Press Releases

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Transportation Committee Member Barbara Comstock (R-VA) responded today to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announcement that it was closing Metrorail on Wednesday for emergency inspections.

“This afternoon, we learned of WMATA’s decision to close Metrorail for emergency inspections, and are gathering additional information,” Shuster said.  “We support any necessary actions to ensure the safety of Metro riders.  These safety issues have been a long-standing concern.  Last year the Transportation Committee passed and the President signed the FAST Act, which included provisions to strengthen transit safety mechanisms and enforcement.  Congresswoman Comstock worked to include provisions targeted at improving safety oversight of WMATA.  We will closely monitor developments and assess the need for any additional steps, including a potential hearing.”

“My constituents rely on Metrorail for safe travel every single day,” said Comstock.  “I appreciate that General Manager Paul Wiedefeld’s actions, while drastic, are being taken first and foremost to protect Metrorail riders’ safety.  At the same time this unprecedented action highlights the fundamental cultural change that needs to take place at Metro.  Instead of Metro riders being constantly inconvenienced and put in danger, Metro management throughout the entire system needs to be shaken to its core and be rid of its culture of incompetence.  New accountability measures must be put in place.”

The Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act is the multi-year highway and transit legislation that was signed into law December 4, 2015.  FAST Act provisions focused on public transportation safety include: