Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 25, 2005

Transit panel grades Metro

An American Public Transportation Association (APTA) peer review panel released its recommendations to improve Metrorail operations today to Metro’s Customer Service, Operations and Safety Committee.

The panel, comprised of representatives from six major transit systems, made several suggestions, some of which Metro already is in the process of initiating. The recommendations include:

  • Running fewer but longer (eight-car) trains, which could speed up the movement of trains throughout the system;
  • Redesigning the interior of rail cars and/or adding decals to encourage smoother and faster boarding of passengers, and surveying passengers and employees about the changes;
  • Creating line supervisors to encourage a feeling of ownership and responsibility of each line;
  • Improving training for track inspectors and line supervisors;
  • Strengthening the hiring requirements for train operators and station managers;
  • Removing trains with mechanical problems from service immediately as opposed to trying to repair them at the site.
Panel member and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager Michael Mulhern noted Metro has an aging infrastructure at a time of both record ridership and a lack of funding to pay for improvements. Still, Mulhern called Metro the "best running" transit system in the country.

"It validates a number of steps and actions that we’re taking, but also gives us suggestions at the right time during our reorganization of management and priorities," Richard A. White, General Manager and CEO.

Metro is reviewing the panel’s report. Mr. White has already initiated a reorganization of rail operations, which includes creating line supervisors, more training, track inspections and improved hiring processes. The agency also is considering redesigning rail cars to improve passenger flow and carry more people. The Board’s Planning and Development Committee is scheduled to revisit the proposals March 3.

The APTA panel was comprised of six top officers from transit systems in London, Toronto, New York, Boston, Atlanta and Philadelphia.

News release issued on February 25, 2005.