D.C. Metro Considering Privatization of Operations and Maintenance on New Silver Line

"A proposal to outsource operations of the Silver Line took a significant step Monday, when Metro officials issued a formal 'request for information' from potential contractors who might be interested in the job," reports Martine Powers.

The second phase of the Silver Line is under construction and expected to open by 2020, opening 23 miles of track beyond Duller Airport to Loudoun County, Virginia. The privatization plan is designed to "save money by relying more on outside contractors."

According to Powers, the idea has been slow in developing toward fruition, but "the formal 'request for information' could give Metro administrators a better a sense of whether the idea is feasible, how much interest there is from contractors and what a potential contract could look like."