Metro seeks input on new railcar design
Metro is asking the public to pick their favorite design for the exterior of the new 8000-series rail fleet.
Vote online for one of three design options. Voting will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22. The winning concept will be announced the following week.
“The designs are part of a broader branding refresh that includes refined Metro logos and illustrations that reflect our heritage,” Metro states. Riders will also find “a revamped color scheme in a warm palette that embraces modern design principles and pays homage to the standards set by Metro’s founding designers.”
Metro has ordered 256 new 8000-series railcars from Hitachi Rail USA at a cost of $70 million. The pilot car is scheduled to be delivered in June 2027.
The new Metro cars will include these features:
- connected car interiors,
- platform monitoring cameras to assist operators,
- undercar lighting for maintenance and safety response,
- additional handholds and stanchion poles,
- a multipurpose area for strollers, bikes, and large luggage,
- additional door status indicators to enhance passenger awareness,
- increased walkway width for better mobility,
- a new hybrid seating arrangement,
- an upgraded video system for improved surveillance,
- improved visibility inside the train to allow easier monitoring of passengers and potentially deter crime,
- enhanced digital information for passengers on locations, routes, transfers, news, weather, system outages, and station-specific venues and attractions,
- continuous passenger information updates via 5G and wi-fi connections, and
- radiant heated floors.
Related story: Metro to launch credit card fare payments
Not relevant Ellie as no metro passes thru Annandale
There are plenty of residents who use Metro to commute to work or get to DC or the airports. Not relevant to you maybe, but Annandale is part of something bigger.
Nothing about public address system. It’s now word salad. Nothing about training operators to speak slowly and distinctly. Nothing about automated announcements. Nothing about getting rid of the insane door opening door closing crap. Nothing about 3-5 second delay in door opening
Everything you mentioned is all part of the Metro’s charm.
The newest item on this list are the small pexiglass additions to the Metro’s fare terminals, which are easily hurdled by committed fare jumpers.
For the record, while I have seen these intrepid hurdlers in action (though not since Dictator Trump engulfed DC in his evil grip), I have not attempted such a hurdle myself. Yet.
Still practicing.