WMATA Safety Improvements Depend on Joint Action and Dependable Funding

Recognizing that safe and reliable Metrorail service depends on strong oversight, adequate resources and a positive safety culture, the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) called for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Commonwealth of Virginia, U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and Congress to dedicate funding and take actions necessary to ensure the safety of Metrorail.

“A strong focus on safety performance is critical to putting Metrorail back on track. But it alone isn’t enough to safeguard passenger safety,” said NVTC Chairman David F. Snyder. “Maryland, the district, and Virginia must move forward and authorize a permanent independent safety agency, WMATA must adhere to strong safety standards, and the federal government must provide dependable funding if Metro is to operate efficiently and effectively.”

NVTC’s resolution, approved Thursday night, calls upon WMATA to prioritize its investment in state-of-good repair projects and safety improvements and to enact policies and procedures at every level of the agency that support and emphasize safety. The commission endorses direct oversight of WMATA by U.S. DOT until Virginia and Maryland, along with the District of Columbia, authorize the establishment of an independent Metro Safety Commission. 

Dependable federal funding of WMATA is essential to ensuring the safety of the system that the National Capital Region — including the federal government — relies on every day. “Congress must start by keeping its commitment to match the $150 million per year provided by regional partners,” stated Snyder, referring to funding committed to WMATA under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008.

Pending legislation in Congress would reduce the current-year federal funding to $100 million. “Cutting WMATA’s appropriation by a third is counterproductive, since these funds are used to improve the rail system’s safety,” said Snyder. Because the money is matched by Virginia, Maryland and the District, a $50 million federal reduction could become a $100 million cut. “A loss of this magnitude would undermine efforts to ensure that Metrorail customers, including many federal government officials and international visitors, can count on a safe and reliable ride every trip.”