Metro will reduce the number of station managers at some stops, News4 first reported. This comes as transit agencies prepare for a tough fiscal year with additional cuts if additional funding is not approved.
News4 obtained a letter sent to Metro employees informing them that starting Dec. 31, each of five D.C. stations will lose one station manager after 9 p.m. weekdays. The stations are:
- farragut north
- farragut west
- judicial square
- L’Enfant Plaza
- smithsonian museum
On weekends, each of these stations will have one less stationmaster for the entire day, with the exception of Smithsonian Station.
Metro has confirmed that it will reduce the number of station managers at some stops, and announced it will start a day later on January 1st.
“This change is part of Metro’s efforts to be as efficient as possible in the face of unprecedented budget challenges,” a Metro statement said.
Each of the five stations will have a stationmaster, but not as many as usual. Each station has multiple stationmaster kiosks. Metro announced it will install signs to let passengers know which kiosks at each station are unmanned.
The union representing the majority of Metro employees was unhappy with the news, saying it could put people at risk.
“ATU Local 689 opposes WMATA’s efforts to install unmanned kiosks in subway stations because it puts employees and passengers at risk,” the statement said.
The union said Metro would be in violation of its collective bargaining agreement if it “unilaterally decides to proceed with the plan.”
The union says both Metro and Local 689 must come to an agreement before any changes to the station manager’s job can take place. In this case, the union told News4 there was no agreement reached.
The agency is preparing for a major financial storm next year. Metro has been facing a $750 million budget shortfall in 2024 for months, and if a solution is not found, it will change the transit system as we know it, potentially closing stations early and cutting trains. The government warns that the number of trains running may be significantly reduced. .
People who ride the metro every day had mixed reactions.
“I often see on the news that something has happened, a shooting, etc., but I think if there was less of a presence, that kind of behavior would be tolerated,” said one rider. .
“That doesn’t bother me. I mean, maybe more police presence could solve some of the things going on in the metro,” said another passenger. “That said, I’m not sure how effective having a station master would be, because people would jump over the turnstiles or whatever they were going to do anyway.”
Metro said it selected the five stations based on data showing less use late at night and on weekends.