Safety panel orders WMATA to revise 7000-series return to service

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) yesterday announced that it is ordering the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to revise its plan to return 7000-series rail cars to passenger service.

The order requires WMATA to make the changes before any 7000-series rail cars can be returned to service in any capacity. It also requires the agency to give "timely notification" to the commission of any revisions to the plan, officials said in a press release. WMATA will not be allowed to carry out any alternative procedures outside of what's outlined in the return-to-service plan.

The WMSC's order follows the identification of at least five of the total 40 rail cars that did not meet criteria for returning to service. WMATA submitted a return-to-service plan to the commission earlier this month. The plan was required after a 7000-series rail car derailment occurred in October on Metrorail's Blue Line. In response to the derailment, WMATA removed all 7000-series rail cars, representing about 60% of the agency's fleet.