Metro's Weekend Cluster F**k

That's the only thing you call what Metro has done this weekend a cluster f**k. Here's what it is doing:

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations to allow for installation of new fiber optic cable for improved wireless communications, as well as track maintenance and third rail upgrades.

The following stations will be affected:

Dupont Circle - open for rail service to/from Shady Grove only
Farragut North - closed

Metro Center - open for Blue/Orange line service only (NOTE: The station entrances at 11th & G St NW and 13th & G St NW will be closed. The entrances at 12th & G St NW and 12th & F St NW will remain open.)

Gallery Place - open for Green/Yellow line service only (NOTE: The station entrance at 9th & G St NW will be closed. The entrances at 7th & H St NW and 7th & F St NW will remain open.)
Judiciary Square - closed

Union Station - closed (NOTE: Shuttle buses will depart from First Street NE, outside the Metro station entrance.)

NoMa-Gallaudet U - open for rail service to/from Glenmont only

Red Line trains will operate in two sections:

Between Shady Grove and Dupont Circle stations every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and at regular weekend intervals at other times.

Between Glenmont and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations every 10 minutes between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., and at regular weekend intervals at other times.

Free shuttle bus service will operate on two routes:

Limited stop buses will operate between Dupont Circle, Metro Center, Gallery Place and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations only. Customers using limited stop buses should allow up to 30 minutes of additional travel time.

Local buses will stop at all stations. Customers using local bus service should allow up to 50 minutes of additional travel time.

First off, and I know this is semantics, but this really bugs me, buses do not replace trains. Buses are used instead of trains. Because if buses replaced trains they would be riding on the Metro tracks. Buses would be able to accommodate the same number of people that were on a train. But of course that isn't the case. It takes many buses to do that.

All three days when this is happening, there is a Nationals game. What fun to get to the game if you happen to use the Red Line. More important this started at 10pm on Friday. It means people using the Red Line got to the game just fine but getting back home . . . I have to think most people didn't know this was going to happen.

Speaking for myself I did see the electronic signs say what was going to happen. There were actual signs posted at several Metro stops you can see one below. I don't recall any announcements in the stations or on trains on Friday saying this was going to happen. But then again we're only passengers on the system so why should we be informed about what's going on.

The additional travel time estimates are just silly. Having had to take buses before to get some place, it took almost 20 minutes to get from Rhode Island Ave to Union Station one time. So from say NoMa to Dupont Circle is going to take at least twice that or more.

I understand the system needs to be upgraded but the disruption of service is essentially every single weekend. It's going to be every single weekend far far far into the future.  And to be honest, I see very little improvement in the system.

I do have an idea for a new slogan for the system: Always expect delays.

One of the signs informing people what was going to happen this weekend.