Get a Grip!

For years, riders have been clamoring for Metro to give them better grips, especially for when trains are standing-room-only during rush periods and when trains stop abruptly, sending anchorless riders hurtling into other passengers.

The agency is listening. Metro is testing different styles of overhead handles in rail cars to give riders standing in the aisles something to improve their balance and comfort. Metro has been operating eight cars with overhead handles made of nylon or vinyl for several weeks. The straps are black, yellow or gray and hang 10 to 12 inches from overhead bars. The black straps are made of nylon mesh; the others, in yellow and two shades of gray, are vinyl. The tests are being done on the Red and Orange lines, Metro's busiest.

Metro wants to see how well the straps hold up and get rider feedback before picking one style to install on at least 100 cars by the end of the year. Metro's has 1,136 rail cars. The agency expects to have all 184 of its newest rail cars outfitted with the stainless steel handles by December.

Vote for your favorite by sending ane-mail to commuter@washpost.com.

PHOTOS: Larry Levine, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, September 7, 2008

This Story Some Congestion Small Price to Pay To Protect Walkers Article \| With main roads so crowded, many residential neighborhoods find their once-quiet streets have become Plan B for commuters. Drivers use them to avoid chokepoints. Get a Grip!		TOOLBOX E-Mail This Save/Share + Digg Facebook Reddit Twitter myspace PHOTOS: Larry Levine, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, September 7, 2008 ¬es=For years, riders have been clamoring for Metro to give them better grips, especially for when trains are standing-room-only during rush periods and when trains stop abruptly, sending anchorless riders hurtling into other passengers. The agency is listening. Metro is testing different styles of overhead handles in rail cars to give riders standing in the aisles something to improve their balance and comfort. Metro has been operating eight cars with overhead handles made of nylon or vinyl for several weeks. The straps are black, yellow or gray and hang 10 to 12 inches from overhead bars. The black straps are made of nylon mesh; the others, in yellow and two shades of gray, are vinyl. The tests are being done on the Red and Orange lines, Metro's busiest. Metro wants to see how well the straps hold up and get rider feedback before picking one style to install on at least 100 cars by the end of the year. Metro's has 1,136 rail cars. The agency expects to have all 184 of its newest rail cars outfitted with the stainless steel handles by December. Vote for your favorite by sending ane-mail to commuter@washpost.com." onclick="if ( typeof otto != 'undefined' ) { }" onmouseover="changebg2('delicious')" onmouseout="resetbg2('delicious')" target="new">del.icio.us PHOTOS: Larry Levine, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, September 7, 2008 \'),\'newstrust\'+(new Date()).getMilliseconds(),\'dependent=no,scrollbars=yes,resizable=yes,alwaysRaised=yes,status=yes,directories=yes,location=yes,menubar=yes,toolbar=yes,width=430,height=750,modal=no\'));ntw.focus();'" onclick="if ( typeof otto != 'undefined' ) { }" onmouseover="changebg2('newstrust')" onmouseout="resetbg2('newstrust')">NewsTrust Stumble It! COMMENT 0 Comments Your browser's settings may be preventing you from commenting on and viewing comments about this item. See instructions for fixing the problem. Discussion Policy CLOSE Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post. Who's Blogging » Links to this graphic
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