Barbara Mikulski

The March 2010 audit of Metro's safety program by the Federal Transit Administration, requested by Senator Mikulski.

We need to be able to have that communication.

It hasn't improved because the employees who would utilize that type of system don't know that it even exists.

I believe it is in the best interest of the functionality of the system that labor and management have a regular systematic way of communicating.

Well, what about the safety and the safety training and the safety officer?

Thank you, Chairwoman Murray, as well as you, Senator Mikulski, on your insight concerning the Federal Transit Administration's audit.

But I think this is a very good guidance.

I believe rail, whether it is heavy rail to move cargo in our corridors, whether it is--I will call it heavy rail, to move people in the Northeast Corridor, whether it is our MARC trains or the Virginia version of that, we need to have a…

Safe and reliable operation of the Metro System is a top priority for me and the Greater Washington Area delegation.

We all have to take ownership for the safety offices.

Well, it will be my intention that when the NTSB makes their recommendations that we have a public discussion of that.

Well, that is a pretty startling kind of breakdown there because it is the rail that carries the majority of the passengers.

Sir, would you identify and would you agree that those are the top 10 things that need to be changed?

I am committed to working with my congressional colleagues, the Federal Transit Administration and the leadership at the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority to make safety an operational priority at Metro and restore public…

That which is measured gets done.

Your introduction of Senate bill 1506 on WMATA safety shows the dedication that needs to be given to this issue.

Well, I think that is an interesting insight.

In other words, are you moving the backlog?

So, if we wanted to modernize, it would take additional revenue from either your Federal partners or other partners. Is that correct?

I think the biggest role of Congress is we are in the prevention business.

We are not in lieu of what either Maryland, Virginia, or the District of Columbia, the Virginia localities would contribute.

I trust this strong demonstration of support will encourage Metro's three funding partners to continue to meet their responsibilities toward the system as well.

If the Federal Government increases its investment in the system, it should also increase its oversight of operations and capital projects, so as to ensure that tax dollars are being well spent.

I applaud and support the administration's request of $150 million in fiscal year 2011 for Metro.

I want to thank you for holding this very important hearing on the WMATA budget.