The Politics Hour: Metro General Manager Randy Clarke on automated trains and increasing ridership

The Politics Hour with Kojo Nnamdi

Metro announced a return to automated trains as soon as this coming weekend, a move that will save millions. Metro General Manager Randy Clarke sat down with Kojo and Tom to discuss why the time is now to return to automation 15 years after a deadly Red Line crash ended the practice.

Clarke explained even with automated trains, an operator remains at the controls, watching the track and managing the doors. He likened the system to cruise control on a car.

"It’s helping to reduce some human error with a good information technology solution. Gets us back to a more safer, reliable system. At the same time, it becomes cost efficient so everyone’s trip is faster as well," Clarke said.

He said automation will save the system about seven million dollars, which they will use to extend weekend service.

They also discussed his proposed budget which was released this week and Metro's efforts to curb bus fare evasion. WMATA is using plainclothes and uniformed officers as well as video monitoring and special police to issue citations.

More than 70% of bus riders are skipping the fare, which Clarke said is “unacceptable.” Metro has given out more than 500 citations during the first two weeks of stepped up enforcement, according to the system's general manager. They also talked about what a return-to-office mandate for federal workers could mean for Metro.

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