Metro to host ‘Fleet of the Future Expo’ on National Mall showcasing new trains, buses
WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Metro announced a new expo that will showcase its new railcars and zero-emission buses on the National Mall starting at the end of March.
From March 20 to April 3, Metro will host its Fleet of the Future Expo at 12th Street and Madison Drive NW, close to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and National Museum of Natural History. The Expo will be open every day during this time from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Expo will feature an 82-foot long, 10-foot wide mock-up of Metro’s upcoming 8000-series cars. Officials said that this is not a full-size replica but a prototype that “features portions of each to give customers an idea of what the trains will feel like.”
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It will also feature new 60-foot electric buses, two of which are already in service. Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke said that these buses have already garnered an “overwhelmingly positive response.”
Guests will be able to tour both the railcar and buses as well as learn more about the designs and provide feedback.
“The Expo should be fun for all ages and a convenient stop if you’re heading to see the cherry blossoms. You can also take pictures in a train-themed photobooth and with our Baby Bus mascot-themed photo cutout. Visitors can view rare, historic photos of old train and bus fleets and take a Metro history quiz,” Metro said on the event’s page.
Unveiling the Fleet of the Future marks a major step for Metro. We took best practices from all over the world – open gangways, more space, better digital screens for real-time information, enhanced video systems to improve safety, a more sustainable aluminum shell, and eye-catching design – and put them in this train. We are proud of all the improvements we were able to pack into this new fleet and welcome everyone to come out and see the future of America’s transit system.
Quote from Randy Clarke via Metro
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Officials said that this is the first time in decades that Metro will have an opportunity like this for the public to take a look at these mock-ups on the National Mall — the last time was for riders to take a look at its very first 1000-series cars in 1968.
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