New Metro Trains Could Be Hacked By Foreign Government: Officials

WASHINGTON, DC -- D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and House representatives in the D.C. area sent a letter to Metro earlier this week warning that the new rail cars they are buying could be hacked by a foreign government, according to a report.

DCist reports that Norton was joined by Reps. Gerald Connolly (Va.), Jamie Raskin (Md.), David Trone (Md.), and Anthony Browne (Md.), and the letter was sent to Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld.

They are concerned that during the procurement process for the 8000-series railcar, Metro is not taking steps to prevent cyber risks to the cars -- especially with Metro wanting a train that uses technologies like automatic train control and video surveillance. And because there is no requirement the cars be American-made, it's possible a foreign government could compromise the integrity of the trains, they argue.

One of the top bidders for the contract is Chinese Railway Rolling Stock Corps, which is a company located in an adversary country.

Metro plans to acquire hundreds of these new trains by 2024.

Metro announced in September that it had issued a request for proposals for the design and construction of the 8000-series cars. Metro plans to acquire at least 256 of the cars to replace aging 2000- and 3000-series cars. The agency could purchase up to 800 cars at the high end.

"With the 8000-series procurement, Metro is seeking to build on the success of its 7000-series cars, which today account for more than half of all trains in service and include popular features such as digital information screens, automated announcements, 'smart doors' that individually respond to an obstruction, high-definition security cameras, more space between seats, wider aisles, and non-slip flooring rather than carpet," reads a Metro statement. "The 7000-series cars currently travel an average of 156,000 miles before experiencing a delay due to a mechanical issue - more than double the reliability of Metro's legacy fleet. (All 1000-, 4000-, and most 5000-series cars have already been retired from service, improving both safety and reliability.)"

The new cars will have the following features, according to WMATA:

• New digital advertising screens to generate revenue and reduce labor costs associated with manually changing ads
• Support for remote PA announcements from the Rail Operations Control Center, in addition to automated and train-operator announcements
• Dynamic digital system maps, rather than today's paper maps
• 110v power outlets for charging electronic devices
• Additional hand holds Improvements to lighting, floor markings and signage for ADA space