A Safer Metro Rail For The Region

Press Release

A MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSMAN HOYER

Fifth District commuters rely on Metro transit to get to work, school, doctors' appointments, and so much more. I share the deep concerns of many over last week's partial derailment of a WMATA Blue Line train, leaving 187 passengers waiting inside a tunnel to be safely escorted out. Since then, I have been closely following the developments from the investigation led by the National Transportation Safety Board. Like you, I am alarmed by the fact that safety concerns were identified with the Metro's 7000 series cars well before last week's incident. Now, more than ever, I believe we should focus on investments to our public transportation that promote safe and reliable travel for riders and staff across the region. We also must ensure the safety of Metro's hardworking employees who are on the frontlines every day and who are working around the clock to continue serving commuters during this time.

Congress is working to deliver President Biden's full Build Back Better agenda, including the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which will provide the largest-ever investment in our public transportation systems. This legislation would grant $150 million to WMATA over the next 8 years to improve safety and repair, but it won't stop there; it would also invest $39 billion to modernize transit systems, improve accessibility standards for those who are disabled and the elderly, and help increase access to transit access for communities of color. COVID-19 hurt our transit systems significantly, as ridership reached record lows and economic uncertainty caused significant layoffs. Thanks to Congress, the Metro has received $2.4 billion in federal pandemic relief funding to help keep this essential service operating. All Fifth District residents should have access to modern, reliable, and accessible transit, and I'll keep working to ensure our transit systems have the resources they need to keep riders safe. After last week's event, it is clear we must act on infrastructure legislation as soon as possible to bolster public transportation nationwide.

As always, I encourage all Fifth District residents to continue to share their concerns and insights with me by contacting my office or connecting with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. If you are experiencing a personal difficulty such as issues accessing veterans benefits or another problem regarding a federal agency and you wish for my office to place an inquiry on your behalf, please complete the casework request form by clicking here.

Sincerely Yours,

Steny H. Hoyer

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