Metro has purchased 26 new mobile emergency response vehicles. Image courtesy WMATA.

WMATA has purchased 26 new light-weight, battery operated carts to help ferry first responders to subway accidents and evacuate passengers from danger. The transit agency unveiled the vehicles on Wednesday.

The mobile emergency response vehicles (MERVs) move along the rail tracks, are powered by an electric motor and can be assembled quickly by emergency crews. Their big advantage is speed: Metro says the firefighters can travel a 10 mph, turning a 45 minute walk loaded with emergency gear into a relatively quick 4 minute ride.

Currently WMATA has four MERVs; an additional 22 units will be eventually be stored at strategic points along Metrorail tracks. WMATA was able to purchase the MERVs through a Department of Homeland Security grant worth $860,000.

Prior to the motorized MERVs, first responders would either have to walk to accident scenes or manually push carts to a rescue scene.