Good morning metro

My commute from Rockville to Dupont Circle took an hour instead of 30 minutes this morning. Apparently there was a power outage at Metro Center and that of course affects the entire Red Line. We finally get to Dupont the whole tunnel is dark, save a few emergency lights, and b/c the power is out I can't swipe my card to exit. I exited a metro station through a handicapped stall after someone else and I found the next morning that my SmartTrip card wasn't recognized when I swiped it. so money wasn't taken off the card. In order to enter the metro station that morning I had to request the station manager reset my card. What's going to happen tonight if the power is back on and everyone heads back home? Is there going to be a traffic jam line to get the station manager's to fix the cards?

(photo by erika and petra)

Another result of this power outage is that the escalator turned into massive stairs. As some know, Dupont Station is deep underground and it's escalators seem an eternity away from daylight and fresh air. I usually walk up the escalator when it's moving and it gets the blood flowing and wakes me up. But man, today was a challenge. I'm proud to say that I made it up the entire height without stopping for once. Thank you, legs! What about the disabled commuters? No power means no elevators. What impact did this have on their morning?