This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
10/19/2021
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) Metrorail service will operate on a reduced schedule at least until Oct. 24, as an investigation continues into an Oct. 12 derailment, agency officials said yesterday.
The reduced schedule began yesterday morning, after WMATA suspended 748 of its 7000-series rail cars, or about 60% of its rail fleet, as part of an investigation of a recent derailment on Metrorail’s Blue Line. The investigation found that the fourth axle of the car that derailed was out of compliance with 7000-series specifications.
The agency is working with the National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Transit Administration and Washington Metrorail Safety Commission on the investigation.
"As a function of its oversight responsibility, [WMATA's] board will take any actions necessary to ensure the safety of Metro’s customers and employees as the facts of the investigation develop," said Chair Paul Smedberg in a press release.