Federal Transit Authority Reports Critical Flaws in D.C. Metro Operations

Described as an unprecedented federal safety inspection of operations at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority produced 78 safety fixes for the system.

1 minute read

June 21, 2015, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

Lori Aratani reports: "Metro’s central train control center — tasked with ensuring the safety of thousands of passengers moving through the nation’s second-busiest rail system — is chronically understaffed, chaotic and filled with distractions, according to a federal report released Wednesday."

"Staff members lack adequate training and have no formal checklists to help guide them in doing their jobs. Employees frequently ignore rules — several were seen using cellphones while working. And in other instances, because of miscommunication trains were directed into areas that should have been off-limits," adds Aratani in summarizing the report.

The review followed the fatal incident on January 12, 2015, when smoke filled a Yellow Line tunnel.

Aratani's reportage included more on the response of D.C. Metro officials to the findings.

FULL STORY: FTA report: There are significant flaws in Metro’s safety management system

Wednesday, June 17, 2015 in The Washington Post

Transportation District of Columbia Washington D.C. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority D.C. Metro Transit Safety Federal Transit Administration View More

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