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Connolly Statement on WMATA Incident

Washington, October 18, 2021
Today, Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, released the following statement regarding the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission's decision to remove all 7000 series cars from service due to critical safety concerns. 

“When Congress enacted legislation to create the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, we did so to create a rigorous safety oversight body that could make the tough decisions required to keep riders safe. The WMSC’s difficult but necessary decision to remove 7000 series cars from service reconfirms the Commission’s critical role in regional transit safety oversight. According to the NTSB, WMATA did not take the necessary steps to address a potentially fatal mechanical failure of the 7000 series cars and let the problem languish and worsen over the course of four years. This is unacceptable and could have resulted in a catastrophic tragedy. I am demanding a plan of action from WMATA for how these issues will be addressed and rider confidence in system safety restored.”
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