Metrorail limits service after pulling 60% of fleet for derailment investigation

Alejandro Alvarez | aalvarez@wtop.com
Ivy Lyons | ilyons@wtop.com

October 18, 2021, 5:45 AM

Significant delays are in store for Monday commuters with Metrorail pulling more than half of its rail fleet out of service as it continues to investigate last week’s Blue Line derailment.

The Washington Metro said late Sunday that its 7000-series rail cars — constituting roughly 60% of the rapid transit system’s entire fleet — would be held from service effective Monday opening, leaving only 40 trains for commuters across all six lines.

Trains will run every 30 minutes and be limited to six cars each of Metro’s older models. Riders can expect long wait times and crowding during peak hours, and should seek alternatives to Metrorail including buses if possible.

Anticipating a difficult commute, D.C. Public Schools said late student arrivals on Monday will be marked as excused.

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