WASHINGTON — The independent agency that oversees DC Metrorail safety issues has given its approval to a plan to gradually return Metro’s 7000-series railcars to service, ending an equipment shortage that has led to a significant reduction in Metrorail operations.
The Washington Post reports the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission said it had no technical objections to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s proposal to return the 748 Kawasaki-built railcars to operation. The cars, which make up about 60% of the Metrorail equipment fleet, were removed from service as a result of a wheelset defect that caused an October derailment.
“From now until after the first of the year, customers may see some 7000-series railcars transition safely back to service,” WMATA General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a statement. “This is part of the process that will enable Metro to announce a more definitive service plan after the first of the year. Until that time, the transition of the 7000-series railcars through the end of the year will allow us to improve reliability.”
The plan will see 336 of the cars gradually returned to service. Their performance will be assessed after 90 days, after which the remainder of the cars would return to operation. The cars’ wheelsets will be inspected every seven days, while the cars will receive a full inspection every seven days. Previously, inspections were at 90-day intervals.
