Metro Transit Police Crime Statistics and Covid-19

Metro and Covid-19: Steps we’ve taken

More Covid-19 information: Metrorail & Metrobus service | Public Information | Steps we’ve taken

Updated 4/14/20
Customers should wear cloth face coverings on Metro

Your safety and well-being, and the safety and well-being of our frontline employees, is our top priority. With that in mind, Metro is requesting that all customers follow recently updated CDC guidance by wearing a cloth face covering while traveling on Metro. Specifically, the use of cloth face coverings is strongly encouraged aboard all buses, trains, and MetroAccess vehicles, as well as in rail stations, bus terminals and other transit facilities.

Updated 4/6/20
Metro announces changes to public hearings for the Grosvenor garage expansion and New Carrollton Development projects due to restrictions during COVID-19 emergency

Metro today announced alternate plans to allow testimony during two upcoming public hearings in order to comply with stay-at-home orders that prohibit public gatherings in Maryland, Virginia and the District and to protect employees and the public during the COVID-19 health emergency. In lieu of in-person testimony, speakers may provide their input by phone regarding the proposed changes to the Grosvenor-Strathmore garage expansion and New Carrollton Development projects.

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Updated 4/3/20

Weekend: Metro to again run limited bus, rail service for essential travel only

As it has the past two weekends, Metro will operate significantly reduced rail and bus service on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5, maintaining a core network of 27 “lifeline” bus routes and providing twice-hourly rail service on all lines for the region’s essential travel need.

STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS IN EFFECT: Anyone using Metro should travel only if absolutely necessary for essential purposes as stipulated under stay-at-home Executive Orders in effect throughout the Metro service area. Essential travel includes first responders, hospital staff, critical government employees, grocery and pharmacy workers, and others who must work during the public health emergency. Unless traveling for an essential purpose, you are urged to stay at home.

Updated 3/29/20

Week ahead: Sharply reduced Metro service for essential travel only; trains, buses will operate on same schedule as last week

For the upcoming week (Monday-Friday), Metro will use the same service plan as last week, which provides connectivity throughout the region for essential trips, but with sharply reduced train and bus frequencies. Metrorail ridership is now less than a tenth of its normal level, and bus ridership has been reduced by up to 75 percent.

Metro continues to urge the public to travel if absolutely necessary during the COVID-19 public health emergency to ensure that limited transit capacity is available for those who need it most and to allow for safe social distancing.

Updated 3/29/20

Metro implements additional protection for frontline employees: Will close first and last cars of all trains starting tomorrow

As frontline transit employees work to keep trains and buses running for essential trips, additional protections are being implemented to keep Metro’s workforce safe during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Starting tomorrow, Monday, March 30, Metrorail customers will no longer be able to board the front or rear cars of the train to create an additional buffer between the train operator’s compartment and the general public.

Updated 3/29/20

Metro GM, pandemic task force, and union leader host online employee town hall; thank them for ‘making the essential possible’

Metro invited its 12,000 employees – including thousands of frontline transit workers, police officers, and other mission-critical personnel – to have their COVID-19 questions and concerns addressed at an online town hall this afternoon on Facebook Live. The event offered an opportunity for Metro employees to get answers from the General Manager and subject matter experts on Metro’s Pandemic Task Force, including Chief Safety Officer Theresa Impastato, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amy Espy-Smith, and Chief Operating Officer Joe Leader.

Updated 03/26/20

Weekend: Metro service limited to 26 bus routes, reduced rail service; expect wait times of 30 minutes; customers urged to travel only if essential

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency, Metro will operate significantly reduced rail and bus service this weekend, maintaining a core network of 26 “lifeline” bus routes and providing twice-hourly rail service for our region’s essential travel needs. Essential travel includes medical providers and hospital staff, first responders, critical government functions, individuals involved in helping the community respond to COVID-19, grocery and pharmacy trips, among others.

Updated 03/24/20

Metro to close additional 17 stations and selected entrances amid low-ridership, need to conserve critical cleaning supplies during COVID-19 response

En español

Metro’s Pandemic Task Force today announced the PDF Icon strategic closing of 17 additional stations, effective Thursday, March 26, 2020, in an effort to conserve critical resources and protect the health and safety of Metro employees and the public. This follows drastic measures already taken to reduce travel on Metro to essential trips only, leading to a Metrorail ridership decline of 90 percent.

Updated 03/23/20

Metro has developed an online dashboard for that will serve as a clearinghouse of information regarding confirmed employee cases.

Available at wmata.com/covidstats, the new COVID-19 Public Information page provides at-a-glance information regarding the number of cases, basic health status (hospitalized vs at home), general information about the location and job function of the employee, and releasable information regarding close contacts.

Updated 03/23/20

Metrobus implements rear-door boarding systemwide, starting Tuesday

While emphasizing that bus service is limited to essential trips only, Metro is taking additional action to enhance the safety of its frontline workforce by implementing rear-door boarding across the Metrobus system, effective Tuesday, March 24. Several other U.S. transit systems have already implemented rear-door boarding in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Updated 03/22/20

WEEKDAY SCHEDULE ANNOUNCEMENT: Limited service for essential trips only; public urged to stay home; use Metro only if no other options available

Metro today announced expected rail and bus service levels for the week of Monday, March 23, through Friday, March 27. Transit service remains significantly scaled back to protect the health and safety of Metro employees, customers and the public as the COVID-19 outbreak continues to disrupt all aspects of life in the region.

