Metro has added these chain link barriers to its 7000-series trains

Martin DiCaro / WAMU

When Metro’s newest trains started announcing, “This is a 7000-series train” last July, many were puzzled.

Why did these new trains feel the need to make their presence known at every station?

These announcements had a purpose—they were launched for a community of visually impaired riders. At least three people had fallen through the old rubber barriers between the cars and onto the tracks, according to WMATA’s accessibility committee. The Federal Transit Agency said the situation was too dangerous, and demanded Metro fix the issue.

A year later, the transit agency has replaced those barriers with chains to better protect passengers with sight impairment. Metro said it could not meet the original Dec. 31, 2018 deadline because of supply issues. The FTA amended that deadline to May 2019.

Now that the issue has been addressed, the announcements will be phased out, Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said at Thursday’s board meeting, though he didn’t provide an exact timetable.

The announcements went like this: “This is a 7000-series train. Doors opening. Step back to allow customers to enter. When boarding, please move to the center of the car. This is a Red Line train to Glenmont. The next stop is Union Station.” Then the door chimes and closes.

They’ve become part of the sonic fabric of the Metro over the past year and spawned a series of jokes.

The next time you hear the announcement, savor it—it may be the last time.

This story has been updated to correct the deadline for the project’s completion. It was extended. 

Filed Under: 7000-series, metro,