WMATA to maintain reduced rail service through Dec. 31

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced yesterday it will maintain reduced rail service through Dec. 31.

The agency has yet to determine a timeline to return its 7000-series fleet to service. The rail cars were suspended in October due to safety concerns. WMATA's 6000-series rail cars are awaiting repairs, but parts are delayed due to global supply chain challenges, WMATA officials said in a press release.

"As we get more parts, we will return more of the 6000-series rail cars to service for our customers during December," said General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld.

Nearly 75% of Metrorail stations have trains arriving at least every 10 to 12 minutes. More frequent service will depend on additional rail cars meeting safety standards, as WMATA continues to test new inspection protocols for the sidelined 7000-series rail cars. Engineers are working on returning 748 of those rail cars to service, with plans for more frequent safety inspections once in service, WMATA officials said.

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission will need to approve the 7000-series test and restoration plans once completed.

Metrorail is operating with 70% fewer riders than the weekday average through pandemic recovery, and officials said the agency typically has low ridership around the holidays. Rush-hour trains today carry about half of the passengers they carried at peak times pre-pandemic.