Metro listens

What would you like to see on the new metro rail cars?

As metro moves to replace its very old 1000 series trains with the new 7000 series, they are turning to metro riders to get their opinion.

During the next 18 months, WMATA will be asking riders for their input on a range of design decisions, such as wall and floor covering materials, signage displays and locations, lighting and handheld bar styles. 

They will also be asking train operators for their input on the operator's cab and will be looking to the engineers for input to keep the trains running (please listen to the engineers!).

“The whole approach is customer-driven to ensure that the new cars are a reflection of what our customers want, and also to project a forward-looking transit car fitting for our nation’s capital,” said Metro General Manager Richard Sarles. “We will build on the information that we gathered previously for the train car specification, and test concepts, learn about amenity preferences and validate our work throughout the entire design process until we begin manufacturing the cars.”

An industrial transportation designer will still be retained to provide design assistance and serve as the agency’s advocate with Kawasaki, the train car manufacturer.