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The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) demonstrated improvement in several performance categories during the first quarter.

On-time performance remained steady or improved slightly compared with the same quarter a year ago. On-time performance on the Metrorail system rose 0.5 percent to 89.8 percent, WMATA officials said in a prepared statement.

Escalator availability outperformed 2011 as a result of improved preventive maintenance practices and faster response time for repairs, they said. Escalator availability rose to 89.1 percent versus 87.4 percent in first-quarter 2011.

Safety also improved with fewer rider injuries (1.74 per million trips) and fewer employee injuries (five per 200,000 hours) during the quarter.

But WMATA’s quarterly performance report also showed areas in need of improvement, including continuing door problems. The agency is advancing installation of new door relays in the 2000, 3000- and 6000-car fleets, which will improve door reliability, WMATA officials said.