Additional 7000-series trains returning to Metrorail service September 12
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will be able to return up to 20 of its 7000-series trains to daily service starting Sept. 12, under an updated return to service plan that has been approved by the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC). The updated return to service plan was developed based on data analysis accumulated during the first phase of the 7000-series trains service reentry, which includes an accumulation of more than 860,000 miles of train travel.
The increased number of trains marks the start of the second phase of WMATA’s return to service for the 7000-series fleet; the first phase saw up to eight trains enter daily service. The third phase will be determined by WMATA and approved by WMSC at a later date.
Phase One saw nightly inspections of the trains and Phase Two will implement a four-day inspection interval. WMATA reports it inspected 234 cars 24,000 times during the summer and the return to service plan says the authority has 56,000 data points for back-to-back and journal bearing gap with no measured failures or observable movement.
WMATA installed the first automated inspection system this spring. The authority intends to install six of these systems to inspect wheelsets of its 7000-series railcars in real time. WMATA says any railcar with wheel measurement changes would be removed from the fleet.
“Our 7000-series trains are the newest and most reliable in Metro’s fleet, and they are key to providing the level of service our customers want and deserve,” said WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “In my frequent conversations with Metro customers, I hear over and over that more frequent service and more 7000-series trains on the tracks are a top priority, and that’s what we’re working to deliver. We appreciate the partnership of WMSC in our shared efforts to improve service for the region.”
The return of more 7000-series trains will also mean improved train frequency for Metrorail customers. WMATA released updated service times on Sept. 6. Lines are currently running service every 10-15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes during the weekends on the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines. Starting Sept. 12, service will operate daily at every eight minutes on the Green Line, every 10 minutes on the Red Line and every 15 minutes on the Orange, Silver and Blue Lines.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
