Metro Escalator Chief Taking Over Track Engineering Unit

Rodrigo Bitar, Metro’s first general superintendent for elevator and escalator programs, is taking over the agency’s track and engineering services unit, according to The Washington Post.

Bitar joined Metro’s quality assurance group in 2008 and worked on the 2000, 3000 and 5000 series railcars, which the Post reports experienced problems with brake pads falling off of them.

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The Delphi Automotive and General Motors veteran was promoted to the escalator post in December 2010, shortly after an incident that injured four passengers when an escalator at L’Enfant Plaza Station sped up to dangerous levels, according to The Post.

Metrorail has a total of 588 escalators—more than any transit system in North America. As of July 2011, more than 100 of those escalators were out on a typical day, according to The New York Times. The malfunctions were blamed on multiple causes, including older equipment, a dearth of parts and stations designed with long escalators exposed to both winter conditions and the region’s painful humidity during the summer. 

New escalators at Foggy Bottom and Dupont Circle station have also experienced mechanical problems.

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As of Wednesday, 45 of Metro’s escalators were not operating due to scheduled maintenance or unexpected outages.

With the cherry blossoms peaking and middle schoolers from around the country flocking transit for their requisite field trips, it’s high tourism season in the region and Metro has suspended track work system-wide to ensure seamless rides for visitors.

As assistant general manager for the agency’s transit infrastructure and engineering services division, Bitar will help oversee 4,800 employees.

Bitar is replacing Rob Troup, who recently was promoted to the agency’s deputy general manager of operations—Metro’s No. 2 post.