Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Train operator stops train on busy platform and goes home, says his shift has ended

The supervisor had to move the train for him

Rachael Revesz
New York
Wednesday 26 October 2016 08:26 EDT
Comments
The driver walked off, leaving his supervisor to finish the job (Getty stock photo)
The driver walked off, leaving his supervisor to finish the job (Getty stock photo) (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A train driver will be disciplined after he stopped his train on a busy platform and refused to move it, claiming his shift had finished and went home.

The empty train was parked at Fort Totten station in Washington DC on Sunday evening.

Eyewitnesses told NBC that two Metro employees spent as much as 10 minutes discussing who would operate the train.

Meanwhile passengers waited for other trains on the platform, which could not move in while the empty train was lodged at the station.

It was supposed to continue to Greenbelt station about six miles away.

"The train operator who was to operate the train from Fort Totten to Greenbelt refused to do so, claiming he was off duty.

"So, his supervisor, who was on the platform, ultimately operated the train,” Metro chief spokesperson Dan Stessel said in a statement.

"Appropriate action will be taken with regard to the operator."

Metro officials said the train was never abandoned and there was no impact to the service.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in