Metro Silver Line Service Restored After Collision
Work vehicle collides with Silver Line train at Metro Center, injuring 11 passengers
Metro Work Vehicle Hits Silver Line Train
Eleven people suffered minor injuries when a work vehicle struck a Silver Line train at Metro Center Station in Washington D.C. shortly after midnight Wednesday, transit officials said. The collision occurred just before the end of service when the work vehicle hit the rear car of a train holding at the station with 27 riders on board. All injured passengers walked out of the station without assistance, and Metro personnel weren't seriously injured.
Context
The incident happened during late-night hours when Metro typically conducts maintenance work on its rail system. Work vehicles operate on the same tracks as passenger trains during these periods to perform repairs and inspections. Metro Manager Randy Clarke confirmed the collision wasn't terrorism-related and caused no infrastructure damage to the station or tracks. The NTSB is leading the investigation into how the work vehicle came into contact with the passenger train.
Service Impact
The collision caused significant disruptions throughout Wednesday, with trains single-tracking through the Metro Center area and Silver Line trains running only a limited portion of their route. Passengers who weren't injured were transferred to another train and continued toward Downtown Largo. Service returned to normal after 5:00 PM Wednesday evening, officials said. Metro Center serves as a major transfer point connecting the Red, Orange, Silver, and Blue lines in downtown Washington.
Investigation Timeline
The National Transportation Safety Board will release a preliminary report within 30 days of the April 22 incident. Federal investigators are examining how the work vehicle struck the stationary train and what safety protocols were in place at the time. The NTSB typically investigates significant transit incidents to determine causes and recommend safety improvements. Officials haven't said whether any Metro employees have been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation's outcome.
Rider Information
Metro riders should expect normal service on all lines following the restoration of full operations Wednesday evening. The incident highlights the complexity of maintaining transit systems while keeping them operational for riders. Passengers can stay informed about any future service changes or delays through real-time updates. Moovit provides current information for Metro's rail and bus network throughout the Washington D.C. area.