Updated 03/21/20

Metrobus weekend service reduced to only 20 routes starting at 5 p.m. Saturday and all day Sunday

Metro is operating an emergency schedule to maintain service on these critical routes. Please be advised that digital signs, websites, apps, and timetables will NOT reflect accurate information about bus schedules this weekend.

Updated 03/20/20

Metro makes additional reductions this weekend due to workforce availability challenges; trains every 30 minutes, supplemental bus trips cancelled

Due to workforce availability challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak, Metro is making additional adjustments to this weekend’s service, Saturday, March 21, and Sunday, March 22, 2020.

Updated 03/19/20

Metro to close Smithsonian, Arlington Cemetery Stations to prevent Cherry Blossom travel

Metro today announced the closures of Smithsonian and Arlington Cemetery stations, effective 5 p.m. today (Thursday, March 19), to discourage the use of Metrorail for recreational visits to view the Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin. Metro is open for ESSENTIAL TRIPS ONLY to maintain regional mobility for hospital staff, government officials, and emergency responders. The two stations will remain closed until further notice.

Updated 03/17/20

En Español

Rail system will close at 11PM daily until further notice… Buses may bypass stops if vehicle is too full…. Public urged to use Metro for essential trips only… Do not visit Cherry Blossoms

Metro’s Pandemic Task Force today announced major service reductions during the ongoing pandemic response. The changes further draw-down service to protect frontline employees, while maintaining regional mobility for essential trips taken by hospital staff, government officials, and emergency responders. The reduction takes into account the urgent public guidance from regional leaders, along with emergency orders to cancel events, close schools and offices, and limit social gatherings across the nation.

Updated 03/13/20

Metro announces additional COVID-19 changes, including reduced service beginning Monday

Metro and its Pandemic Task Force continue to work around the clock to support the region and slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Today, Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld directed his team to implement several new measures to strike an appropriate balance for Metro’s workforce and their families, our customers, and the region as a whole.

Updated 03/12/20

Theresa Impastato’s second briefing to the WMATA Board of Directors on COVID-19

Updated 03/08/20

Important update regarding MetroAccess service

Metro was advised by health officials that a person with COVID-19 traveled recently to an event at a facility in Rockville, MD. While there is no evidence that anyone who has been exposed to the virus traveled to that event by MetroAccess (or via other public transit), the facility is routinely serviced by MetroAccess. Out of an abundance of caution, extra cleaning of MetroAccess vehicles has been performed and daily cleanings will continue. We wil provide updates for our employees and customers as additional information becomes available.

As of March 6, 2020, Metro is operating at Phase 2 of its Pandemic Flu Plan (PFP)

In light of the confirmation of three cases of COVID-19 in Maryland. Phase 2 continues to ensure that Metro is able to respond effectively in the event of a regional outbreak of the disease through community transmission.

At this time, there is no evidence of person-to-person (community) transmission in our area. The steps Metro is taking are with the goal of ensuring that we are able to respond quickly and effectively in the event the situation changes.

The most effective way to prevent the spread of disease are things you do yourself. We strongly encourage everyone to follow these recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
If you’re experiencing symptoms and have traveled to areas of concern (or have been in contact with someone who has), call ahead to your health-care provider before you go in in person. Arrange for special transportation to and from your medical appointment. Do not use public transportation.

Metro activated its Pandemic Flu Plan (PFP) on January 29, based on early reports of a novel (new) coronavirus that had the potential to reach pandemic status. The plan has four phases, with the initial phase (phase one) focused on monitoring and preparedness and the current phase (phase two) putting Metro on a readiness footing to respond quickly in the event of an outbreak in our region. We are following the PFP’s guidance to ensure that Metro is prepared, including activation of Pandemic Task Force, an agency-wide team of senior-level officials from key departments at Metro.

Chaired by Metro’s Chief Safety Officer and supported by our in-house medical staff, the task force meets regularly to manage Metro’s response to COVID-19 and quickly take any action necessary. To date, Metro has taken the following steps:

Set up direct lines of communication with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), local and state public health authorities, and other transit systems.
Increased Metro’s on-hand warehouse inventory of essential supplies, such as hospital-grade disinfectant, wipes, face masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, and other items used by Metro’s front-line employees.
Established daily absenteeism monitoring across our workforce to quickly detect any significant change in employees illness patterns.
Reviewed cleaning protocols and modifications where deemed effective and appropriate, based on medical guidance.
Initiated regular communication with our workforce to keep employees informed about the disease, our response, and guidance to prevent the spread of illness.
Suspended all non-essential business travel for Metro employees.
Provided briefings to employees and key stakeholders, as well as a public briefing on Thursday, February 27, 2020.

Metro will continue to monitor COVID-19-related developments and take appropriate action in consultation with public health authorities.

Monthly-Crime-Report-March-2020 Crime-by-Jurisdiction-July-Dec-2019_1

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Metro Transit Police Crime Statistics and Covid-19

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