Norton Calls on Metro to Implement Real-Time Emergency Response Training in Metro Tunnels and to Resolve Workers’ Fear of Using Non-Punitive Safety Reporting Following January 12 Accident

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, at the first congressional hearing on the January 12 Metro accident, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and emergency personnel should have real-time, on-site disaster training as a matter of best practices; raised questions about Metro's anonymous safety reporting system; and said that Metro should not raise fares at this time.

"The January 12 Metro accident was predictable and avoidable, perhaps unlike the 2009 Metro disaster caused by complex malfunctions of equipment," Norton said. "The January, 2015 accident involved the ABC's of running a common carrier, such as ensuring that the ventilation system was not blowing smoke into the train cars and that communications between first responders and Metro officials were working."

In answer to a question from Norton, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Acting Chair Christopher Hart promised to look into training at the Metro Training Center in Landover, Maryland to determine whether it prepares WMATA and emergency personnel to actually go into a Metro tunnel for drills. She said that she believes best practices should require exposing workers and responders to real-time exercises in Metro tunnels.

In an answer to another Norton question, Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 689 President Jackie Jeter said that WMATA workers fear retaliation from their supervisors for utilizing its confidential close-call system, which is supposed to allow workers to anonymously report safety concerns. NTSB recommended a non-punitive safety reporting program, long used by aviation workers, following the 2009 Metro accident that killed 9 people.

In response to Norton's concern about possible Metro fare hikes proposed this week at a WMATA board hearing, WMATA Board of Directors Chair Mortimer Downey indicated that he agreed with Norton that now is not the time to time to raise fares. Norton said she realized that not raising fares could put a burden on the regional jurisdictions rather than Metro riders, but said she is introducing a bill to address the disparity between parking tax benefits and transit tax benefits, a major cause for the precipitous drop in Metro ridership. Currently, commuter parking benefits ($250) are almost double commuter transit benefits ($130 per month).

Norton also thanked Jonathan Rogers, a witness today and the Metrorail passenger who heroically performed CPR attempting to save the life of Carol Glover, who died of smoke inhalation. Norton said that she would put statements in the record commending Rogers and the train operator, whose constant information to riders helped avoid panic.