Metro nightmare tied to transformer failure

A blown transformer, surging power, blazing bolts and flaming insulation led to a near complete failure of the Metro system in Northern Virginia and D.C. on both Sunday and Monday nights, Metro General Manager John Catoe said Tuesday.

During a news conference at Metro headquarters, Catoe apologized to the thousands of riders stranded by mishaps on the Blue, Yellow and Green lines, and he pledged extensive fixes to shore up the system. In the short term, he said, he will ask Metro’s board to reprogram $25 million to $30 million from its capital budget for immediate repairs to tracks and power stations. In the long term, improvements will cost billions.