Train Collision Spurs Major Delays For DC Metro Riders

WASHINGTON, DC — The work week had a chaotic start on the DC Metro system after two train cars collided overnight into Monday.

According to Metro, the rear-end collision of two trains happened between the Foggy Bottom and Farragut West stations around 12:54 a.m. There were no passengers inside, and the train operators sought medical attention for non-life-threatening injuries.

Metro says railcars did not derail. There was no immediate report of damages to tunnel infrastructure, while a damage assessment for the railcars is pending. The trains were each made up of six 3000-series cars.

The incident will result in significant delays for all of Monday due to the investigation at the crash scene, Metro says. Silver Line trains are only running between Wiehle-Reston East and Ballston every 15 minutes. The Blue and Orange Lines are operating every 15 minutes with single tracking between Farragut West and McPherson Square.

Metro expects significant crowding on the Orange and Blue lines during rush hour. The transit system asks riders using these three lines to consider alternate transportation on Monday.

Ballston, which is the transfer point for riders coming from the Silver Line, saw long queues of riders waiting to get on trains.

Crowding extended to other stations on the Blue, Orange and Silver Lines.

Metro is looking into the cause of the train collision. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified.