The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) completed final review of its plan to return eight 7000-series trains to passenger service.

Since May 19, WMATA has been focused on training inspectors on the required safety processes, which include daily back-to-back wheel measurements using a digital gauge. The agency conducted a number of pre-operational test exercises with inspectors to ensure a smooth launch of the new process.

WMATA is actively working on Phases 2 and 3 of its return to service plan, which will require approval from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) to incorporate the use of Automated Wayside Inspection System (AWIS) Equipment as part of the inspection process.

Currently, the AWIS system is being configured and tested to eventually monitor wheel measurements on WMATA’s entire fleet.

The popular 7000-series trains will first appear on the Green and Yellow Lines. Once railcar personnel have created a steady rhythm of inspections and consistently delivered eight trains for daily service, the agency expects to use the trains to increase service on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines to every 15 minutes in July.