The WMSC supports Metrorail's actions today that provide for the safety of Metrorail riders and workers.
Last month, the WMSC's Audit of Rail Operations identified that Metrorail is not meeting its operational refresher training and recertification requirements (Finding 6)
After issuing that audit, the WMSC learned and communicated to Metrorail leadership that Metrorail had stopped train operator recertifications entirely.
The WMSC communicated the seriousness of this safety issue to Metrorail and gathered additional information over the last few weeks so we are pleased that the #WMATA Chief Safety Officer and Metro Board are now aggressively addressing the matter.
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Chair Hart: Our meeting today includes updates on the WMSC’s ongoing safety oversight activities, including the status of Metrorail’s response to our order related to the 7000 Series railcars.
Chair Hart: The WMSC is continuing our active involvement in the National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the October 12th derailment.
Chair Hart: The WMSC has also been consistently and clearly communicating with Metrorail regarding Metro’s plans, required under our order, to safely return each 7000 Series railcar to revenue service.
CEO Mayer: For example, we verified last month that Metrorail has implemented worker protection features as part of the control board in the Alexandria Yard Tower. We had identified this missing protection feature during work on our Rail Operations Audit in October.
CEO Mayer: The draft of that report was transmitted to WMATA last month, but as noted in that draft report, we had communicated this safety concern in real time as we identified it. And we are pleased that it has now been corrected.
CEO Mayer: We also issued a finding last August on Metrorail not following its Safety Certification process. Had Metrorail followed its process, it could have prevented this safety deficiency from occurring in the first place.
Chair Hart: Our meeting today includes updates on the WMSC’s ongoing safety oversight activities, including the status of Metrorail’s response to our order related to the 7000 Series railcars.
Chair Hart: The WMSC is continuing our active involvement in the National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the October 12th derailment.
CEO Mayer: We continue to work as part of the NTSB investigation into the October 12th derailment.
Chair Hart: Our meeting today includes updates on the WMSC’s ongoing safety oversight activities, including the status of Metrorail’s response to our most recent order related to the 7000 Series railcars.
Chair Hart: The WMSC is continuing our active involvement in the National Transportation Safety Board investigation into the October 12th derailment.
Chair Hart: The WMSC has also been consistently and clearly communicating with Metrorail regarding Metro’s plans, required under our order, to safely return each 7000 Series railcar to revenue service.
CEO Mayer: Metrorail’s first revision to its Public Transportation Agency Safety Plan, or PTASP, is on the agenda for consideration later in this meeting.
CEO Mayer: Metrorail is required by the WMSC and FTA to revise this plan at least annually, and the WMSC provides additional requirements as part of our Program Standard.
CEO Mayer: In the big picture, an Agency Safety Plan requires a comprehensive safety management approach that involves everyone in the organization in a proactive and data driven approach to safety.
CEO Mayer: Our staff are continuing our work in other areas including safety audits, inspections, investigations and safety certification oversight.
CEO Mayer: For example – last week our team observed a tabletop emergency exercise as part of our regular monitoring of Metrorail’s emergency preparedness.
CEO Mayer: Separately, during our inspection work, our staff became aware of safety concerns with fire alarm systems that we directed Metrorail to address immediately.