Beyoncé pays P5.6 million to keep Washington, D.C. trains open as heavy rains delayed 'Renaissance' concert
American singer Beyoncé reportedly paid $100,000 (P5.6 million) to keep 98 train stations in Washington, D.C. open for another hour amid heavy rain and lightning which delayed her concert in the United States capital.
“Due to inclement weather that may delay the start of tonight’s Renaissance World Tour at FedExField, Metro will extend the last train by an extra hour beyond the extended closing previously announced,” the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said in a statement, as cited by CNN International.
The $100,000 will cover the cost to "run more trains, keep all 98 stations open for customers to exit, and other operational expenses," the agency added.
Concert venue FedEx Field on X (formerly Twitter) on early Aug. 7 issued a shelter-in-place order, asking fans outside of gates and in the parking lots to return to their cars due to lightning. This, however, left fans sweltering in hot and humid conditions as they waited for word on what was happening, CNN reported.
"All fans inside of the stadium are asked to shelter in place under covered concourse areas and ramps until further notice," FedEx Field said at the time.
The order was lifted after almost two hours, during which several people were treated for heat exhaustion while one person was hospitalized, according to CNN's report citing its affiliate WJLA.
In any case, the show went on and left concertgoers in awe.
Beyonce, who has a record 32 Grammy awards, is among the world's biggest grossing female artists. She is also a fashion icon, with designers queueing up for her attention.
She initially rose to fame as part of Destiny's Child—whose smash hits included Survivor and Say My Name—before embarking on a wildly successful solo career.
The Renaissance World Tour, announced last February, is the star's first solo tour since 2016. It will last until September.
In February, Beyonce made history by becoming the most successful artist in the history of the Grammys, surpassing the late classical conductor Georg Solti's long-standing record of 31 lifetime trophies.
Renaissance, her 16-song seventh studio album in 2022, became an instant hit and earned wide praise for its deep ambition. (with reports from AFP)