Metro more time to conduct maintenance and inspections. Each proposal cuts eight hours of operations while also trying to impact the fewest customers as possible.
However, riders who attended the public hearing overwhelmingly said they are against the service changes.
"I think it's disgraceful. It's a disservice. You are supposed to be a public entity serving the public. Contrary to other popular beliefs, everybody does not work nine to five," one man said at the public hearing.
"Although we all know that SafeTrack and the maintenance has to happen, it cannot happen at the expense of the people who need this service the most," said one woman.
Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld told News4 that the operating hours need to change for the safety of riders.
"I think hopefully [riders] have seen that...the reason I'm doing this is for their safety and that doesn't change," Wiedefeld said.
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Proposed New Metrorail Hours of Operation
Proposal #1
- Mon-Thu: 5 a.m. – midnight
- Fri: 5 a.m. – midnight
- Sat: 7 a.m. – midnight
- Sun: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Proposal #2
- Mon-Thu: 5 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Fri: 5 a.m. – midnight
- Sat: 7 a.m. – midnight
- Sun: 7 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Proposal #3
- Mon-Thu: 5 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
- Fri: 5 a.m. – 1 a.m.
- Sat: 7 a.m. – 1 a.m.
- Sun: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Proposal #4
- Mon-Thu: 5 a.m. – midnight
- Fri: 5 a.m. – 3 a.m.
- Sat: 9 a.m. – 3 a.m.
- Sun: Noon – 11 p.m.
Metro is including increased bus service while the rail system is closed during those eight additional hours. They are also looking into encouraging private carriers to provide other options.
Riders can also take an online survey, email comments or talk with staff in person at various Metrorail stations.
All feedback will be provided to the Board of Directors in December as part of the final decision process. It is unknown when any changes to the rail schedule would become effective.
