Federal Agency Criticizes DC Metro for 'Poor Safety Culture' Leading to 2021 Derailment

Dispute arises over $55 million repair costs between WMATA and train car manufacturer Kawasaki

Federal transportation safety official criticizes Washington’s regional transit agency for a 'poor safety culture' that led to a 2021 derailment.
The Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority had been aware for years of a safety issue that caused the wheels on the new 7000-series Metro cars to expand wider than the tracks.
The derailment led to hundreds of new Metro railcars being pulled from service.
Former WMATA general manager Paul Wiedefeld left two months early amid revelations that half of WMATA’s train operators had lacked retraining and testing required for recertification.
A dispute arises over who will pay for the repairs — WMATA or the cars’ manufacturer Kawasaki, with the transit authority estimating the cost of repairs at $55 million.