Wheels Coming Off the Train?

The metaphor "trainwreck" just seems a little too obvious here (photo by Lee Nichols)

All kinds of hell is coming down at Capital Metro. The feds are investigating one of Cap Metro's labor contractors. The launch of MetroRail, which had already been delayed from March 30 to "sometime next month," has now been delayed indefinitely; the celebrations planned for March 28 have been called off. And this comes about a year after its originally planned launch date.

We'll have some actual reporting on this in the print edition, but for now, the basic explanation is in this press release from Capital Metro:

Capital Metro Press Release

“Capital Metro received notification today from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) of additional alleged violations against rail contractor Veolia Transportation. This is an addition to the previous violations we learned about last Friday.

At this time, I am not satisfied with the progress Veolia has made with safety and training. Capital Metro is absolutely committed to safety. Following extensive discussions with Veolia, the FRA, TxDOT as well as Capital MetroRail staff, I have just notified our Board of Directors that I am taking the following steps:

• The MetroRail celebration event planned for Saturday, March 28 is cancelled.

• Capital Metro has called for Veolia to replace its safety director.

• Capital Metro is bringing in rail experts from Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to assist with startup operations and safety implementation. They have experience with thirteen previous rail launches.

• Capital MetroRail staff will continue testing enhancements to the signal system.

• By May 15, Capital Metro will report back to the community with the status of the project and an action plan.

Capital Metro is deeply disappointed over this delay, but under no circumstances will we jeopardize safety by rushing this process.”