WASHINGTON – A new Metro Safety Commission was approved by Congress Friday.
The long-awaited safety body that would take over safety oversight responsibilities from the Federal Transit Administration is still months away from getting up and running, but the final approval in the House of Representatives Friday is a crucial step.
If President Donald Trump signs the joint resolution, Maryland, Virginia and D.C. will still need to actually establish the safety oversight body including hiring staff and getting office space.
The U.S. Department of Transportation continues to withhold federal funding for the entire region until the body is up and running.
The commission will be an independent body but will have the authority to order Metro to make changes. Metro will remain responsible for actually carrying out those directives and for keeping riders and workers safe.
Regional leaders first formally proposed the commission in 2010.
