Will Anything Happen?

If safety is really a "number one priority," why do these stories keep emerging?

From Varun, who cc'ed Unsuck on his interaction with Metro:

[On Sept. 15], I boarded the Orange Line to Vienna, train run 925, at about 8 p.m. at Farragut West station. I was in the lead car, number 3045, standing immediately behind the operator's cabin.

The operator, of whom I have a low quality photo, made a personal call about 30 seconds after we emerged from the tunnels, continued talking through East Falls Church, West Falls Church (unbelievably, in front of another Metro employee, possibly a supervisor) and continued talking when I exited the train at Dunn Loring. As I was existing via the escalator, he picked up his belongings and also proceeded to exit the train.

This is unsafe. He should not have been on the phone while operating the train, and he should be reprimanded.

Metro's response:

Dear Varun XXXX:

Your email was received by Metro's Rail Transportation Customer Service. Please excuse this delinquent response due to workflow back-log.

Thank you for taking the time to report your observation of the rail operator talking on his cell phone. This incident will be investigated and appropriate action taken. It is a policy violation for employees to use any electronic device while operating the rail.

Sincerely,
Marjorie Strother
Rail Transportation
Customer Service Representative
Case number 58###


"Safety is our number one priority"

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