No Word Yet On What Caused Metro Derailment; Some Service Still Suspended

Metro says that they’ve resolved the issue and trains are no longer single-tracking.

A power outage earlier in the day caused problems for riders between Ballston and W. Falls Church stations.

In the aftermath of a week riddled with delays, Metro announced Friday it is offering a SmarTrip credit to all riders who used a SmarTrip card to travel on the Blue, Orange or Silver lines on Friday.

Metro says that Silver Line trains will operate between Wiehle-Reston East and East Falls Church only, in order to reduce congestion downtown. That was followed by single tracking through the afternoon and evening, resulting in evening rush delays.

The stations didn’t open back up again until Thursday night around 8 p.m.

Metro officials encouraged commuters to ride Metrobus shuttles as an alternative to those three lines until further notice.

Metro is sending buses between the affected stations; it also advises riders that they can transfer from the Blue and Orange lines to the Red Line by exiting at Farragut West and walking to Farragut North. Metro says riders won’t be charged for the re-entry.

In July, Requa testified before Congress over safety concerns after a fatal incident in January near the L’Enfant Plaza left one woman dead.

The authority said the cause of the derailment is under investigation.