MTA falls in line with WMATA cell/text policy
SUN EXCLUSIVE:
The Maryland Transit Administration has adopted a zero-tolerance policy under which any operator found to have been using a cell phone or text-messaging device on the job will be fired even if it is a first offense.
The MTA took the action shortly after the Washington Metro system announced a similar change Thursday morning in which it scrapped a three-strikes-and-you’re-out policy and said it would fire violators outright.
The decision by Administrator Paul J. Wiedefeld came about an hour after The Sun inquired about the MTA’s policy in light of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Administration’s announcement. At first, the MTA said it was sticking by its policy that it “can” fire violators. Under the new policy, the MTA says it “will”fire operators who text or use cell phones while at the controls.
“There is no negotiation when it comes to public safety,” she said.
Greene said that because MTA and WMATA serve many of the same customers, it is important to maintain a consistency in the agencies’ safety policies.
Both transit agencies are currently dealing with the aftermath of fatal accidents in which operator performance is a subject of investigation.
Nine people were killed June 22 in the collision of two trains on the Washington Metro’s Red Line. According to WMATA, preliminary results of the investigation indicate the operator of the train that stuck the other was not using her cell phone at the time of the crash. That operator was killed.
On Sunday, two 17-year-old boys were killed when they were struck by an MTA light rail train near Lutherville. That crash is currently under investigation.
Categories: Baltimore Metro, Light rail, Local bus lines, MTA bus system
Comments
So how is this going to be enforced? Does a supervisor have to actually witness an operator using their phone? I can't tell you how many times I have been driving around and seen bus drivers on their cell phones while they are driving their routes. I think this is a good step by the MTA, but I wonder how it will actually be enforced because making rules just for the sake of making rules is silly unless there is going to be a real plan to enforce it.
Posted by: Jeff | July 9, 2009 12:10 PM