When a lightbulb goes out on the Metro system, it takes an average of three months to get that single bulbreplaced, officials say. And with a majority of Metro station lights along the dusty track bed, it can be nearly a year before those lights are cleaned.
“One of the most common complaints I hear from customers is that the stations are too dim and that there are an awful lot of lightbulbs out,” said Dan Tangherlini, Metro’s interim general manager. “It gives people the impression that we aren’t paying as close attention to the facilities as we should be.”
Metro is expected to unveil a sweeping $690,000 lighting initiative today that officials hope will change that impression.
Lightbulbs now will be replaced within 10 days, lighting systems will be cleaned every 10 months and the wattage of lights along the platforms will be increased, officials said. The $390,000 short-term effort will then be followed by a second, $300,000 phase that includes an in-depth study of the overall lighting system.
Though it’s nice for passengers to be able to read while waiting for trains, officials say, the lighting also will help train operators see passengers boarding and disembarking, deter crime by eliminating dark corners, and enhance images captured on Metro’s security camera system.
So how many Metro employees does it take to change the lightbulbs? Metro has a team of 18 employees known as “relampers” who help maintain the system’s 269,000 bulbs — including 73,836 in rail stations and 11,194 inside rail tunnels.
At a glance
» Metro wants to double the total output of light at train stations.
» LED edge lights, which would blink when trains approach, cost $108 each and can last up to five years.
» Metro spends $11 million annually on electricity for lighting.
» Other lamplights cost anywhere from 19 cents to $185, officials said.
