Inaugural Crowds Strain DC Transport

Commuters trapped inside station for more than 30 minutes

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 20, 2009 8:40 AM CST

(Newser) – Washington’s public-transportation system is stretched to breaking today as crowds arriving on the Metro and commuter trains choke the exits at L’Enfant Plaza, the main disembarkation point for the National Mall. At 8:15am, a medical emergency forced officials to slow crowds leaving the station, and packed platforms have left commuters stuck for half an hour or more, reports the Washington Post.

Union Station, the capital’s main commuter train terminal, has also been crowded, though not unmanageably so. At L’Enfant Plaza, spectators for the inauguration have been waiting in lines 75 deep just to use the escalator. But the mood in the station is buoyant, and commuters have been chanting Barack Obama’s signature rallying cry, “Fired up, ready to go!”

Record crowds attending the inauguration of Barack Obama have strained Washington's public transportation system. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

After Historic Day, Historic Cleanup

Trash-bin shortage caused tons of litter to pile up

(NEWSER) - Crews working into the wee hours hauled away at least 130 tons of garbage after America’s largest, and messiest, outdoor bash Tuesday, the Washington Post reports. With trashcans removed for security precautions, inauguration attendees littered the National Mall, leaving it looking like a rendition of Disney's Wall-E. Obama gear, American flags, handwarmers, newspapers, and even vendor tables were left behind. More»

'Human Gridlock' Plagues Ceremony

Inauguration spectators wait for hours to get in and out of Mall area

(NEWSER) - The record-breaking crowd—an estimated 1.8 million people—at today’s inaugural events is overwhelming Washington’s streets and mass-transit systems, creating long waits for spectators trying to exit the Mall area, the Post reports. Hours after the swearing-in, some were still waiting to enter Metro stations. “It’s something you have to endure for the chance of a lifetime,” one traveler said. More»

Obamas Visit Bushes While Huge Crowd Waits

DC's mood lightens as thousands crowd the Mall for inauguration

(NEWSER) - A tell-your-grandchildren moment is happening in DC right now, reports CNN. Barack and Michelle Obama went from church to the White House to meet George and Laura Bush; then they’re on to the Capitol. Hundreds of thousands are gathered, with up to 2 million expected. One local says Washington’s typical cynicism is evaporating: “People are walking lighter, standing taller, and are reaching out to one another.” More»

Eager Crowds Swarm Before Dawn

Rush hour at 4:30am; thousands flood mall

(NEWSER) - As late night became early morning in Washington, eager crowds were already forming outside Metro stops, the Washington Post reports. By 4:30am, some trains were reminiscent of rush hour; by 5:30, the line outside one station was 2 miles long. Meanwhile, thousands poured into the Mall, bundled into sleeping bags in the 20-degree chill. More»

DC Cuts in Half Inaugural Crowd Estimates

Transit survey shows about 2.5M are heading for the capital

(NEWSER) - Washington officials have sliced in half earlier estimates for the number of people expected to swarm Washington for the inauguration, the Washington Post reports. The original projections, as high as 5 million, were founded on the election’s historic nature, while revised numbers are based on talks with transport companies and other authorities. Still, estimating is “more of an art than a science,” says a city administrator. “Earlier it was speculation. Now we're beginning to flesh it out.” More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Inaugural Crowds Strain DC Transport

Commuters trapped inside station for more than 30 minutes

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

National Mall • public transportation • Washington Metro • inauguration • Washington, DC • President Obama • L'Enfant Plaza

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

After Historic Day, Historic Cleanup

Trash-bin shortage caused tons of litter to pile up

'Human Gridlock' Plagues Ceremony

Inauguration spectators wait for hours to get in and out of Mall area

Obamas Visit Bushes While Huge Crowd Waits

DC's mood lightens as thousands crowd the Mall for inauguration

Eager Crowds Swarm Before Dawn

Rush hour at 4:30am; thousands flood mall

DC Cuts in Half Inaugural Crowd Estimates

Transit survey shows about 2.5M are heading for the capital

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Inaugural Crowds Strain DC Transport

Commuters trapped inside station for more than 30 minutes

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

National Mall • public transportation • Washington Metro • inauguration • Washington, DC • President Obama • L'Enfant Plaza

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

After Historic Day, Historic Cleanup

Trash-bin shortage caused tons of litter to pile up

'Human Gridlock' Plagues Ceremony

Inauguration spectators wait for hours to get in and out of Mall area

Obamas Visit Bushes While Huge Crowd Waits

DC's mood lightens as thousands crowd the Mall for inauguration

Eager Crowds Swarm Before Dawn

Rush hour at 4:30am; thousands flood mall

DC Cuts in Half Inaugural Crowd Estimates

Transit survey shows about 2.5M are heading for the capital

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?