Remembering Metrorail Operator Jeanice McMillan

Remembering Metrorail Operator Jeanice McMillan

Two years ago today the deadliest crash on Washington's subway system occurred. Train operator Jeanice McMillan and eight passengers lost their lives in the accident. Dozens of others were injured. As the runaway train careened towards a stopped train, McMillan showed tremendous courage. She kept her post in the conductor’s cabin and applied the brakes, never giving up and never knowing that the circuitry that controlled the brakes had failed. McKinney pauses on this day to pay tribute to McMillan. She made the ultimate sacrifice for the passengers in her care.

Metro Celebrates Birthday With Needed Repairs & Respect For Those Who Make System Work

Metro Celebrates Birthday With Needed Repairs & Respect For Those Who Make System Work

Metro turns 35 tomorrow. Sadly, the system has not aged gracefully because operations funding has not kept pace with steady growth in ridership. In recent times, the region’s public rail system has experienced horrific safety lapses, most notably the fatal Red Line crash on June 22, 2009. Most recently, frozen escalators at Metrorail stations are status quo. These troubling issues rivet public attention – as they should.  But despite the system’s infrastructure woes, Metrorail operators, station managers and maintenance crews go to work each day to keep the aging system moving. They – the workers – deserve our thank-you and best birthday wishes.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, March 28, 2011:

"Metrorail turns 35 on Tuesday"

Birthday celebrated with repairs, not cake. Thirty-five years ago Tuesday, the Metrorail system opened its train doors to its first fare-paying customers.

An Easy Target - House GOP Threatens to Cut Metro

An Easy Target - House GOP Threatens to Cut Metro

While we understand the daunting budget challenges facing our Congress as they tackle our growing national debt crisis, we are again baffled by House GOP proposed cuts to funding in the Disctrict of Columbia, and more specifically for the Metro budget. Washington D.C. is our nation's capitol, and has changed into an international city and tourist hotspot. Without Metro our city would fail to be meet the consmopolitan demands of such a city. Businesses would be hurt, as customers would no longer be able to access affordable transportation to their stores. The effects would be devastating to the city, especially to it's poorest residents. We hope that the Democratic-controlled Senate will not allow such budgetary cuts to be finalized in any budget that ultimately passes, without serious thought as to how those needed funds can be replaced. This city simply needs a functioning, affordable, public transportation system.

Highlighted Clip for Monday, February 14, 2011:

"House Republicans propose deep cuts to District, Metro budgets"

By Ben Pershing

House Republicans unveiled a spending resolution Friday night that would cut federal payments to the District by nearly $80 million and slash Metro funding by $150 million over the next eight months, as the GOP seeks to fulfill its campaign pledge to rein in government outlays.