White House Pushes For Federal Safety Oversight of Subways, Light Rail
Christopher Weber
Correspondent
Posted:
11/16/09
The White House supports a plan calling for federal safety oversight of subway and light rail systems in the United States.
Under the Obama administration proposal, the Transportation Department would either enforce safety rules itself or give states the option to do so with government guidance and money.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood introduced the plan after the collision of two subway trains in Washington last summer that killed nine people. Other accidents in San Francisco, Boston, Chicago and track-worker fatalities in Washington also contributed to the decision, Reuters reported.
The federal government already regulates safety for Amtrak, as well as for freight and commuter rail systems. Airline and auto safety programs are also overseen by the Transportation Department.
Under the Obama administration proposal, the Transportation Department would either enforce safety rules itself or give states the option to do so with government guidance and money.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood introduced the plan after the collision of two subway trains in Washington last summer that killed nine people. Other accidents in San Francisco, Boston, Chicago and track-worker fatalities in Washington also contributed to the decision, Reuters reported.
The federal government already regulates safety for Amtrak, as well as for freight and commuter rail systems. Airline and auto safety programs are also overseen by the Transportation Department.
The proposal will be formally launched in coming weeks. It's unclear what it would cost, and Congress would have to approve the plan.