More Emergency Management Work Ahead for WMATA, Audit Finds

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) on Feb. 22 released an audit report of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) emergency management and fire and life safety programs that it said demonstrates “some improvements since the 2015 smoke accident near L’Enfant Plaza Station*, including markedly improved training and system familiarization for local first responders”; however, more work is required.

WMATA 7000-Series Rapid Transit Cars: Courtesy Wikipedia

WMATA Eyes Trackside Wheel Inspection Tech

The Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (WMATA) 7000-series rapid transit cars will be out of service for another 90 days, the agency reported on Jan. 13; it said it is acquiring technology to measure the cars’ wheelsets, which have been under inspection since an Oct. 12, 2021 Blue Line train derailment.

WMATA 7000-Series Cars Sidelined, Again

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission on Dec. 29 ordered Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) to pull from service its 7000-series rapid transit cars; it is the second time in as many months the order has been made.

WMATA Pauses 7000-Series Car Ramp Up

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has paused bringing on line additional 7000-series rapid transit cars, following an update to the cars’ service restoration plan.

WMATA 7000-Series Cars to Resume Service

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) 7000-series rapid transit cars will start returning to service this month under a “metered release” plan, the agency reported on Dec. 14.

FTA Releases Safety Advisory Following WMATA Derailment

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Safety Advisory requiring State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOA) to report “out-of-tolerance wheel gauges” on all rail transit rolling stock in revenue service, and recommending fleet-wide inspections of wheel gauges at public transportation systems in their jurisdictions.

WMATA Removes All 7000-Series Cars Following Derailment (UPDATED, NTSB Briefing)

As part of the investigation into the Oct. 12 derailment on Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Blue Line, all 748 7000-series rapid transit cars were sidelined on Oct. 18.

Transit Briefs: GO Transit; WMATA; Caltrain

GO Transit commuter rail service is coming to London, Ontario. In addition, the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) has released an audit of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) railcar maintenance and overhaul practices; and Caltrain has launched a Go Pass donation pilot program.

Transit Briefs: WMATA, San Diego MTS/NCTD, PennDOT

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) has audited Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s fitness for duty practices, finding 11 areas where improvement is needed. In addition, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) have officially launched the region’s new PRONTO fare collection system, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is calling on students to participate in its fifth-annual Innovations Challenge.

Report: WMATA 6000-Series Cars Sidelined ‘Indefinitely’

The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (WMATA) fleet of 6000-series rapid transit cars remains out of service, following two train-separation incidents on the Red Line in 2020, according to the Washington Post.

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