Mikulski Continues Investment in Metro Safety Reform with More Than $155 Million in FY17 Spending Bill

Press Release

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Vice Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced the Senate-passed fiscal year (FY) 2017 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations makes important investments in safety of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) system. This includes the eighth installment of $150 million in federal dedicated funding for infrastructure improvements focused on improving the safety of the aging system. The bill also includes a total safety oversight increase of $5.25 million for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) over FY16 levels.

"Safety first must be Metro's number one priority," Senator Mikulski said. "This bill provides safety resources for Metro's new turnaround management and ensures riders are not short changed. I've fought tooth and nail for federal funding to improve the safety, security and reliability of Metro. My amendment provides FTA with the manpower needed to make sure Metro is improving the safety of the system."

DEDICATED FEDERAL SAFETY FUNDING

Senator Mikulski fought to include $150 million in federal dedicated funding for Metro infrastructure improvements. Legislation authorizing $1.5 billion in federal funds over 10 years to improve Metro's aging infrastructure and provide Metro's first dedicated, federal funding source was passed in 2008.

Funding for FY17 will continue Metro's work to implement the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) safety recommendations. These recommendations include replacing the deadly 1000s series cars with new rail cars that meet the NTSB safety standards, track and signal upgrades, installing protective sleeves on electrical connectors, and fixing tunnel ventilation systems and radio interoperability.

The bill includes language requiring the U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary to do three things before this federal funding can be spent by Metro. First, the Secretary must approve each expenditure. Second, the Secretary must certify Metro is making progress implementing FTA's safety and financial management corrective action. Third, the Secretary must determine Metro is using funding on the top safety priorities of the NTSB and FTA.

FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION AMENDMENT

Senator Mikulski successfully fought to provide an increase of $5.25 million for FTA's oversight of Metro safety over FY16 levels. Her amendment provides $2.5 million above the $2.75 million included in the base bill, for a total increase of $5.25 million. This increase in safety oversight funding will ensure FTA has the workforce needed to make sure Metro is improving the safety of the system with the addition of four types of safety oversight staff.

Specifically, this amendment will:

Rail Operations Control Center (ROCC) -- Pay for the hiring of six full-time FTA staff to monitor Metro's operations 24/7 and carry out a comprehensive overhaul of the center's emergency operations and training procedures as recommended by the NTSB.

Federal Investigators -- Pay for the hiring of four additional FTA investigators to conduct independent federal investigations of safety events. There are about 100 metro investigations conducted each year.

Federal Inspectors -- Pay for the hiring of seven additional FTA inspectors who conduct inspections throughout the track system and rail operations. Inspectors verify corrective actions Metro has taken. They will also help oversee SafeTrack, Metro's year-long plan to accelerate repairs, making sure track work is fixed the right way.

Contractor Support -- Pay for the hiring of six additional FTA contractors who are subject matter experts. They will conduct FTA-led independent reviews of Metro's compliance to procedures and provide technical knowledge of FTA-led audits.

In the next step of the appropriations process, the House and Senate will work out the differences between their versions of the bill, which will then be approved a final time by both legislative bodies before being signed into law.

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