“We are implementing a number of additional services and deploying additional staff to safely manage crowds, but we are experiencing delays in loading/unloading,” Clark said.
Officials have urged people to take public transport, bike or walk to Tidal Basin and The Mall to see the flowers and the annual Kite Festival. However, congestion and delays on the train network caused complaints from passengers.
“This is quite the mess. I’m starting to wish I could have driven to Washington, DC,” said one rider. murmured.
thanks for the ride @wmata Experience the full bloom 🌸 and the kite festival. More than 30,000 people are now on the Metro!!! Yes, there is more traffic than there is, but the blue 🔵, orange 🟠 and silver ⚪️ lines are experiencing some delays due to congestion. pic.twitter.com/PSiBdqWMot
— Metro Forward (@wmata) March 26, 2023
Roads into downtown Washington were also jammed on Sunday. A National Park Service camera atop the Washington Monument showed cars near a stop along Independence Avenue southwest and his 17th Street northwest.
Clark said Tweet Going to see the flowers by train, by bike, on foot, or in a wheelchair was actually the main way, not the ‘alternative’ – sitting enjoying traffic jams for hours is the alternative.
Metro spokeswoman Sherry Lee said it’s common to switch stations to exit-only during large events. She also said trains were waiting at stations to allow time for passengers to disembark.The agency encouraged passengers to use Enfant Her Plaza and Federal Triangle stations as alternatives. was
The Yellow Line remains closed, leaving Virginia to District passengers with only one option to cross the Potomac River, putting pressure on the Orange, Blue and Silver Lines.
Justin George contributed to this report.
