Metro has taken all 748 of its 7000-series railcars out of service pending further inspections, and they will not return to service until they are deemed safe. The 7000-series trains make up approximately 60 percent of Metro’s railcar fleet. Without these railcars, Metro is able to operate significantly fewer trains than normal. Service on all lines will operate every 30 minutes today, Monday, October 18. All trains will operate as six-car trains.
Reduced Metrorail service is expected to continue until at least Sunday, October 24, as the investigation into the October 12 derailment continues. Beginning tomorrow, trains will operate every 15 minutes on the Red Line and will continue to operate every 30 minutes on all other lines. Silver Line trains will operate between Wiehle-Reston East and Federal Center SW only.
As Metro continues to work closely with the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission and NTSB and more information develops, we will update the public about service.
Actions Taken
WMATA started working with NTSB and the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission last week to determine the cause of the Blue Line derailment at Arlington Cemetery; that investigation is still ongoing.
Because safety remains our number one priority, we have removed all 7000-series railcars from service to properly inspect the fleet.
These actions are being taken out of an abundance of caution.
- We understand the impact this decision has on transportation for the DMV area (National Capital Region). We apologize for this reduction in service and the inconvenience this is causing our customers.
- As customers experience delays and full rail cars during their commute, please know we have made a concerted effort to improve airflow. Face masks continue to be required throughout the system, and Metrorail cars recycle the air approximately every three minutes
- We want the public to know we are committed to their safety and will continue to release updates as we receive them.
Frequently Asked Questions
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