Posts tagged Metrorail
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Investigators are narrowing in on a root cause of this month’s Red Line train pull-apart
The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission said on Tuesday that the preliminary investigation into this month’s Red Line train pull-apart may have been a repeat of another pull-apart from 2018. In another safety report, the WMSC said a Metro train was sent through a tunnel that could’ve had smoke in it, contrary to agency protocols. Keep reading…
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Facing budget cuts, Metro asks riders to select the least bad options
Riders, the public, and elected officials are being asked to weigh in as the Metro’s Board of Directors considers how to close a major hole in the agency’s budget caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. Metro’s Chief Financial Officer says the agency needs to cut $212 million from the agency’s $2 billion budget and will have to significantly cut service to do so. Keep reading…
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A Red Line train recently came apart. What happened?
Riders faced a roughly five-hour service suspension on Metro’s Red Line between Gallery Place and Rhode Island Avenue Friday after two cars of a train pulled apart unexpectedly. One hundred and eight passengers were aboard the 8-car 6000-series train during the ordeal, and DC firefighters evaluated two people for possible injuries. Keep reading…
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There are no safeguards against investigation interference at Metro’s ROCC, a report finds
Metro protocols don’t ensure investigations that occur are fully independent from the employees involved, according to the newest report from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC). Internal Metro investigations don’t always rely on first-hand reports from staff directly involved in the incidents, but instead descriptions of the events passed up through management ranks which could be altered. Keep reading…
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A caustic environment at Metro’s ROCC pushes out trainees and experienced employees alike
Metro’s Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC) doesn’t provide the proper training needed for employees and is also a caustic work environment, according to a recent report from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. Controllers reported not having the knowledge needed to do their jobs and suffered racial and sexual harassment along the way. Keep reading…
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For now, Metro has ramped up service. What measures can help keep riders and workers safe?
Metro’s recent restoration of most of its bus and rail services means more people can get where they need to be. How do Metro’s safety measures stack up against current evidence for how to protect riders and operators from COVID-19, and what do expected budget cuts mean for safety? Keep reading…
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More cracks were found at Silver Line stations. Here’s what needs to happen before Metro opens Phase 2.
Over 11% of the concrete panels installed at five of the six new stations on the Silver Line extension to Dulles have cracks in them, according to a new report published by the Metro Office of Inspector General. The OIG wants the panels replaced, but laid out nine steps which must happen before the WMATA Board accepts responsibility for and opens the new extension. Keep reading…
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Metro’s newest budget is grim, dire, and insert-your-negative-adjective-here
Metrobus service after midnight might end, 39 routes could be cut, and trains would run less often and for fewer hours if Metro doesn’t receive additional federal funding to fill the budget gap created by COVID-19. Keep reading…
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WMSC names Metro’s Senior Vice President for Rail Transportation in safety incidents
A lengthy audit conducted by the body overseeing Metrorail safety found numerous safety issues with Metro’s Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC) which dispatches and manages trains. In the audit, the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) alleges that Metro’s Senior Vice President for Rail Transportation broke safety protocols and instructed others to break them during her time at Metro. Keep reading…
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A new audit finds both new and ongoing critical safety issues at Metro’s rail control center
Harassment, confusion, fatigue, short-staffed, ill-trained. A new audit of the Metrorail Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC) lays bare ongoing issues at the nerve center of Metro’s rail network, and with it, some of what Metro needs to do to begin to fix it. Recent Metro actions have shown “promise,” but what will it take to turn the department around? Keep reading…