WASHINGTON — Anyone riding Metro may notice people getting on and off faster than usual starting Monday.
The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission has given Metro permission to fully operate in auto door mode starting July 8, after weeks of training operators to use the new doors on the Blue, Orange, Silver, Yellow and Green lines. The transit system previously launched auto doors on the Red Line last December.
Officials say in all, 10 seconds will be saved at each Metro stop using the new doors.
“Auto Doors on the Red Line has been very successful with more than 1.3 million safe door openings since launching last year,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke. “With Auto Doors, we’ve achieved better schedule consistency and now we’re excited to bring this safety and convenience improvement to all our customers.”
While train doors will open automatically, officials say operators will still close train doors manually when leaving a station to help riders get on and off safely.
Auto doors are controlled by technology already onboard trains that ensures trains are safely stopped at the platform before the doors open.
Upgrading and restoring the technology for auto doors will enable Metro to safely automate 20,000 daily door openings systemwide.
READ NEXT:
WATCH NEXT:
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.