Don’t you hate it when you run onto a Metro platform only to watch the back end of your train heading into the dark abyss of a tunnel and out of sight. It can be a frustrating experience, especially if you are in a hurry, running late or just really want to get home.
But now Metro is making it easier for you to find out when the next train arrives so you can plan your trip. Riders can call a train arrival number that will detail each train that will arrive at a chosen station within the next 20 minutes.
Here’s how it works:
- Call (202) 637-7000.
- When prompted say “Next Train.”
- You’ll then be asked to say a station name or enter the first four letters of a station name.
- The system will then give a recording of all the trains arriving at the station you entered in the next 20 minutes.
- For stations that serve more than two lines, you’ll be prompted to say or enter the color of the line you wish to travel on.
“Up-to-the minute information is key to the convenience of transit; the easier it is to know when your train is coming, the easier it is to manage your schedule,” said Metro Board Member Chris Zimmerman.
The issue is that it takes a little more than just a minute to get the information you want. Metro released a riveting PSA that demonstrates how the system works and lets just say it also demonstrates how much patience you may need to use the system. You can check it out here.
So by the time you enter the station information, listen through every train for the next 20 minutes, and potentially every train on every line at the station, you probably just missed your train. And of course no there are no promises that the escalator will be working when you get there.
