Update: WMATA is slowly bringing back services. Metrobus fareboxes and bus radios are back in operation, MetroAccess dispatch and online reservations are working, and this morning I heard a public address system test. More info from this WMATA release.

WMATA’s communications systems suffered a major power failure early this morning, disrupting bus and rail service through the course of the DC morning rush. Buses and trains are still running, but buses have no direct communication with their operations center, Bus Smartrip scanners don’t work, debit transactions are out, credit transactions limited, the public address system is down, and other systems like NextBus and MetroAcess online reservations have failed as well.

Buses are currently free to ride, and bus drivers are literally phoning it in to communicate with control.

More info from NBC Washington, WTOP, MyFoxDC, and WUSA9.

Paulo Ordoveza

Roving Asian mendicant, can occasionally be seen wandering the streets of downtown Washington, muttering unintelligible gibberish to passers-by while pushing a “bag lady” shopping cart full of old blankets, American flags, soda cans, and healthy secondhand snacks from organic food shop dumpsters. Used to live in a cardboard box at 16th and K but the rent was too expensive.