Federal Investigators Slam Metro

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Federal Transit Administration has just slammed Metro in a new report following recent safety issues in the system, including a derailment near the East Falls Church station that injured one person and shut down the station for days. The feds are promising in the report to "assist" WMATA in making sure that corrective actions are taken.

The report, which was posted online by WTOP here, says that Metro failed to properly train track inspectors, and the inspectors don't have enough time on the tracks to do their jobs. Also, the report criticized Metro for not using a high-tech automated inspection vehicle that it has at its disposal.

The report says Metro needs to review its track inspection resources as well as its training, improve the maintenance and inspection manual, increase oversight and overall improve track construction and maintenance.

FTA investigators noted that the wooden ties were in poor condition in the report. Deteriorated rail ties resulted in the July 29 derailment.

The report claims that Metro was aware of problems at East Falls Church, but didn't schedule track work until later to keep the trains running.

Metro has assured federal investigators that it will be conducting detailed inspections of heavily used switches and crossovers during single-tracking. In the meantime, WMATA will have the federal government looking over its shoulder.

"The FTA will monitor WMATA activity to implement these corrective actions," the report states. "In addition, as WMATA works to improve the quality of its track inspection and maintenance programs, the findings and required actions outlined in this Directive will assist the agency in focusing its attention on safety-critical priorities as it develops and implements new programs to enhance its track inspection and maintenance programs."

Image via WMATA