Retro Metro -- Wed. Nov. 2, 1983 -- Red Line

[coneyraven]

GILCRRIST CHARGES METRO RENEGING on OPENING of RED LINE to SHADY GROVE

Montgomery County Executive Charles W. Gilchrist charged yesterday that Metro's Red Line extension from the District to Shady Grove station in Montgomery County, scheduled to open late next year, may be delayed as late as December 1985.

Metro officials responded that December 1984 is still the target date, but conceded that some additional delay is possible.

Gilchrist said that Metro General Manager Carmen Turner told him in late September that the 12-mile extension would likely open December 1984, but that last month, Metro staff members told county officials that a 1985 opening is more probable.

"That kind of uncertainty is unacceptable," Gilchrist said at a luncheon with reporters.  "This is not the first delay. You begin to wonder whether promises are being made on water."

In 1973, Metro announced it would open the Red Line to Rockville by 1979;  in 1980, officials said the line would open to Shady Grove in 1983.  Montgomery officials say the delays are particularly irksome because residents complain that the track is installed, several of the stations appear ready for use, and test trains regularly operate along the line.

Harold Barley, the program analyst in Metro's transit operations division, said December 1984 is still the target date to open the $570 million extension, but subway car deliveries and uncertainty about ridership and service levels could push back completion of service to the Shady Grove terminal until sometime in 1985.

To plan for "a lot of riders and a lot of service, that's the way it would come out," said Barley, but if Metro decides to run fewer subway cars for a lower number of riders, the transit authority may be able to open the seven stations in Montgomery next year, he said.

Barley said Metro hopes to complete its analysis of the various options next month, after which a firmer date for start of service could be made.

Metro officials stressed yesterday that both the 1984 and 195 projections hinge on thetimely delivery of rail cars from Italy, as well as the crucial ridership and service projections.

"We're as anxious as anyone to open Shady Grove as soon as possible," said Metro spokeswoman Beverly R. Silverberg.  "But we will do it safely, affordably, meeting the needs of the riders."

Barley said a premature opening of the Shady Grove line -- with too many cars or too few riders -- could stunt the success of the Montgomery extension for years.

As an interim solution, Metro officials said they are still considering extending service sometime next year to either the Friendship Heights or Grosvenor stations.