Better design and information on trains are crucial elements in building and maintaining rider satisfaction.
At 7:12 on this rainy morning, the first 7000 series trains rolled into service on Washington D.C.’s Metro subway.
Meant to replace the 280 remaining trains in the 1000 series that were delivered in 1976, the new trains are light-years ahead of their predecessors. Besides the various safety features that improve upon the 1000 series flaws (that have, on occasion, been fatal), the 7000 series features LED displays, clear and automated announcements, vinyl seats embossed with Metro’s logo, aisles that are two inches wider, floors without carpet, and dynamic destination signs with station information.
The new dynamic signs tell travelers what amenities a station has, including bikeshare, bike racks and lockers, daily and short-term automobile parking, car-sharing availability, additional transit connections, and which side of the train the doors will open.
The padded vinyl seats feature Metro branding and space beneath for luggage.
The new cars, also in operation in New York City and Boston, are manufactured by Kawasaki and are assembled in Lincoln, Nebraska. Eight cars entered service today while 24 await roll out gradually through June at Metro’s Hyattsville, Maryland training and maintenance facility. Today’s first train will remain only on the Blue line for a few days as a peace offering to commuters who may feel short-changed by the recent reduction in service to accommodate the new Silver line. The 7000 series cars must run in an eight-car formation, so they will not run on the Silver line until the additional capacity is required.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has 528 cars on order currently and board approval for an additional 220 – but funding is currently short to get them on the tracks. Delivery of the entire fleet is expected to be completed by 2020. The cars take approximately three months to build, but once assembly reaches full speed, 16 cars will roll off the line each month. The 528 cars come with a $1.46 billion price tag, paid through the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act.
The author rides the first 7000 train on the tracks
The first sixty-four 7000-series trains will be used to meet the additional demand created by the Silver Line. Once those needs have been met, the new trains will be used to replace the 1000 series trains from the 1970s. Those cars, manufactured by Rohr, show plenty of wear and tear and are being replaced due to safety concerns raised following accidents in 2004 and 2009. The new cars will also be used to retire the 4000 series that has been plagued with maintenance issues. Aside from bringing peace of mind to passengers, the new trains are particularly attractive to choice riders – those who take Metro even though they could choose to drive or take some other mode.
Rider experience is often the final factor in commuters making the switch from driving alone to taking transit. For a new rider, signs that scroll through stations and note how many stops are between you and your destination take the uncertainty and confusion out of a new commute. Further, knowing the amenities and options at a station can lure a regular commuter out of a routine into trying something different.
Additional space combined with the ability to store luggage alleviates the current cramped conditions, while space-age trains with cutting-edge technology also doesn’t hurt in generating excitement from sometimes grumpy and jaded riders.
Photos by Ashley Robbins