Metro: No Decisions On Service Changes For Sandy; Amtrak Cancels Some Trains
WASHINGTON (AP/WJZ) -- The D.C.-area transit system says most of its preparations for Hurricane Sandy are complete, but it's still unclear how or whether the storm will impact service.
Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said Saturday that no decisions have been made yet about changing or curtailing bus or rail service.
He says that decision will be influenced in part by what the federal government does since so many of the transit system's customers are federal workers.
Commuters are encouraged to sign up for email and text alerts to learn about changes to their routes.
While rain doesn't generally impact service, high sustained winds can lead to speed limits on overhead rails and can also blow debris onto the tracks.
The Metro system serves more than 1.1 million weekday rail and bus passengers.
Amtrak has canceled some train service due to the impending storm. For Sunday, the following trains have been canceled:
Between Richmond and Newport News, Va.: Northeast Regional Train 99
Between Chicago and Washington D.C.: Capitol Limited Train 30
Between Miami and New York: Silver Star Train 92
Between Washington, D.C. and New York: Silver Meteor Train 98 and Crescent Train 20
The Capitol Limited Train 29 between Washington, D.C. and Chicago has been canceled for Monday.
Amtrak said it would contact passengers to inform them of changes in service, but also encourages customers to check for their train status online by clicking here. The train service said it would refund or give a travel voucher for future use for customers who have paid for tickets but choose not to travel at this time.
Amtrak said more cancellations could be on the way in the next few days as Hurricane Sandy makes its way up the East Coast.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
