Notes: Metro and oversight commission engage in chaotic battle over safety measures

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🚨 You need to know

Metro announced on Monday that Blue, Orange and Silver line trains would be running every 25 minutes, then WMATA walked that back a few hours later to say trains would continue arriving every 15 minutes.

The crux of the issue is a rift between the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) and WMATA.

Metro had planned to put more 7000-series trains into service and roll back inspections of trains from every four days to every seven days, DCist reported, which drew the ire of the WMSC. The WMSC later put a stay on their own safety directive until Jan. 24.

The back and forth between WMSC and WMATA had been tense this month, with the safety commission releasing a scathing report showing that some WMATA train operators are unqualified for the job and alleging that Metro was ignoring its own train operator training and certification.

The WMSC has granted Metrorail a stay until January 24, 2023 of our directive requiring Metrorail to provide a list of train operators Metrorail certified despite not meeting Metrorail’s safety training requirements.

— Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (@MetrorailSafety) January 16, 2023

This is ridiculous.

There is a lot of blame to go around, but I do not understand why the interests of transit riders are considered last.

We don’t do that with ANY other (far more dangerous) mode of transportation.

We must do better. https://t.co/D6p3kvsegq

— Justin Wilson (@justindotnet) January 16, 2023

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🐦 Tweets of note

Coffee with a Cop was a great success, great hearing ideas, and feedback from the community. Hopefully, see you at the next event. @AlexVASheriff pic.twitter.com/gvnxvkugrK

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) January 17, 2023

Wonderful holiday serving my city and celebrating Dr. King. Enjoyed serving w/neighbors in ALX cleaning up Four Mile Run, and then celebrating with our city the 50th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Program. Let’s honor Dr. King’s #service and make #MLKDay every day. pic.twitter.com/CkrWm3Nw1c

— Michelle J. Millben (@mjmesq) January 17, 2023

Do you know that when rabbits are comfortable, they perform an action known as loafing, laying flat on the ground with their hind legs sticking out behind them. Lunar and Thumper are obviously very comfortable in their #AwesomeFoster homes, loafing to their hearts' content. pic.twitter.com/cgRz805SzN

— AWLA Alexandria (@AlexAnimals) January 17, 2023

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