Metro’s next series of railcars could be delayed

The next series of Metro railcars will modernize the transit agency’s fleet, but delivery of those trains could be delayed.

The 8000 series is supposed to be in service in 2028, but Metro signaled it is not happy with the way the timeline stands right now.

Metro General Manager Randy Clarke spoke frankly with News4 about what he wants to see from the manufacturer, Hitachi Rail.

“They’re definitely a little bit behind,” he said. “They need to continue to put more resources to bear on this project to bring in the schedule.”

Supply chain issues have played a role, and during a recent Metro board meeting, Metro also listed these concerns with Hitachi performance: inadequate engineering resources, an impractical schedule and suboptimal supplier coordination.

“We are continuing to work with them and make sure that the product we’re gonna get that’s gonna be here for decades works,” Clarke said.

The 8000 series could be a total of about 250 railcars worth more than $2 billion and would completely modernize the Metro fleet. The cars will have more seating against the wall, more room, lots of technology and an open walkway system between cars so riders can move around.

A new manufacturing plant was just built in Hagerstown, where the railcars will be assembled.

“We want them to be successful; we want the Hitachi factory in Hagerstown to be successful,” Clarke said. “And we’re putting a little pressure on them to make sure that they can pull in this schedule.”

“But I will tell you, all the way from the CEO down, they’ve been engaged in this process,” he said. “So, they want to deliver, and we want them.”

The first test train of the 8000 series was expected to be on the tracks this year.

News4 reached out to Hitachi Rail but has not heard back.