Metrorail Doors Open on Moving Train Loaded with Passengers

(Washington, DC) — About two-thirds of Metro train delays involve trouble with doors. In fact, as reported in a previous issue of FLATLINE [Metro's Adoring Detractors Cite Door Delay Issues], door problems were the leading cause of Metro weekday delays last year. But it is rarity to have the doors actually open on a moving, occupied car.

That's what happened on May 15 on a Red Line train between stations and bound for Shady Grove. Doors on two Metrorail cars opened without warning on the 1000-series cars. The much-maligned 1000-series trains, which are Metro's oldest cars and have been slated for removal from service for years, were involved in the murder of eight civilians and one Metro employee on June 22, 2009.

A Metro official said no injuries were reported. "It was an unfortunate incident, but no one on the train surviving to the next station's platform was injured," said a Metro spokesman, speaking on condition of anonymity.