A Metro train derailed in DC last week. Now, 60% of its fleet is out of service
Commuters on Metro trains in Washington D.C. will see significant delays Monday, while local authorities investigate a car derailment from last week.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced late Sunday that its 7000-series rail cars — approximately 60% of the Metrorail's fleet — would be held out of service on Monday, leaving just 40 six-car trains across the Metro's six rail lines.
"This will allow only a basic service pattern on all lines, departing about every 30 minutes," wrote WMATA on Twitter.
WMATA encouraged its riders to consider alternate forms of travel on Monday, such as the Metrobus. And in anticipation of delayed commutes, the D.C. public school system said Sunday that late student arrivals would be excused.
Monday's investigations follow a car derailment on the Metrorail's Blue Line on Oct. 12. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission ordered the 7000-series service hold after inspectors found that one of the car's axles was "out of compliance" with specifications. According to WMSC, similar defects were found in other 7000-series train cars.
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ALERT: As part of the investigation into the Blue Line derailment, Metro is holding out of service all of its 7000-series railcars, which is about 60% of its rail fleet. Without these rail cars, Metro will operate about 40 trains tomorrow. 1/2
— Metro (@wmata) October 17, 2021
The National Transportation Safety Board said it would hold a media briefing at 10 a.m. Monday to give an investigation update.
“We share a sense of urgency to understand why the derailment occurred,” wrote Paul Wiedefeld, Metro General Manager and CEO, in a note to employees obtained by WTOP News.
Contributing: The Associated Press.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 60% of DC Metro trains are out of service Monday, following derailment