Engine cutoff problem causes Metro to remove 164 buses from service

WASHINGTON - Metro said it will be removing about 10 percent of its bus fleet from service after the engines of two buses cut off unexpectedly in separate incidents over the past week.

The transit agency said it will conduct safety checks for the 164 buses taken out of service. This comes after a bus traveling less than 10 miles per hour had its engine cut off with no warning. Another similar incident took place last Thursday.

Two people suffered minor injuries due to the sudden braking of the buses, Metro said.

All 164 buses are 40-foot compressed natural gas models that were manufactured by a company called New Flyer in 2015 and 2016. The company is sending a team to investigate the engine problem and this fleet of buses will remain out of commission until the cause of the problem is figured out.

"We are taking this action, putting safety first, until we fully understand what caused these engines to cut off unexpectedly," said Metro Chief Safety Officer Pat Lavin. "While we understand there may be some customer inconvenience as a result of this action, safety must trump service."

Metro will deploy 80 reserve buses to help offset the buses being taken out of service. There may slightly longer wait times between buses for passengers, officials said.