A train driver will be disciplined after he stopped his train on a busy platform and refused to move it, claiming his shift had finished and went home.

The empty train was parked at Fort Totten station in Washington DC on Sunday evening.

Eyewitnesses told NBC that two Metro employees spent as much as 10 minutes discussing who would operate the train.

Meanwhile passengers waited for other trains on the platform, which could not move in while the empty train was lodged at the station.

It was supposed to continue to Greenbelt station about six miles away.

"The train operator who was to operate the train from Fort Totten to Greenbelt refused to do so, claiming he was off duty.

"So, his supervisor, who was on the platform, ultimately operated the train,” Metro chief spokesperson Dan Stessel said in a statement.

"Appropriate action will be taken with regard to the operator."