Boxer Continues Fight for Metrolink Rail Safety Measures

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) this week continued her efforts to make sure that Metrolink is implementing critical safety measures following the tragic crash in Chatsworth, California over a year ago that killed 25 people and left 135 injured.

Just yesterday, the Senate passed the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill, which included critical funding sought by Senator Boxer for Metrolink to install Positive Train Control (PTC) – anti-collision technology. The Senate-passed bill includes $500,000 sought by Boxer for Metrolink to install PTC. It also includes $50 million for the Railroad Safety Technology grant program. Senator Boxer and Senator John D. Rockefeller IV( D-WV) asked the Appropriations Committee to fully fund this grant program that provides funding for safety improvements, including the installation of PTC.

Today, Senator Boxer wrote to the Metrolink chairman to stress the importance of having Metrolink operate its trains with two crew members in the cab until PTC is implemented in order to prevent similar tragedies.

The text of the Senator’s letter follows:

September 18, 2009

Keith Millhouse
Chairman
Metrolink

Dear Chairman Millhouse:

I am deeply concerned that on average, 87 percent of Metrolink trains operate without a second crew member in the train cab. While I recognize that Metrolink is moving forward with the installation of cameras in its train cabs, I continue to believe that a second crew member in the cab is an essential interim safety measure that must be employed. One year after the tragic Chatsworth crash that killed 25 people and injured 135 more, we cannot afford to undermine steps we have taken to improve the safety of commuter rail.

Last September, I chaired a briefing for Senators on the cause of the Metrolink tragedy. I requested that interim safety measures be immediately implemented in the absence of the installation of positive train control. Former Metrolink Chairman Ron Roberts pledged at that briefing to add an extra crew member in the train cabs to act as an “extra set of eyes” to prevent another tragedy. I was pleased when Metrolink began to follow through on that pledge.

While I understand the challenges facing commuter rail in this difficult economy, safety must continue to be the top priority. As we work together to ensure that positive train control is implemented as quickly as possible, safety must not be compromised in the interim.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator

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