IN RESPONSE TO NEW YORK TRAIN CRASH, BLUMENTHAL CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION TO IMPROVE RAIL SAFETY

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today called for immediate action to improve rail safety after a commuter train crashed in New York and injured over 100 people.

“Today’s train crash in New York should sound a powerful alarm. Connecticut‎ rail riders are at similar risk because of delays in implementing life-saving technology, which could have prevented the latest Brooklyn crash. Metro-North still lacks Positive Train Control—a system that slows and stops trains in danger—and must implement it right away to forestall loss of dollars and lives. I am pleased NTSB is investigating today’s crash, and I urge a quick and thorough inquiry. While there are more facts to learn, I will continue to demand that PTC be implemented everywhere that it can save lives and prevent injuries. Commuters who rely on rail deserve no less,” Blumenthal said.

After a similar crash in a terminal station in Hoboken in September, Senator Blumenthal wrote to the Federal Railroad Administration demanding answers on the logic of exempting terminal stations from PTC requirements.

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