Comments on: NTSB’s Metro Crash Report: Should We Blame The Metro Board?

By: The Limits Of The NTSB | Transportation Nation

The Limits Of The NTSB | Transportation Nation — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 23:53:47 +0000

[...] lasting more than a year, the NTSB released its final report on the crash late last month, amid much media [...]

By: Isn't It Obvious

Isn't It Obvious — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 20:25:27 +0000

Metro (WMATA) is DC's version of BP Oil. Metro has received as many recommendations and warnings from the NTSB regarding its train and rail line problems as BP received from OSHA in fines (760 fines out of a total 761 fines issued to all Oil Companies; Exxon received 1 fine). Metro seems to consider its riders as collateral damage, the same way BP considered its workers and the folks in the Gulf as collateral damage in the event of an oil spill. Result: Metro wreck; and oil spill. Until the NTSB has more power to issue fines and to do more than just make recommendations that the companies are not required to follow, nothing will change. Corporations are not interested in consumer safety; they are interested in making a profit. Just as the question is asked with BP - How are they still in business with such an aweful track record for safety, the same should be asked for Metro (WMATA).

Here is the website for BP: http://www.businessinsider.com/bp-has-been-fined-by-osha-760-times-has-an-awful-track-record-for-safety-2010-6

By: IMGoph

IMGoph — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:56:31 +0000

jason: sure, if they'd have bought new cars years ago, this wouldn't be an issue. but where would the money have come from? a republican president and congress earmarking money for a transit program in a deep blue area? not in a billion years.

the fact is that, no matter which political party is in charge, no one wants to spend the money they need to spend for this to be a quality system. americans are too cheap and not forward-looking enough.

By: Jason Cherkis

Jason Cherkis — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:30:15 +0000

Rick, the NTSB also made reference to supervisors intimidating the rank and file if they try to speak up about safety concerns. But yeah, I get your anger and am angry too about the delay in replacing those cars and the fare hike. Not to mention the broken elevators.

By: Rick Mangus

Rick Mangus — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:38:23 +0000

It was stated tonight by the head CLOWN at Metro that it will take up to, "four years to replace the 1000 series cars", WHAT ARE YOU KIDDING ME!

Remember this, another substantial fare increase starts August 1st, think about that the next time the subway is closed because of snow, which by the way NEVER happens in New York City or Chicago and their rail system is a lot older and their winters are a lot worse!

The final step is get rid of that criminal transit union which coddles stupid and dangerous employees!

By: Jason Cherkis

Jason Cherkis — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:23:07 +0000

But if they changed the cars years ago then horrible risk wouldn't be part of riding Metro.

By: IMGoph

IMGoph — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 03:58:52 +0000

ok, let's say the board took the 1000 (and for good measure, the 2000 and 3000) series cars out of service.

how does the region not seize up entirely due to gridlock because of this? we'd have 4-car trains running on something like 10 minute headways during rush hour. metro would simply have to fold up shop for a few years until they could buy enough cars to make things work again.

it sucks, but i think our only choice is to accept the horrible risk until we have received the new cars to replace the old ones.