WMATA Advances Final Phase of 7,000-Series Return-to-Service Plan

WMATA 7000-Series Rapid Transit Cars. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) on April 12 announced concurrence from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WSMC) that allows the agency to move to the final phase of its 7,000-series Return-to-Service Plan.

According to WMATA, under the new plan details, the operations team will implement a 15-day manual measurement interval with a path to progress a longer measurement period in the future. The new 15-day process, the agency says, comes because of data analysis combined with operational considerations that will “make more trains available to meet the May 7 service schedule, which coincides with the return of the Yellow Line and allows for the training of additional rail operators.”

WMATA says it continues to work collaboratively with WMSC to “advance use of the Automated Wayside (Drive-Thru) Inspection System and increase the wheelset interference fit and press tonnage plan,” both of which will require Safety Certification and separate concurrence from the WMSC.

“This is good news for Metro customers,” said WMATA Chief Safety and Readiness Officer Theresa M. Impastato. “The WMSC’s concurrence on the 15-day plan means more 7000-series cars are available for more frequent and reliable service. This final phase of our Return-to-Service plan is built upon nearly a year of continuous refinement of our measurement process and makes more of our 7000-series fleet accessible to provide service throughout the region.”