CONGRESSMAN CHRIS VAN HOLLEN
Maryland’s 8th District
For Immediate Release
June 16, 2015
CONTACT: Bridgett Frey – 202-225-5384
Ian Jannetta – 202-225-1527
Van Hollen Statement on WMATA Safety Briefing with FTA
Washington, DC – Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen issued the following statement after a Congressional briefing on Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) safety issues with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA):
“One week after the National Transportation Safety Board discovered systemic errors in installation of critical safety equipment, the FTA has highlighted key areas for improvement in WMATA’s organization and safety management program. I am deeply concerned by FTA’s identification of systemic issues, including the need to strengthen safety training and proactively identify risk. When FTA releases its report tomorrow, WMATA must respond immediately and offer a plan to address these issues with a clear timeline for completion.”