The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) on Feb. 22 released an audit report of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) emergency management and fire and life safety programs that it said demonstrates “some improvements since the 2015 smoke accident near L’Enfant Plaza Station*, including markedly improved training and system familiarization for local first responders”; however, more work is required.
Steffanie Vagnozzi has joined the Edna A. Rice Executive Recruiters team. In addition, Brian Funk has assumed the role of Deputy General Manager-Chief Operating Officer at Metro Transit in Minneapolis and Michael L. Anzallo has assumed the role of Police Chief of the Metro Transit Police Department at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; both had served in the roles in an interim capacity.
Metrolinx has awarded Toronto’s Union Station Enhancement Project to ONTrack Alliance. In addition, Metro Vancouver’s Transport 2050 plan is now final; the $5 million rehabilitation of Virginia Railway Express’ (VRE) Fredericksburg station is expected to begin this summer; and Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) has earned a Transportation Security Administration award.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager and CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld has given notice that he will retire in six months, WMATA Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg reported on Jan 18.
The Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (WMATA) 7000-series rapid transit cars will be out of service for another 90 days, the agency reported on Jan. 13; it said it is acquiring technology to measure the cars’ wheelsets, which have been under inspection since an Oct. 12, 2021 Blue Line train derailment.
The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission on Dec. 29 ordered Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) to pull from service its 7000-series rapid transit cars; it is the second time in as many months the order has been made.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has paused bringing on line additional 7000-series rapid transit cars, following an update to the cars’ service restoration plan.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) 7000-series rapid transit cars will start returning to service this month under a “metered release” plan, the agency reported on Dec. 14.
Following the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Oct. 12 derailment, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a safety alert calling on rail transit agencies and commuter railroads to check their fleets for “wheelsets that do not meet gage specifications”; NTSB also released a preliminary report on the derailment.
Brightline is bringing BrightBikes to West Palm Beach, Fla. In addition, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is providing commuter railcar-seat availability data online; OC Transpo in Ottawa, Ontario, is offering “unlimited no-charge transit” in December; riders of metro Vancouver’s TransLink will be able to pay with Interac Debit by year-end 2022; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will maintain reduced rail service levels through the end of 2021.