Metro has reorganized its escalator division after a series of accidents and a damning independent audit found the agency wasn’t following its own policies to keep the escalators working. The transit agency has appointed Rodrigo Bitar as a new general superintendent over the division as of Dec. 20, according to a memo obtained by The Washington Examiner. It marks the first major shake-up since an audit was released this fall on the system’s chronic escalator and elevator breakdowns.
| July 12: Stopped escalators caused a near riot at the busy Dupont Circle station when a smoking escalator closed off one station entrance, pushing crowds out the remaining exit past one barricaded escalator. |
| July: 22: A 4-year-old girl suffered a severe hand injury after falling on a moving Metro escalator at L’Enfant Plaza. |
