Metro riders surprised at number of problems uncovered by inspection

Metro reopened at 5:00 on Thursday with full service in the six railway lines after an emergency stop of a day for the whole system because of security concerns.

Pilots were eager to get on the subway, and although the occasion expressed frustration that had closed all day, they were happy that Metro seemed to be serious about addressing security.

Lisa Vojta was in the bus station waiting for a train Braddock yellow line Thursday morning. She said she was mostly underground forgiveness problems and recognized that security is not guaranteed in transport, including travel by car or plane.

"I think it's pretty safe? No, but things are going to happen," Vojta, 42, who works for the federal government said. Although she was not very happy with the ruling that recognized the need. On Wednesday, he worked in Alexandria district instead.

"It was embarrassing, to say the least, but if it comes to security, what will you do?" He said.

Metro closed on a Wednesday full day unparalleled service for emergency inspections, arising from information learned in an electrical fire in a tunnel Monday morning. Officials discovered the fire, which has paralyzed service on three lines involved and the same type of power cables based on tracks that were burned during the fatal accident smoke yellow line January 2015 near L'Enfant Plaza. A pilot was killed in the incident and dozens more were injured.

Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld ordered closed system so that crews can inspect 600 identical cables to those involved in fire Monday. He said the teams have identified 26 areas where electrical wires - or boots that connect to third rails - is damaged or worn. Problems near McPherson Square, and stations Foggy Bottom Potomac Avenue - sections with heavy traffic in the district center - were so severe that if the authorities had discovered during routine inspections, said they would immediately stop service in them.

The ruling was a step to help restore confidence in the system for drivers like Kurt Metcalf.

"He is aging, so it is better to be bothered by one day, and then run the risk of another disaster," Metcalf, 49, said while waiting at the bus station Thursday morning Braddock.

This does not mean that he was glad the price you paid $ 34 Lyft Wednesday a car to go to work in the Army Corps of Engineers District.

David Schumacher, 50, said he spent $ 200 on a hotel room to do it in his office in Rockville. Usually, when he left his home in Stafford, Va., For a slug line, where it gets a turn to the Pentagon metro station and take the metro in Rockville.

He said it was unacceptable to Metro "to combat an entire city" and said he was concerned about the news of the magnitude of the problems of cables, since it depends on the system.

"I drive this thing every day," he said. "My job depends on this race. No matter what job you have, and people will use it daily".

The decision, he said, not only speaks ill of Metro, but the region itself.

"Probably the most important city in the free world and we are without subway or metro system."

Michael Kaiser, 38, in northeast Washington, said his typical 20 minute subway ride took two hours by bus Wednesday because the buses were full. However, he said he was not crazy, given the severity of security problems found. "Better to have people traveling irritating to have people die," he said.

The decision, once again drew attention to the many problems of Metro, including security, reliable funding, financial mismanagement and lack of maintenance.

The chairman subway, Jack Evans, who is also a board member of DC (D-Ward 2), according to the transit agency has made the right decision to close during inspections and repairs. This was the first time since 1976 that the subway was closed for other than a hurricane or snowstorm.

Catherine Rogers, 36, leading to the metro station of the waterfront to work in Bethesda, accused many of the problems of the railway network in the lack of adequate public funding.

"If we want a good metro, we pay for it," he said.

Union Station on Thursday morning, the pilots said the jumper wires frayed image is displayed at a press conference on Wednesday meter has left some to question them the security of the entire system.

"My disgust was fed," said Lauren Beieler, 33, who was transport in Dunn Loring, where she works as a nurse. And he said he was confused by the time of closing.