Metro News Release

For immediate release: January 31, 2007

Metrobus fire attributed to braking and air dryer systems

The rear wheel area on Metrobus 2044 traveling the L2 route from McPherson Square to Chevy Chase caught fire at 5:45 a.m. today near 18th and K streets, Northwest. The fire was contained in the exterior undercarriage of the bus.

The Metrobus operator heard a tire blow out and directed the three passengers on board to exit. When everyone was safely off the bus, the operator reported flames from the rear wheels to Metro officials.

Metrobus personnel and District of Columbia fire and police responded. The bus was towed for inspection. The bus sustained minor electrical and body damage and will be repaired be Metrobus maintenance crews.

Bus 2044 is an Orion VI bus, which Metro started using in 2000. Following early problems with the air valves and braking systems, Metro conducted a complete retrofit of the its Orion VI fleet in 2005 and 2006. As a result of the recent incidents, the manufacturer has returned to Metro and is in the process of inspecting each bus and making necessary upgrades, where required. The retrofits on all 100 buses should be completed by Friday.

The recent problem was discovered during a brief cold snap in late December when Metrobus operators reported several cases of dragging brakes (brakes not releasing properly). Since that time, Metrobus mechanics have been working with the manufacturer of the braking and air valve systems to retrofit the 100 Orion VI buses. In the past week, Metrobus has reported two Orion VI fires.

As all 100 of the Orion VI buses return to the Metrobus garages today, they will undergo a thorough inspection to ensure that all systems are in good order and safe to operate. If any buses in the fleet have a problem, they will not be put into service.

Metrobus mechanics also are in the process of installing a monitoring device on the Orion VI buses which would identify problems and alert the bus operator ahead of time in order to prevent fires or other problems in the future.

News release issued at 12:00 am, January 31, 2007.