Blumenthal Statement on MTA Expanding Testing on Railroad Crew Members for Sleep Apnea

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today made the following statement today in response to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s announcement that it will expand a successful sleep apnea testing program for railroad crew members for sleep apnea.

“I am pleased to see Metro-North has heeded my call for a permanent, effective testing regimen for engineers and conductors, which has also long been urged by the National Transportation Safety Board. Spuyten Duyvil taught us too well that basic, commonsense screening can catch issues like sleep apnea and prevent horrific disasters that lead to death and destruction on our rails. Metro-North and MTA shouldn’t be the only ones acting though – the federal government should act swiftly to implement a Fatigue Risk Management System for all railroads. The agency is still years behind in creating rules that will curb dangerous conditions tied to sleep disorders. It’s time to wake up."

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