Va. congressman calls on Metro to hand over documents requested by safety commission

ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — Northern Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly is calling on Metro to hand over documents to the commission overseeing safety after the transit agency refused a request for them.

“It’s not a matter of voluntary compliance,” Connolly (D – VA 11th District) told 7News in an interview Tuesday afternoon. “Metro must comply.”

7News first reported on Metro’s refusal last week. The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) – which was created in part by Connolly and other members of Congress to bring independent oversight to Metro – said it requested documents related to drug and alcohol testing of Metro employees, hazardous materials, and other safety-related issues.

READ MORE | Metro hit with subpoena from safety commission over refusal to turn over documents

Metro refused, and for the first time since it launched about five years ago, the WMSC issued Metro a subpoena demanding the documents.

“It is a rather a rather startling development that the safety commission felt it had to resort to a subpoena because it wasn’t getting cooperation from Metro itself,” Connolly said. “That’s really of deep concern to me.”

“This is not a matter of opinion, it’s a matter of law and the powers vested in the safety commission by Congress,” Connolly added. “It was the clear intent of Congress to provide outside examination of safety issues, because the feeling was there had been a buildup of too many incidents that were unexplained or dismissed by Metro.”

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Last week Metro sent 7News the following statement, which a spokesperson for Metro said Tuesday still stands as their only statement for now:

“Metro is reviewing the subpoena. While we respect the WMSC’s oversight role, we believe the information requested is duplicative, burdensome, and may result in inconsistent or conflicting findings or corrective actions where other agencies, such as FTA and OSHA, have oversight authority. Metro has attempted to work collaboratively with the WMSC and has suggested that the WMSC coordinate with the FTA or OSHA to conduct audits. We hope this issue can be resolved amicably and remain committed to providing safe and reliable transit services.”

A spokesperson for WMSC responded last week that while they do consult with government entities like the FTA at times, WMSC has a specific and different job to do, and to do that job well it needs the documents it requested.

The subpoena demands the documents by this coming Monday, April 22 at 11:59 p.m.

In addition to local and state governments, Congress helps to fund Metro, and Connolly warns if Metro continues to refuse to provide the documents it will not sit well with his fellow members of Congress.

“I believe non-cooperation by the Metro board and the Metro management will create serious problems in the Congress for Metro,” Connolly said.