Perfection comes at a high price. Metro is paying more than $51 million for outside expertise in how to run the transit agency. The consultants are analyzing data, studying escalators, advising onSmarTrip farecards and even crafting requests for other outside contracts in the quest to keep the transit system running. …

This makes total sense. [TBD] On Sunday, Jan. 8, a couple hundred Metro riders finally rebelled. Pants, these riders decided, were far too constraining, and they planned to simultaneously drop their while riding on the D.C. Metro system. People gathered, anxious, laughing, and ready to unveil, at Hancock Park next …

Some people read on the Metro, other people gamble. [via DeadSpin & JB]

The temperature has dropped since last week. Those from Wisconsin call this summer. Those from South call this miserable and freezing cold. The rest of us call it Fall. For this young couple on the Metro last night, the temperature was so unbearable, they felt the need to snuggle in order …

Metro has decided to shell out good money for team building exercises, none of which will improve service quality. [trust falls] Metro is spending thousands of dollars so its top department heads can go through team-building exercises with a leadership coach. The transportation agency says it is shelling out about …

Man of the Metro. Originally posted by Byron Tau in POLITICO.

This makes total sense, especially during a three-day weekend. [dude] Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching (woohoo!) but you’ll need to do a little planning in advance because four metro stops will be CLOSED all of Memorial Day weekend. Extensive track work will close Capitol South, Eastern Market, Potomac Ave …

We have never said this before, but it might soon be safer and wiser to start taking the Metro in DC. [seriously?] D.C. police officers still do not have one of the most basic tools for catching drunk drivers, even though more than a year has passed since city officials …

This picture was taken at 7:45pm on Monday evening.  A tipster snapped the photo as the Blue line train was approaching Ronald Reagan National Airport.  We feel it’s only appropriate that we title this photo: The Mile Low Club. h/t Mully

This should surprise no one. [walk it, it’s good exercise] A Metro report says escalators are breaking down more often and remaining out of service for longer periods. View more videos at: http://www.nbcwashington.com.

“looking like a fool with your pants on the ground …” All photos courtesy of Patrick Ryan. Go check out the rest at SnarkInfested. No Pants Metro Ride 2011

The NBC Washington headline says it all: Metro Opens Bags Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn “says he is not worried about a trend in terror threats against the transit system,” WTOP reports. And so WMATA will begin random bag searches at Metro stations soon. Are you as confused as …

Where even the escalators can kill you. Liz Farmer: Broken Metro escalators send riders flying Two escalator brake failures in five days sent passengers flying down to the bottom — and landed four in the hospital, putting the spotlight on Metro’s deteriorating escalator performance.

And a stabbing at Foggy Bottom Metro gives D.C. the trifecta: bank robbery, drive-by, & stabbing. Stabbing outside Foggy Bottom Metro shuts down station A stabbing outside of the Foggy Bottom Metro station shortly before 11 a.m. shut down all three escalators into the station, a Metropolitan Police Department spokeswoman …

Summer may be over, but that doesn’t change the fact that the left side isn’t for standing. From a new site, How To Use An Escalator In DC Tourists: when you get off the escalator, be sure to pause for a minute with your group to make sure that everyone …