Metro News Release

For immediate release: April 9, 2009

Metrorail system adds trains to fleet

Metrorail system adds trains to fleet

Red and Green Line Metrorail riders will enjoy more comfort as the transit authority is adding 20 rail cars to the fleet on Monday, April 13. As a result, approximately half of Metro’s trains on the Green Line will be eight-cars long instead of six-cars during both the morning and afternoon rush hour. The additional rail cars will help baseball fans get to and from the Nationals home opener on Monday afternoon and throughout the baseball season.

Metro will convert three trains each on the Red and Green lines to eight-car trains long. The remaining cars will be used as a “gap” train that will be available when another train experiences problems to support the summer tourist season during the morning and afternoon rush hour.

With the additional 20 rail cars, Metro will use 850 rail cars during the morning and afternoon rush hours each weekday. It is the first time in the agency’s 33-year history that 850 rail cars will be in service at one time.

“With the additional 20 rail cars entering service on Monday, half of our rail fleet on the Green Line will consist of eight-car trains during the peak period,” said Dave Kubicek, Metro’s Assistant General Manager for Metrorail. “The placement of these rail cars represents a new, higher level of capacity and convenience for our customers.”

The addition of these 20 rail cars to the fleet was made possible due to the recent upgrades of Metro’s 66 traction power substations, for expanded eight-car train service. Metro recently completed delivery of all 184 of its 6000 series rail cars which are now operating throughout the rail system.

###

Media contact for this news release: Steven Taubenkibel and Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.

News release issued at 12:25 pm, April 9, 2009.