The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) welcomed the first of its new 7000-series railcars Jan. 6 at Greenbelt Station. The new cars from Kawasaki will undergo testing over the next several months before full-scale production begins later this year. The 528-vehicle order includes 300 cars that will replace the oldest cars in the fleet, the 1000-series, and additional cars to accommodate ridership growth anticipated when the Silver Line enters service. WMATA incorporated customer comments into specifications for the 7000-series cars, such as seat design and material, flooring material and colors, interior layout, and accessibility elements. Participants in the tour of the railcar included Sens. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Ben Cardin (D-MD); Reps. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Donna Edwards (D-MD), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC); Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley; and FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff.