Metro Fires Train Operator Who Ran Red Signal

The Blue Line train operator who ran a red signal at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last week has been fired, Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld announced Tuesday.

The train was traveling outbound at the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station on July 27 when the operator overran the red signal and stopped two cars pass the platform. 

The safety department determined the incident was caused by operator error, Wiedefeld said.

"For reasons related to the individual's personnel history, the operator's employment has been terminated," Wiedefeld said in a statement. 

This is the ninth time a train has overrun a red signal this year.

No injuries or damage were reported. 

The investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Earlier this month, Metro fired a Metrorail operator who ran a red light signal near the Glenmont station and took passengers into the path of an oncoming train.

The operator of a Red Line train overran a red signal while there was another train on the same path and two workers were inspecting the tracks.

Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld called the July 5 incident a "near miss" that showed a "blatant disregard for safety." 

The transit agency also later admitted that three passengers from that Red Line train were evacuated before the high-voltage third rail had been turned off.

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