Van Hollen Calls for Free Bus Service, Unscheduled Leave or Telework Option for Federal Employees Due to Metro Shutdown

Statement

Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement after the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced a complete shutdown of the Metrorail system on Wednesday, March 16 for emergency safety inspections:

"The shutdown of the Metrorail system for an entire day in the middle of the work week is an astonishing admission that safety has not been the priority it needs to be at WMATA. In light of the massive inconvenience this shutdown will cause my constituents and everyone who commutes in the DMV region, OPM should grant federal workers unscheduled leave or the option to telework tomorrow, and WMATA should offer bus service free of charge, system wide."

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