Feds appoint safety experts to Metro board (Washington DC)

The Hill ^ | 04/28/16 | Melanie Zanona

[deks]

The Department of Transportation is appointing three new members to the board that oversees Washington’s Metrorail system to improve safety at the beleaguered transit agency.

The announcement on Thursday comes amid heavy frustration with Metro’s continued safety problems and rail disruptions, including an unprecedented shutdown of the entire system for emergency inspections last month.

“Building a safety culture is not easy and requires relentless focus at every level,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a statement. “These three new Federal members will build on our promise to bring a laser-like focus on making the transit system of our nation’s capital as safe as possible. “No more excuses,” he added.

Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) is pushing a bill in the House that would require the next three federal appointments to Metro’s board to be either a certified transit, management, financial or safety expert.

[deks]

It has been reported that the Metro management failed to implement safety recommendations. Some may wonder if positions on the board were given as political payback. So, this looks like a step in the right direction for a safer metro.

[eyeamok]

There is only 1 step necessary to guarantee Public Safety on Mass Transit:

Require ALL Public Employees to use Public Transportation to and from their respective workplace. Yes CONGRESSMAN and SENATORS and JUDGES are PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

[fella]

If they would hire less entitled Ratchettes and GivMdats they could improve safety PDQ.