For number 1 having one fare all the time does simplify use of the system. However, you inspired me to play around with the fare calculator and it looks like the only people who would be having fares reduced are traveling during peak periods and currently pay up to $3.30 per fare. At $3.45 there's a fare increase. For off peak travelers unless you're currently paying the base $2 fare, in which case it will stay the same, you will see an increase (even the $2.05 fare goes up).

Wonderfully quick restoration of service! After 497 days 2 out of 6 lines will have service every 8 minutes and on one of those lines it won't even be for all service hours.

To be fair green line actually has better service than right before the derailment. But that may just be because it's running more frequently to compensate for the yellow line.

I wasn't on that train but I was on the silver ticket train. When we passed through the IAD station on the way to Ashburn I was really surprised to see how many travelers were at the IAD station waiting for the train to DC.

Cool. Now I'm going to have to start obsessively watching the real time clocks so I can make it to the station in time to see an Ashburn bound train of my own.

I was thinking all silver line trains are actually running Ashburn - Largo for testing just passengers aren't allowed to ride past Wiehle and all signage should be reading Wiehle for west bound trains. I guess having all trains run the full route doesn't really make sense given the lack of trains.

Hmm, I just looked at Metro's online map and apparently Phase II of the Silver line is now colored white on this map and the Phase II stations are appearing on the live map (though no trains are showing up in that section).

Did you see the train? Was it actually signed Ashburn?