Cory Booker: “today I voice my concerns on an important rail safety issue that we have been working on in the Senate Committee on…”

“today I voice my concerns on an important rail safety issue that we have been working on in the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. While railroads and commuter rails may face the immense challenge of implementing appropriate PTC precautions, now and always we must place the safety of our citizens above the fear of difficulties incurred by necessary technological change. We must face these difficulties head-on in order that our citizens' lives be ensured safety in public transportation. New Jersey runs on rail. Our economy simply could not sustain itself without it. Our Northeast corridor alone moves more than 700,000 people a day. Without the necessary PTC safeguards, these people will face the threat of a devastating crash more so every day. The sheer volume of commuters itself presents momentous concern for the State to be able to successfully guarantee the well-being of its rail lines. Knowing now that crashes like the Metro-North accident could have been prevented by PTC protections, I can say with bursting resolve that it is time for us to do better. The application of PTC directly translates into lives saved. To me and for many, that is an easy trade--as easy as it ever gets. But it is rarely ever that simple.…”