Hearing Hearing Date: December 2, 2016 9:00 am 2154 Rayburn HOB

A Safe Track?: Oversight of WMATA’s Safety and Maintenance

PURPOSE:

To examine Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) progress in bringing the rail system to a state of good repair through the SafeTrack program.
To examine maintenance and safety related issues that have occurred since the program’s inception.

BACKGROUND:

In May 2016, WMATA announced the SafeTrack program would condense three years of maintenance into a single year.
SafeTrack involves 15 safety surges, where reducing service and shutting down stations on long stretches of rail provide increased windows for maintenance.
A Federal Transit Administration review found 130 defects during the first three safety surges.
These subcommittees held a hearing on Metrorail service in April 2016.

Witnesses and testimonies: Mr. Paul Wiedefeld

General Manager
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

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The Honorable Christopher A. Hart

Chairman
National Transportation Safety Board

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Mr. Mathew Welbes

Executive Director
Federal Transit Administration

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Mr. Jack Evans

Chairman of the Board
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

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Mr. Raymond Jackson

Second Vice President
Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 689

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