Metro’s plan to hire an inspector general is a very positive step forward in that it will create constant oversight of the operation from the inside out. No longer will decisions be made in reaction to things that happen, such as waiting until a train derails in the West Falls Church yard before fixing the track problem. This “inside/out” approach should raise the confidence level of most riders because problems won’t only come to light when the media reports them. The job of the inspector general is not likely to create a lot of new work. When the search was first announced and it was revealed that this position would really be just taking over the existing office of the auditor at Metro, I wondered if that wouldn’t put too big a burden on existing staff and if the job(s) wouldn’t get done. The thinking of those at Metro I spoke to was and is that the IG work will only come to play a couple times a year.
Let’s not forget that this position is required of the legislation on Capitol Hill and that, without it, Metro doesn’t have the possibility of getting millions of dollars from the feds. Coming so late in the game and after so many problems have already occurred without the call for this position, one has to wonder if the federal dollars are the only reason this is happening. Either way, it’s a good thing and it’s about time.
Why does escalator replacement or rehabilitation take so long?
Speaking of Metro, Val sent this e-mail a few weeks ago: “I am writing about the situation at the Shady Grove Metro station. One of the two platform escalators has been closed for about six months. I cannot understand how rehabilitation or replacement can take so long. Earlier it took months to fix the escalator to the tunnel on the west side of the station. The Shady Grove station platform has only one exit and that is obviously insufficient for a terminal station. There is a crowd after each train arrival even with both escalators working. Has Metro thought of constructing another entrance/exit, on the north end of the platform?”
The response comes from Metro’s Cathy Asato: “The three escalators at Shady Grove are included in a multiyear program to rehabilitate Metro’ oldest and most troublesome escalators. Two are already completed. We are currently working on the third and final escalator at the Shady Grove station. The contractorbegan work on the first unit in March 2005, and it takes roughly 18 weeks to complete each unit. Unlike trains and buses, we cannot take escalators to a garage for repairs. The work must be done on site. We realize this is an inconvenience, but there is no alternative. If it’s any consolation, the work at Shady Grove is on the homestretch. We are scheduled to complete the last unit in early May. We ask for your continued patience as we complete this important work. The result will be safer, more reliable escalators.”
Questions, comments, random musings? Write to [email protected].
