As well as equipment testing, crew training is taking place in readiness for the opening of the 3.9km line later this year.
The line will link Union Station in the west with Oklahoma Avenue in the east, and will eventually become part of the One City Line from the Anacostia River to the Georgetown waterfront. The initial section will be operated by a consortium of RATP Dev and McDonald Transit Associates under a five-year contract using a fleet of six low-floor LRVs, four of which are available for testing. The remaining two vehicles are due to begin trial operation on the route within the next few months.
The line will need to be certified by both the District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) and State Safety Oversight Agency before public services can begin.
A full description of Washington's light rail and metro plans can be found here.
