After a high-profile derailing in November, outside experts have made a half-dozen recommendations to improve Metro safety. Nearly all of them aimed to correct what has been a lack of training and accountability among train operators. Suggestions for physical improvements included running fewer but larger trains; redesigning the cars to make passenger entry and exits faster; and quickly fixing faulty trains rather than immediately removing them from the line.
The American Public Transportation Association, which wrote the study, is composed of top officials from rail systems in Atlanta, Boston, London, New York, Philadelphia and Toronto. Richard White, the Metro’s chief executive, agrees with the panel's recommendations and said he hopes they will be enacted. But no one expects for change to come quickly: rail unions are likely to be vocal opponents.
[Fonte: Washington City Guide, The Economist]
