Secretary of Transportation Considered Shutting Down Metro Last Week

Steve Burns, Bridget Reed Morawski

WASHINGTON (WMAL) — Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx told reporters today that he considered shutting down Metro last week following a video that raised further safety concerns.

The video surfaced last week, and shows a third rail fireball at Federal Center Southwest.

Foxx said that he hasn’t ruled out the option, and could shut down Metro in the future if safety directives still aren’t being followed.

Underscoring Foxx’s comments, all 650 Metro managers were convened today to ensure that each supervisor was on the same page regarding safety standards.

Flyers were handed out to managers at the meeting, with a big headline announcing that “safety trumps service.” The meeting made clear that the excuses of the past would no longer fly.

WMATA General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said that a supervisor shake up may be in order if safety standards aren’t upheld.

“I’ve laid out very specifically the types of things I’m expecting,” “If they can manage that level, then fine. It they can’t, then [the job is] probably just not a good fit.”