24°
The report, issued by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority's Inspector General Barry Kluger, said many of the problems were brought to the railroad's attention in 2001 but were not addressed.
The content of the report was blasted by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).
The inspector generals conclusions are alarming and astonishing. The latest report reveals years of improper oversight of switching and signaling systems, nonexistent record keeping, and woefully lax management," Blumenthal said in a statement Monday. "We know all too well what happens when Metro-North ignores safety the system falls apart, like the rail that deteriorated and cracked, causing two trains to collide in Bridgeport in 2013. After so many incidents in recent years, Metro-North should not need another wake-up call.
"Unacceptably, the railroads lack of focus on safety continues today, years after this was first brought to the attention of leadership at MTA and Metro-North. Safety and reliability require supervision systems that set priorities, assign crews to carry out the necessary work, and track the status of these jobs through modern technology. These systems should have been instituted long ago, and I demand that the railroad establish such common sense, safety measures immediately.
The report said work assignments are made verbally, not in writing, and reports are not kept. Crews are not required to track their work, the report said.
Sometimes, work crews are not even assigned work to do by their supervisor for their shifts, the report said.
Metro-North has been under fire in recent years, especially after a fiery train-car crash in Valhalla in February killed six people and a derailment in December 2013 that left four passengers dead.
To read the full report from the inspector general, click here.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Bridgeport and receive free news updates.
