WMATA seeks public input on service, unveils new escalators

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has kicked off a campaign to solicit public input on ways to improve customer service.

The "Speak Up! It's Your Ride" campaign seeks to collect feedback from riders to determine how the agency can improve two-way communication and boost inclusiveness, diversity and accessibility when making decisions that affect passengers, WMATA officials said in a press release.

The agency has begun holding community events, conducting interviews and encouraging riders to fill out an online survey. Feedback from the events and surveys will be used to develop a new "public participation plan," which will guide WMATA officials' future outreach for changes in service, fares or programs.

Meanwhile, WMATA officials today will unveil the system's two newest escalators at Van Ness Station, the tenth and eleventh new escalators to be installed under the Metro Forward rebuilding program.

The Van Ness project marks the first two escalators under a contract with KONE Corp. to replace up to 128 escalators by 2020.  New escalators currently are being installed at five stations.