Federal safety regulation of local transit systems

In response to the massive failures of WMATA to provide a safe transit system--which resulted in the catastrophic accident in June which killed 9 people and injured many others--the federal government is about to put forward legislation to take responsibility for the specific regulation of local fixed rail transit operations. See "Fed safety oversight of transit systems proposed" from the Post.

I do think that there need to be national standards and systems promulgated for how transit systems are regulated. Clearly there are big gaps across the country. California's Public Utilities Commission demonstrates it is possible to provide excellent regulation of local rail transit. From their website:

The PUC's Rail Transit Safety Section is responsible for overseeing the safety of public transit guideways. The Commission's program ensures that transit agencies have and follow system safety programs that integrate safety in all facets of transit system operations. Every three years staff audits the transit agencies on the agencies' adherence to the system safety programs. Commission staff also review the design of new systems and system extensions, work with transit agencies to mitigate safety hazards, inspect construction to ensure conformance with applicable standards, and audit the safety certification practices of transit systems. Commission staff oversee the safety of operations, including accident investigations and resolution of safety related complaints.)

I agree that local systems need to be regulated. I'm just not sure that I think having the federal government do it is the best way. I wonder how much attention they'd pay to each system, and if the regulatory regime would be more political, or subject to other machinations when an anti-transit Administration is in power.

In our region, I would recommend that DC, Maryland and Virginia set up a supra-regulatory committee as a joint venture, one that operates within the utilities oversight body of each jurisdiction, tasked with the regulation of rail transit systems. That would mean subway and light rail in Baltimore, passenger railroad services in Maryland and Virginia, heavy, light rail, and streetcar service in Metropolitan Washington, and light rail in Hampton Roads in Virginia.