D.C. Metro to install new train ID numbers
New reflective and taller numbers atop the fleet of rail cars make it easier for customers, first responders and Metro staff to identify a rail car immediately in an emergency or other incident on Metrorail.

[IMAGE]DCMETRO-trains-Large-numberFULL.jpg[/IMAGE] To enhance rail passenger safety by making it easier for customers, first responders and operations personnel to identify a rail car, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is installing new train identification numbers atop all of its 1,130 rail cars.
The retrofit, which began last fall, removes the 2¼-inch, non-reflective exterior car numbers below the operator’s window and installs new, reflective five-inch numbers atop the end of each rail car. The program also features the installation of new, interior rail car door leaf numbers, making it easier to identify a rail car door number if there is an issue with a door.
The new reflective and taller numbers atop the fleet of rail cars make it easier for customers, first responders and Metro staff to identify a rail car immediately in an emergency or other incident on Metrorail.
Metro officials expect to have the entire fleet retrofitted with the new identification numbers by this summer.
The retrofit program costs $162,000, which includes material, labor, installation, and the design for the exterior rail car and interior door leaf numbers.
More Rail

New York MTA Launches Historic $1.9B Signal, Track Modernization Project
Funded in part by congestion pricing revenue, the project will replace nearly century-old signals along the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens.
Read More →
LA Metro Breaks Ground on East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project
The 6.7-mile line will add 11 stations along Van Nuys Boulevard, expand access to jobs and regional transit connections, and support Metro’s broader efforts to improve mobility as rail ridership grows.
Read More →
CSA Group Releases Climate Resilience Standard for Transit, Passenger Rail
Developed with support from the Standards Council of Canada, CSA D700 guides assessing climate-related risks and planning adaptation measures for transit and passenger rail systems.
Read More →
LA Metro September Ridership Climbs 3.9%, Led by Rail Growth
The agency recorded more than 27.2 million boardings, with rail ridership increasing 12.4% year over year and the D Line posting the largest gains.
Read More →
First Full MetroLink Rail Expansion Completed in 20 Years with $192M Airport Project
The project links two St. Louis-area airports by light rail while adding roadway and bike trail connections to improve regional access and mobility.
Read More →
Utilimarc Launches SmartReplace to Optimize Fleet Replacement Decisions
AI-powered SmartReplace helps fleets prioritize vehicle replacements, model budget scenarios, and build more defensible long-term strategies.
Read More →
Scenes from APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026
Transit leaders, manufacturers, and industry professionals gathered in Chicago to explore new technologies, share ideas, and discuss the future of public transportation.
Read More →
USDOT Awards $416 Million for Florida Rail Crossing Safety Upgrades, New Brightline Station
The projects aim to reduce risks for motorists and pedestrians at rail crossings while expanding passenger rail access along Florida’s Space Coast.
Read More →
OCTA Declares Emergency to Protect Rail Corridor From Coastal Erosion
The California agency is accelerating shoreline protection and plans to place approximately 690,000 cubic yards of sand along the San Clemente coast to protect a key passenger and freight rail link.
Read More →
More Than a Summer Job: Building the Next Generation of Transit Talent
The Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO have transformed their internship program into a hands-on professional development experience that introduces students to the breadth of transportation careers — and creates a pipeline for future employees.
Read More →