Control center audit finds staffing, training and procedural gaps; 9 findings, 3 recommendations issued

A Washington Metrorail Safety Commission audit released Aug. 27, 2025, of MetroRail’s control center and rail operations identified nine findings and three recommendations, WMSC staff told commissioners at the Sept. 16 public meeting.

The audit documented operational improvements — for example, new control center equipment and recorded ambient audio at consoles — but found persistent shortfalls in staffing, training, procedural compliance and documentation. John O'Donnell, who presented the audit, emphasized that while MetroRail has made improvements tied to earlier WMSC corrective action plans, more work is required to sustain staffing and training gains.

Key findings

- Staffing shortfall and turnover: The audit found that MetroRail has not maintained the rail traffic controller staffing level its own assessments identified as the minimum (61). Staffing has varied;…