Mikulski Introduces Bill to Establish Strong Federal Safety Standards for Metro

Press Release

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) has re-introduced the National Metro Safety Act to establish strong federal standards for Metro systems nationwide. Senator Mikulski first introduced the bill 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. U.S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.) are original cosponsors of the bill.

Rail transit has 14 million daily riders but is the only mode of transportation without federal safety standards, oversight and enforcement.

"This is America's subway. America needs it to go to work. We need Metro to be safe and reliable," Senator Mikulski said. "On Monday June, 22, 2009, the unthinkable happened right here in our Nation's capital. Approximately one year later, the NTSB released its report from its investigation of the crash. It found that the Metro crash could have been prevented and nine lives could have been saved. We owe it to the people who ride Metro and who work at Metro to pass this legislation."

"The National Transportation Safety Board has provided a pathway forward on improving public transit safety. Congress must now take action. I am committed, along with my colleagues to pass comprehensive transit reform to ensure that Metro and all public transit systems across the country meet the safety recommendations of the NTSB," said Senator Cardin. "I will continue to support Metro as it seeks the needed financial resources to replace faulty signals, crumbling infrastructure and old unsafe rail cars, but safety must be the highest priority."

"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."

"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."

Senator Mikulski's bill 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.

Senator Cardin led the Senate efforts in 2008 to authorize $1.5 billion in federal funding over the next decade, which is matched dollar-for-dollar by local jurisdictions.

Senator Mikulski is leading the delegations' effort to provide $150 million in fiscal year 2011 continuing resolution. At the delegation's request, Senator Murray put this money in the Senate's long-term continuing resolution. However, the House Republicans cut the funding in their version of the continuing resolution.

The $150 million in federal funding is really $300 million for Metro with the local matching funds included. Metro needs that money to implement the NTSB's safety recommendations.

"Congress must do two things. First, it must meet its federal funding obligation for Metro," Senator Mikulski said. "Second, Congress must pass this legislation."

"For 30 years, Metro has proven its value to our region and the federal government. It is part of the transportation backbone of our Nation's capital. But Metro has been stretched beyond its current capabilities and the federal government, one of the system's main users, until recently has not been paying its fair share," said Senator Cardin. "We must keep our commitment to providing Metro with a crucial, dedicated funding source that will allow the second‐busiest public rail system in the country to function in the safest and most efficient manner possible."