Metro unveils plan for longer waits, more crowded trains but fewer unexpected delays

WASHINGTON (WJLA) - At a meeting Wednesday night, Metro unveiled details of a proposal it says would lead to longer waits and more crowded trains for many riders -- in return for fewer unexpected delays.  

Although many riders would see longer wait times, riders of the Blue Line would see shorter wait times at rush hour.

Metro unveiled the plan at a Riders' Advisory Council meeting at Metro's Northwest Washington headquarters Wednesday night.

An official tells ABC7 that under the proposal riders of the Green, Yellow, Orange, and Silver lines would, on average, have to wait a minute or less longer for a train during rush hour. Meanwhile Blue Line riders would see their average wait time decrease by two minutes.

Riders on all five of those lines would see more crowded trains at rush hour.

Red Line service would not be affected by the proposed plan.

A Metro official said that although Green, Yellow, Orange, and Silver line riders would experience some negative affects, in return they could expect "more reliable" service. The official said, for instance, if a rider's commute takes 35 minutes, that rider would see fewer unexpected delays that would lengthen the commute to 45 minutes.

If Metro's board of directors gives the go-ahead, Metro plans to survey commuters and hold a public hearing about the plan in the next few months. The earliest the board of directors could vote on a final plan would be October.