Thread by @JWPascale

Metrorail Safety Commission's CEO is up next. Listen at WAMU.org

https://twitter.com/politicshour/status/1451540089352372224

Mayer explains what WMSC is: an independent oversight agency for Metrorail safety.

wmsc.gov/about-us/who-w…

Mayer on why they chose to stop the use of 7000-series trains.
Metro had been doing inspections and with half of the inspections done, we were learning about dozens of wheel gauge defects and decided at that point to order the trains sidelined.

Mayer says WMSC does not have any time component in its order and it's up to Metro to submit a plan on how and when to get these new trains back on the rails.

Mayer says if Metro knew about the wheelset issues cropping up more this year, it should've told the WMSC about it. Metro is required to report safety deficiencies and didn't.

Earlier this AM, Wiedefeld said it should've been relayed and he's investigating why it wasn't

Mayer doesn't directly answer whether WMSC will approve a plan that allows traincars to return to service one by one.

"We're looking at an issue that gets worse over time. Just bc it is safe on day one, doesn't mean it is safe later."

Says inspection interval is important to catch these wheel issues before derailments.

Removing the 7000-series trains is putting a big strain on service. This all comes as the region is attempting to reopen and this certainly puts a big speed bump into that recovery. Your role is obviously in safety, but how does service impacts weigh on your decisions?

"Yes, (the decision to remove 60% of the fleet) has even affected my own travel, but our focus is certainly safety, not service delivery."