Hoyer Statement on NTSB Report on 2009 Red Line Accident
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued the findings of its investigation of the June 22, 2009, accident involving the collision of two Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) trains that killed 9 people and injured nearly 80 others on the Red Line in Washington, D.C. NTSB determined that the probable cause of the accident was a malfunctioning of track circuits as well as Metro's failure to take appropriate measures to identify and prevent that problem. NTSB also made 23 new recommendations to WMATA and other entities aimed at improving the safety of the system and preventing future tragedies. "It is critically important that the millions of individuals who use Metro every day – be they area residents or visitors from around the world – have confidence in the safety of the system," said Rep. Hoyer. "I want to commend the NTSB on its thorough investigation of last year's tragic Red Line accident. I am committed to working with my colleagues and the local jurisdictions to ensure that Metro takes action on the NTSB's recommendations and will continue to work to ensure it has the resources to do so." At Rep. Hoyer's invitation, NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman will be briefing the Members of the Washington DC Area Congressional Delegation on the agency's findings and recommendations later this week. Also this week, the House is expected to consider the Fiscal 2011 Department of Transportation Appropriations Act which includes $150 million in dedicated Federal funding for capital improvements to the Washington Metro System at the request of the Administration and the DC Regional Congressional Delegation. This funding is part of $1.5 billion authorized by the Congress for Metro over ten years which will also be matched by the three local jurisdictions for a total of $3 billion. Last year, at the request of Rep. Hoyer and others, Congress appropriated the first $150 million of the Federal commitment. # # # |