WMATA pauses 7000-series ramp up

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is pausing the return of additional 7000-series rail cars to service.

WMATA General Manager and CEO Paul Wiedefeld is ordering a new regime of daily 7000-series inspections, agency officials said in a press release. While there are no new concerns with the rail cars, the move to nightly inspections is being made in an “abundance of caution.”

"While I recognize the pause is unexpected, we are going to continuously evaluate data we are collecting to ensure that we are enhancing safety," Wiedefeld said. “I feel that requiring a daily inspection is the safest course until we know more and our experts have an opportunity to review the data we are collecting with the few trainsets now in operation.”

WMATA's 7000-series vehicles represent about 60% of the agency’s rail-car fleet. The entire fleet was pulled from service following an October derailment on the Metrorail Blue Line.