Late-night weekend service in question as Metro board seeks solutions
WASHINGTON (ABC7) — Weighing in one at a time at Metro headquarters, riders spoke out Thursday on proposals to change Metro's operating hours.
"It's disgraceful," one rider exclaimed.
Washington, D.C.'s Ward 7 resident, Gregg Rhett, passionately pleaded with Metro's board members to return late night service.
"When peak service has ended, how will they get home?" Rhett said.
Chauniece Jones, echoed a similar sentiment, tell Metro's board members her job has already been impacted by the reduced hours during Safetrack.
"Please consider the people who do not have any way to get a credit card or debit card to get a Lyft or Uber, consider those people when you make your decisions," Jones added.
Until June, Metro stayed until 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. But until Metro's SafeTrack program next Spring, it will shut down at midnight seven days a week.
Two of the proposals Metro is looking at call for restoring some sort of late night weekend service, while two others do not.
Thursday, some testifying before the board even offered additional alternatives to give Metro more time to do maintenance.
"One, increase the use of early outs and two increase line segment shutdowns."
Speaking to reporters halfway through the 9 1/2 hour public hearing Metro general manager Paul Wiedefeld said he understands the impact this is having on riders.
He says already more than 10,000 people have filled out the online survey and most people seem to like the third option calling for a 1 a.m. closing on weekends.
"I think that's something we could live with," Wiedefeld added.
The board will discuss the comments next month and are expected to make a final decision in December.
