Just a couple of hours ago, the premier transit agency in the nation’s capitol (WMATA) suffered a serious service outage on one of the heavily traveled train lines (Green Line). The abrupt disruptions have left many commuters stranded without a way out of the Navy Yard (and Anacostia) area, a major hub for riders employed at many of the facilities, including the US Department of Transportation, situated in the vicinity. Though it was an unexpected situation, #WMATA was a bit slow to respond and got customers ticked (to put it lightly). And the customers have already taken to using social media sharing pics. and tweets from the scene. To WMATA’s credit, the communications team at the agency was trying its best to deal with the situation, which is a bit more heartening than how they did in similar situations in the past. Here is a sample of what’s happening on Twitter as we speak :
A sample of what’s happening at Twitter hashtag #WMATA
Looks like it is going to be a long night for all involved, esp. for the communications team at WMATA. Hope they learn sooner than later to deal with/cool down their customers before they all start flocking to their personal automobiles to get around the town.
[<a href=”//storify.com/transportgooru/the-mess-called-wmata” target=”_blank”>View the story “The Mess Called #WMATA” on Storify</a>]<br />
<h1>The Mess Called #WMATA</h1>
<h2>A compilation of riders’ reactions from around the web on WMATA’s latest meltdown on the Green Line. And boy, it is ugly out there and getting worse! At this rate, WMATA will never recover its public image, and will continue to add polish to its terrible reputation.</h2>
<p>Storified by <a href=”http://storify.com/transportgooru”>Andy Palanisamy</a>· Wed, Jan 30 2013 16:57:28</p>
<div>Reminder: Avoid the Green Line if at all psosible. Service suspended, MAJOR DELAYS/CROWDING: http://wapo.st/XT4ODh. #wmatadrgridlock</div>
<div>@nbcwashington and.. You’ll praise the wonderful job #wmata is doing? Bullshit! #metrobackwardSteven</div>
<div>“@wmata: Green Line service temporarily suspended Navy Yard-Southern Ave. Shuttle buses en route. #wmata http://pic.twitter.com/poPX5wVmSabrina Sussman</div>
<div>RT @MetroDerp: Hey Stessel: "self-evacuate" shouldn’t have to be a phrase used by anyone, ever. You incompetent motherfucker. #wmataSteven</div>
<div>@wmata There are NO shuttles. Overcrowded platform. Metro trains packed like sardines. Clueless metro workers. Help! http://pic.twitter.com/Uk902I53Irène |eRĒN </div>
<div>There’s going to come a point tonight when I’ll realize I should have just walked the 60 miles to my house. @wmata #wmataThe Froats</div>
<div>RT @BrettDJacks: Stuck on #wmata under Anacostia river with no elec/AC on car or 2 hours. So hot it was raining condensation and people having seizuresGee</div>
<div>I’m very sorry, fire trucks and ambulances who want our bus to move out of the way, but the bus driver ran away. Can’t make this up #wmataThe Froats</div>
<div>Middle of rush hour chaos and confusion. Still no updates. @wmata http://pic.twitter.com/o3utacofMalikah</div>
<div>RT @BrettDJacks: Stuck on #wmata under Anacostia river with no elec/AC on car or 2 hours. So hot it was raining condensation and people having seizuresClinton Yates</div>
<div>RT @RT_Thomson: Green line back. http://m.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2013/01/30/green-line-delays/?hpid=z1 #wmataDowntownDC</div>
<div>Green Line service restored after major crowding and delays, with issues including riders trapped underground: http://wapo.st/XT4ODh. #wmatadrgridlock</div>
<div>@wmata where is your contigency plan, I watched small children, women with babies and pregnant women get damn near trampled. Unacceptable.Monique 2.0</div>
<div>Photo from a #wmata #GreenLine rider: "Almost 2 hours and I’m still not home." http://pix.myfoxdc.com/Media/View/3037001Katherine DuPre</div>
<div>Find Ted-o! RT“@SadieDing: Total insanity at Navy Yard #wmata http://pic.twitter.com/s29nnqBX”The Froats</div>
<div>RT @dcmetrosucks: #WMATA Dan Stessel just confirmed on NBC news that Green Line customers took it upon themselves & self-evacuated from disabled trainSaraswati Moline</div>
<div>“@Crislex: Why isnt @wmata tweeting about whats going on!?”<~ i think they’d say… "Ain’t nobody got time for that!" Jeff Kirkman III</div>
<div>140 characters doesn’t EVEN begin to describe this hell of an experience with. @wmata!!!!!!STRAWBERRY KISSES</div>
<div>RT @unsuckdcmetro: Doesn’t Metro self evacuate on a near daily basis all over DC? #wmataTerry C</div>
<div>.@wmata buses aren’t effective when you’re stuck underground for 90 minutes and are then shuttled back to a stop that’s not your usual one.Amin Vafa</div>
<div>This royal @wmata fuck up is how riots start.S Hughes</div>
<div>But the again FUCK METRO @wmataCrissylex</div>
<div>FINALLY off the train. Stuck in a tunnel for over an hr w/o air & no answers. @wmata is THE WORST. I want my money back!!!Monique Pratt</div>
<div>@wmata What is normal service?Lindsay Larner</div>
<div>@wmata you have a lot of angry folks out here!!!!Reggie</div>
<div>2.5 hours later I’m home. Took a cab from 1st and M SW. You’d think after years of malfunctions #wmata would have contingency plans. Alas.Amin Vafa</div>
<div>You mean self ejaculate? RT @unsuckdcmetro Doesn’t Metro self evacuate on a near daily basis all over DC? #wmataPeter Haack</div>
<div>Fun fact: The turnover for the @wmata Twitter person is about two people per day. Most become clinically depressed; quit Twitter. #WMATAPhil</div>