Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 16, 2010

Metro and Tri-State Oversight Committee Agree to Strengthen Safety Oversight

Improved Oversight Will Benefit System Safety

Metro’s Board Safety Committee took another step in strengthening the safety of Metrorail by mutually agreeing to further enhance the oversight provided by the Tri-State Oversight Committee (TOC), which has been in continuous operation performing safety and security oversight of the Metrorail system since 1997.

Metro and TOC officials – composed of transportation officials from Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia – have concluded work on a 14-page Memorandum of Understanding.

“We recognize the importance of oversight and effective communication in strengthening Metrorail safety,” said Safety Committee Chair Mortimer Downey. “Metro and TOC share a mutual commitment to transparency, cooperation and accountability in service to our passengers.”

In summary, the agreement addresses National Transportation Safety Board findings for improving TOC oversight; clarifies roles and obligations of both organizations; provides a transparent process for incident notification; expands access to both incident and hazardous condition reports; and improves sharing of information requests.

News release issued at 10:34 am, December 16, 2010.