Thread by @JWPascale

NEW: Metro hosting 3 pm press conference on update of 7000-series train. Will tweet updates in this thread

Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld says Metro will start doing daily briefings on service, what they're doing to get the 7000-series trains back and latest on the root cause.

Today's service ran 31 trains and an extra train on Green Line to address crowding.

Working to place 2000, 3000 series cars back in service.

Wiedefeld: Metro returning one 6000-series trainset every two week. Trying to get more parts in stock to accelerate that.

Metro sending its testing plan to @MetrorailSafety later this week and then a mitigation plan later.

Metro meeting with NTSB, Kawasaki, axle manufacturer, and other parties tomorrow to look at out-of-compliance wheelsets.

Metro is moving from a paper-based system for maintenance and trying to get predictive computer systems to identify issues ahead of time.

Wiedefeld trying to clear up some misconceptions:
Operator nor anyone else knew that the train derailed twice before the final one. Only discovered later when found marks on the tracks.

Board Chair Paul Smedberg says he's heard from several stakeholders, says it shows how important WMATA is to the region.

Smedberg said he too train Friday at 11:30 to go downtown and experienced "what everyone else is -- waited close to 35 mins. I just missed a train one min or two before that but had given myself enough time to get there. Not bad crowd wise but have heard about some crowding."

Wiedefeld said crowding is variable between lines and time of day. But said this is not the level of service they want to provide. Working to make it better.

Presser has wrapped