WASHINGTON — Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is rolling out new display boards at Metro stations across the D.C. region. The new Next Train signs include a figure to show riders how full a train is at the next stop.
"Shown next to the car length, this info is based on previous trends of each train at a particular stop to determine if you get a seat, need to spread out, or wait," Metro said in a tweet Tuesday.
Metro says riders can also check how busy your train is online here.
The new signs aren't functioning at all stations yet, but were a big topic of conversation when a photo was shared on Reddit.
"It’s nice, but what am I supposed to do with the info? I’ll see how full the train is when it rolls into the station," one user wrote.
Others said Metro should prioritize other things like rider safety.
There have been several violent incidents at Metro stations and on trains so far in December.
On Dec. 8, an off-duty FBI special agent shot and killed a 28-year-old man during an alleged altercation on the Metro Center platform at around 6:30 p.m. During the fight, the pair went over a nearby wall, falling eight feet, before police say the agent shot and killed Troy Bullock.
Less than 24 hours later, three people were shot at the Benning Road Metro station. A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in that case.
Then, on Dec. 16, a woman was arrested for stabbing a man multiple times while on board a Red Line train.
Following the violence, Metro's CEO Randy Clarke reassured riders.
"If you look at statistically probability of actually having an incident on Metro is incredibly, incredibly small. We are arguably the safest part of the who region," Clarke said.
