Safety Board Says D.C. Metro Should Have Replaced Train
Nine people died in the worst crash in the Metro's 33-year history
A federal safety investigator says that the older subway train that slammed into the back of another on Washington's Metro system yesterday, killing nine people and injuring at least 70, should have been replaced years ago because of safety concerns.
Debbie Hersman, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said today in a news conference that the subway train was part of an older series that her agency had repeatedly recommended transit authorities retrofit with new safety devices or phase out. Hersman said that these recommendations were not addressed.
It's the deadliest crash in Metro's 33-year history, and federal investigators are still searching for clues about the cause. Metro's trains are equipped with a computerized system that controls speed and braking to prevent trains from colliding. If two trains get too close, the computer system is supposed to automatically apply the brakes.
The rush-hour crash occurred yesterday afternoon on the heavily traveled Red Line between the Fort Totten and Takoma Metrorail stations. It's still unclear whether the train's age contributed to the crash.
"We don't know at this point whether or not the operator could have seen the train ahead of them in time to stop," Hersman said. "We're going to be conducting a thorough accident investigation."
The newer-series train that was struck carried nine data recorders that the safety board expects to recover and analyze. The other train, which is more than 30 years old, had no data recorders despite recommendations from the board that they be installed.
The board urged transit officials to upgrade or replace older subway cars after a 2004 accident at the Woodley Park Metro station near the National Zoo that injured 20 passengers.
Metro has 290 of the oldest series rail cars still in service, according to Metro's website.
Monday's crash continued to affect Washington commuters today. The normally busy Red Line had limited service, and the parallel MARC commuter train to Brunswick, Md., was suspended.
Reader Comments
Train Drivers and Bus Drivers
Washington Metro Subway system require train driver to work as metro bus driver for one year or more then apply for train driver. Everyone knows that in Washington DC suburbs, Blacks control all the Metro drivers positions jobs. More than 80% of the drivers are Black. Whenever a White or Asian driver was hired to drive bus or train, they will always get push out by unethnical or criminal tactics. The dispatchers if they are Black will assign defective, old or obsolete buses or trains to White drivers. When those buses broke down their rescue, repair, road services and other help will always be delayed. When passengers harassed White driver help will often come late. Many Black riders will gang up to harass White making them unable to work. In all, the Washington Metro transportation systems is a criminal and racketeering organization probably endorsed by Barack Obama. They must be investigated by law enforcement agencies. Bus riding is an alternative to driving which will conserve resource, save energy and protect environment. Criminal activities such as this will discourage ridership. We don't know whether the driver or passengers are Blacks but this is cetainly poetic justice from God.
OLD TRAINS AND PLANES
There are too many old trains and planes transporting people like cargo. About 12years ago there was a cheap air line company called jet blue that had been reported by one of its passenger to be using duck tape to repair a small crack on one of the plane's wings. So much for a bargain flight.
Use Stimulus Money for Car Replacement
This sounds like a good use for some of the Stimulus money: replace defective subway cars. Only this time, how about buying the cars from an American company, rather than sending the dollars overseas to a foreign company. The existing DC subway cars where manufactured in Spain, France and Italy.
advertisement
