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WMSC audit finds gaps in Metro internal reviews; certification process overhauled
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Summary
WMSC auditors reported that Metro failed to audit some elements of its public transportation agency safety plan and recommended record-retention changes; Metro implemented corrective action plans that revamped train-operator certification and electronic tracking for roughly 245 certifications reviewed.
WMSC audit staff presented a final report on MetroRail’s internal reviews and internal safety review program and identified both positive practices and a key finding: Metro has not conducted internal safety reviews for every element of its agency safety plan.
"Finding 1 is that Metro is not conducting internal safety safety reviews for each element of its public transportation agency safety plan," said Davis Radek, summarizing the March 24 report. Auditors said communication systems and drug-and-alcohol/fitness-for-duty programs had not been audited as required by federal regulation and the WMSC program standard. Auditors recommended Metro review its record-retention policies so audit evidence remains available for three-year cycles; audit staff said some earlier records had been purged and that contributed to internal findings.
Audit staff also highlighted positive practices, including Metro’s adoption of artificial-intelligence tools in internal reviews, an independent internal-review function handled by the Department of Audit and Compliance, and development of a CAP-trends dashboard. "We encourage Metro to continue these positive practices," staff said.
Separately, corrective-action presentations described how Metro addressed a 2024 WMSC order on train-operator certification. Bruce Walker said the rail-vehicle operator certification process was comprehensively revised: task definitions, proficiency standards, corrective-action requirements, retraining/recertification criteria and quality-control procedures were added, and Metro moved from paper records to an electronic examination platform and dashboard to flag noncompliant operators. "The new certification ... features definitions for each task that must be completed and the proficiency standards for each," Walker said. WMSC staff reported reviewing roughly 245 initial or recertification records and conducting field observations; the commission will continue monitoring certification compliance as part of its oversight.
Commissioners applauded the work but cautioned that bringing the entire operating pool up to the new standard will take time and continued oversight. Auditors previewed upcoming audits including revenue vehicles and a combined automatic train control, signal and communications audit paired with the annual roadway-worker-protection audit as required by federal regulation.
