On March 18, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the certification of the State Safety Oversight Program of the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC), the independent body now responsible for overseeing and enforcing safety practices on the region's transit system. 

COG staff worked with the jurisdictions, the FTA, and the WMSC in establishing the commission through wide-ranging legal, technical, and administrative staff support.

The WMSC was created in 2017 by an interstate compact between the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. COG members Phil Mendelson, District of Columbia Council Chairman, George Barker, Virginia State Senator, Brian Feldman, Maryland State Senator, and Marc Korman, Maryland State Delegate, championed the compact legislation in their respective legislatures. Following the WMSC's inaugural meeting in 2018, COG continued to support the new organization as it hired staff and built its technical capacity in preparation of assuming its oversight role.

“Today’s announcement by the FTA to certify the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission’s safety program is an exciting milestone moment for our metropolitan Washington region," said COG Executive Director Chuck Bean. "It’s not every day, or decade, that the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia come together to create a new regional organization with such significant responsibilities.”

In addition to the extensive efforts by Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld to prioritize safety as well as the region’s landmark dedicated funding agreement, the commission’s certification is another example of recent progress to ensure a safe transit system.

For information about the commission, visit the WMSC website. 

MORE: FTA Ready to Transfer WMATA Metrorail Safety Oversight to Washington Metrorail Safety Commission, Millions in Withheld Transit Funds Now Available (FTA news release)