Concerns rise regarding safety incidents involving Metrorail's doors, sparking worries among the safety commission.
In the realm of public transportation, safety remains a top priority. This is no different for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro), as they grapple with a recent increase in improper door dash events on their Metrorail system.
As of September 1, 2025, there have been 27 instances of improper door dash events, more than double the number reported by the same date in 2024. These events, which represent 0.000002% of the 13 million door operations performed annually by Metro, present a serious safety risk.
The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) has reported this rise, with incidents such as doors opening on unsafe parts of the train at stations like Bethesda, Rockville, and Franconia-Springfield. These events could potentially result in passengers falling out and coming into contact with the third rail, causing electrocution.
However, it's important to note that these incidents are primarily caused by human error when operators manually open doors, not by the Automatic Door Operation system used by Metro. This system, which was relaunched last year and is the global standard in transit, is designed to prevent incorrect door dash openings and significantly improve safety.
Metro is taking proactive steps to address this issue. They have resumed using Automatic Door Operation on all lines, and rail traffic controllers now make hourly announcements reminding operators to use this system and follow the "point-and-call" procedure in manual opening situations.
Moreover, Metro has taken several other steps to try to reduce the number of "improper door operations." These measures include refresher training for employees involved in incidents and reminders for train operators to use Automatic Door Operations.
The authority is also committed to continuous safety improvement across its operations. They acknowledge that while progress has been made, there is always room for improvement. As such, they continue to work diligently to ensure the safety and well-being of their passengers.
Despite the rise in improper door dash events, it's crucial to remember that Metrorail remains a reliable and safe mode of transportation for millions of people in the Washington, D.C. area. By staying vigilant and committed to safety, Metro aims to further improve its operations and provide a safe and efficient service for all.
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