Va. gov. signs executive order on safety oversight for D.C. Metro
Executive Directive 8 also instructs the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to review all accident investigations related to the Metrorail system, to inspect public and nonpublic areas of the system, and to assess the state of repair for all trains, tracks and other infrastructure.
Photo: Dupont Circle Metro Station with trains - NCinDC Flickr
2 min to read
Photo: Dupont Circle Metro Station with trains - NCinDC Flickr
RICHMOND, Va. — Governor Terry McAuliffe issued an executive directive Wednesday that seeks to spur the creation of a new oversight agency for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's subway system, which has been plagued by safety and management problems and is under mounting pressure from politicians to reverse a downward spiral that has cost passengers their lives, created service outages and cut ridership, the Richmond-Times Dispatch reported.
Executive Directive 8 also instructs the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation to review all accident investigations related to the Metrorail system, to inspect public and nonpublic areas of the system, and to assess the state of repair for all trains, tracks and other infrastructure, according to a press release issued by the governor's office.
“Our administration has been a constant advocate for stronger safety protections for the commuters who use the Metrorail system each day, including more than 300,000 Virginians,” said Governor McAuliffe. “We concur with the direction of the new leadership at WMATA and its work to ensure that safety is the central goal of the Metrorail system. By establishing the Metro Safety Commission and collaborating with our partners in Maryland and the District of Columbia, we are putting in place the necessary policies and oversight to ensure that safety continues to be the top priority.”
The federal Department of Transportation, which made the Federal Transit Administration responsible for safety oversight of WMATA last year, has pressed Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia to create the new agency, which will be called the Metro Safety Commission, to replace the existing Tri-State Oversight Committee, according to the Richmond-Times Dispatch. The existing committee has issued reams of safety recommendations but had little means to enforce them, federal and state officials have said.
Today’s riders—and the communities you serve—expect more from public transit. While ADA compliance is required, leading transit agencies know that true accessibility also means delivering dignity, efficiency, and a better rider experience. This whitepaper reveals why forward thinking agencies nationwide choose the Low Floor Frontrunner as their first choice for ADA compliant vehicles—setting a new standard with passenger first design, faster boarding, improved safety, and unmatched operational performance.
Fred Ferguson, president and CEO of the American Bus Association (ABA), discussed how the industry prepares for emergencies, the growing recognition of motorcoaches as critical infrastructure, and steps operators can take to strengthen disaster readiness.
The approved contract modification will increase funding for transit security officer services to a total not-to-exceed amount of $32.1 million, ensuring a continued and visible security presence across DART’s buses, trains, stations, and facilities.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
According to the new quarterly data, there were double-digit reductions in five of the eight serious crime categories, including aggravated assaults and robberies.
The project, finalized on February 12, provides the city with two different configurations of high-definition cameras to outfit 16 buses in the Pretzel City Area Transit fleet.
The funds will specifically reconstruct the portion of the pier used by PSTA’s Clearwater Ferry, creating a permanent dock for the ferry service, which serves as an important transportation and tourism link to other Pinellas County communities.
