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Metro Board Calls Failure To Fix Bad Track 'Unacceptable'

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Metro's board of directors says the failure to repair a track problem that led to a derailment represents "a breakdown of the organization's chain of command" and "an unforgivable breach of safety."

Metro's general manager announced on Wednesday that the track problem was discovered in July and should have been fixed right away, but wasn't. A train with no passengers on board derailed in downtown Washington last week, snarling the morning commute.

The board's safety committee chairman, Michael Goldman, said in a statement Thursday that general manager Jack Requa has 10 days to complete an investigation into why the problem wasn't fixed. Speaking for the entire board, Goldman also praised Requa for his "transparent release of information" and efforts to hold people accountable.

(Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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