Metro Fires Employees After July Derailment Investigation

Barbara Britt
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) Metro is taking disciplinary action against nearly half of its track inspection staff following the probe into the July 29 derailment on the Silver line outside East Falls Church Metro station.

Of the 28 Metro employees facing disciplinary action, six have been fired outright, including four track inspectors.

Another six are facing suspensions or termination.

Other Metro employees in management have been demoted.

The National Transportation Safety Board investigation found that Metro knew of the potential dangerous track conditions more than a year before the July derailment.

Metro General Manager Paul Weidefeld said that the NTSB report reveals a “disturbing level of indifference, lack of accountability, and flagrant misconduct.”