Senators Webb, Warner Cosponsor Bill to Establish Strong Federal Safety Standards for Metro
Press Release
Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner (D-VA) joined lead sponsor Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-MD) in reintroducing the National Metro Safety Act today to establish strong federal standards for Metro systems nationwide. The bill was originally introduced a month after the 2009 Metro crash near the Fort Totten station -- the deadliest crash in the history of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) rail system. Rail transit, which carries 14 million daily riders, is the only mode of transportation without federal safety standards, oversight and enforcement.
"We should renew our commitment to strengthening Metro's management practices, safety procedures, and funding levels," Senator Webb said. "I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to increase both funding and oversight of Metro, so that our region's commuters have access to reliable public transportation for years to come."
"The tragic events of June 2009 made it all too clear that WMATA and transit systems nationwide need to focus on making safety a priority," said Senator Warner. "A safe, well-run Metro system is crucial to this region's economy and our federal workforce. This legislation will help ensure that transit systems are taking those necessary steps."
National Metro Safety Act will direct the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), to develop safety standards for all Metro systems. The NTSB recommended the U.S. DOT seek the authority to establish safety standards in its report on the crash.
The NTSB has already identified several areas that could ensure better safety and oversight, including: minimum crashworthiness standards, improved evacuation and rescue features on rail transit cars, requiring data recorders on Metro trains and hour-of-service limits to ensure Metro conductors are getting enough sleep between shifts. This bill would require the DOT to implement those changes.
Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Patty Murray (D-WA) were also original cosponsors of the bill.
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