Metrorail To Operate At Only 40 Percent Capacity This Week As Investigation Continues

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — The Metrorail has removed from service all 748 of its 7000-series railcars until they can all be inspected and deemed safe to return to service. The 7000-series trains comprise upwards of 60 percent of Metrorail's railcar fleet. The remaining trains will operate for the rest of the week as six-car trains.

Starting Tuesday, 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.

Metrorail service is expected to operate at a much lower capacity until at least Sunday as the investigation into the Oct. 12 derailment continues.

“Safety remains Metro’s number one priority,” Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a statement. “While we continue working hand-in-hand with the NTSB, FTA and WMSC on the investigation, I want to assure our customers that their safety is driving every decision being made. We apologize for the reduced service and ask for our customers’ continued patience and support as we work to get Metro back to normal operations. I want to thank Metro employees who are working around the clock. Your dedication is appreciated.”

Customers are encouraged to consider using Metrobus for their travel if possible. Visit wmata.com/maps or use the trip planner at wmata.com to explore travel alternatives.

At 4:51 p.m. Oct. 12, Train 407, which included eight 7000-series cars, derailed between the Rosslyn and Arlington Cemetery stations. The train was heading southbound on track two toward the Huntington Station with 187 passengers on board. According to the National Transportation and Safety Board, which is investigating the incident, said that the Metrorail train had derailed twice that same day.

During its investigation of the derailment, the NTSB discovered that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority was aware of potential problems with the wheel and axel assembles of its 7000-series trains since at least 2017.