Post-Derailment Reactions

This post will serve as a collection of politicians' responses to today's revelation that last Thursday's train derailment (zero injuries) should have been prevented a month earlier, and shows a significant lack of safety management. WAMU has more. Use this as a reminder to keep those who run/manage/oversee the organization responsible for their actions and those that affect the safety of all WMATA customers, riders, and employees.

WMATA Board of Directors

Statement by Metro Board of Directors regarding derailment investigation: http://t.co/iXjNovhx02 #wmata

— @wmata (@wmata) August 13, 2015

Mark Warner

How many times must we say "unacceptable"?!? It's way past time for new leadership & accountability at #WMATA. https://t.co/REwmkXLDk5

— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) August 12, 2015

Tim Kaine

It’s unacceptable that Metro track problem was detected in July & not dealt with. We need to see dramatic changes, including new leadership

— Senator Tim Kaine (@timkaine) August 12, 2015

ATU Local 689

Local 689 has been calling for an enhanced safety culture since the 2009 Red Line incident.

— ATU Local 689 (@ATULocal689) August 13, 2015

July's derailment is what happens when WMATA continues to fail at implementing a safety culture.

— ATU Local 689 (@ATULocal689) August 13, 2015

We look forward to the outcome of the derailment investigation that was reported a month prior and was not handled

— ATU Local 689 (@ATULocal689) August 13, 2015

Jack Evans

I'll be on @ABC7GMW tomorrow morning at 9:15am to talk #WMATA. Be sure to listen.

— Jack Evans (@JackEvansWard2) August 11, 2015

"Culture of safety/improvement means empowering all workers to identify and report problems within the system. And then fix them" #wmata

— Jack Evans (@JackEvansWard2) August 12, 2015

If you missed today me on @ABC7GMW talking #WMATA, I'll be on @News8NewsTalk tomorrow morning at 10am to talk @WMATA & more.

— Jack Evans (@JackEvansWard2) August 12, 2015

I've been calling on #wmata for months to encourage culture to identify, report, and fix problems. Today was a reminder why. (1/2)

— Jack Evans (@JackEvansWard2) August 12, 2015

I'll meet talking with @wmata and @ATULocal689 in coming days to figure out how to improve transparency and safety culture. (2/3*)

— Jack Evans (@JackEvansWard2) August 12, 2015

I'll be on @News8NewsTalk tomorrow at 10am to discuss #WMATA. (3/3)

— Jack Evans (@JackEvansWard2) August 12, 2015

@JackEvansWard2 @MetroRage @News8NewsTalk please discuss what ACTON politicians will take. All this talk and no change isn't helping. #wmata

— . (@vxgxn) August 12, 2015

Gerry Connolly

Fact that @wmata knew they had a track problem but did not address it is indefensible and does little to restore confidence in the system

— Gerry Connolly (@GerryConnolly) August 12, 2015

We reached Mr. Downey vacationing in Turkey. He deferred further questions to vice chairman Michael Goldman. (2/2)

— Martin Di Caro (@MartinDiCaro) August 13, 2015

Rep. Chris Van Hollen

.@wmata knew of defect pre-derailment & did nothing. Riders deserve their safety to be guaranteed by more than luck. http://t.co/mJN7oF6d2z

— Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) August 13, 2015

Rep. John Delaney

It is flatly unacceptable that Metro knew about this problem for over a month and did nothing http://t.co/aCUUSjtFaf

— Rep. John Delaney (@RepJohnDelaney) August 13, 2015

WMATA Board Chairman Mort Downey

#Break: Metro board chairman Mort Downey: "I find it deplorable. It’s a breach of safety that cannot be forgiven." @wamu885news #wmata (1/2)

— Martin Di Caro (@MartinDiCaro) August 13, 2015

We reached Mr. Downey vacationing in Turkey. He deferred further questions to vice chairman Michael Goldman. (2/2)

— Martin Di Caro (@MartinDiCaro) August 13, 2015

Tri-State Oversight Committee (TOC): http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dr-gridlock/wp/2015/08/13/tri-state-oversight-committee-gravely-concerned-about-recent-metro-failure/