Why are Metro trains briefly going "out of service" at the end of the line?

Submitted by perkinwarbeck t3_y2co9v in washingtondc

Lately I've noticed the drivers at the end of the line (this has happened to me at Glenmont and Greenbelt) briefly take the train "out of service" at the end of the line before going back in service and allowing people to board. As near as I can tell this is a new practice. Have they given a reason for this practice anywhere? It's not a big deal, but a few times it's not been clear when the train has gone back into service, prompting the driver to yell at everyone to get off, before finally putting the train back in service about 30 seconds later.

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Macrophage87 t1_is258wp wrote

In most cases, they do so to inspect and clean the metro. They have teams to identify and clear out major trash and 'fluids'. Also, to note anything suspicious. I accidently boarded one when it went out of service and that's what they told me was why they did it.

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perkinwarbeck OP t1_is26wya wrote

It isn't long enough for them to do any kind of inspection or cleaning. It's really only 30 seconds to a minute.

Maybe the driver inspects each car via camera from the driver's seat and then puts it back in service? Then if the driver saw something, they could clean it before putting it back in service.

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HauntingHarmonie t1_is29nrx wrote

They definitely do inspections at Shady Grove. There's a whole host of metro workers that walk through the cars before it goes back into service.

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MysticsWonTheFinals t1_is2jewj wrote

Maybe you caught them when they were running ahead of schedule and had to delay for a minute

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[deleted] t1_is30ipg wrote

[deleted]

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perkinwarbeck OP t1_is3catk wrote

That makes sense, it is about long enough to walk the length of the train. I’m pretty sure they used to do it while leaving the train in service though.

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sprint113 t1_is45ocd wrote

Taking a guess here. Maybe in the past, when metro had more staff, the turnaround would also be the point where the train operator changes, giving the incoming one a break. With two operators, you could effectively minimize the time the train sits out of service as control changes from one end to the other.

But now with the staffing shortage, you're more likely to see the same operator operate the same train on the way back, meaning there's a more noticeable amount of time the train is "out of service" while the operator traverses the length of the train.

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KombuchaLady3 t1_is33h06 wrote

If it's the last train of the night, the operator is checking for anyone who fell asleep. You do not want to wake up while they take the train to where ever it goes at closing.

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messmaker523 t1_is310us wrote

They are human and have to pee. Probably in a bottle

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Neversoft4long t1_is4cyut wrote

Inspections. Usually like 4-5 workers go in and just sweep up the noticeable stuff and make sure there’s no wild shit

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