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Federal oversight of subways proposed

By Joe Stephens and Lena H. Sun
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, November 15, 2009


The Obama administration will propose that the federal government take over safety regulation of the nation's subway and light-rail systems, responding to what it says is haphazard and ineffective oversight by state agencies.

Under the proposal, the U.S. Department of Transportation would do for transit what it does for airlines and Amtrak: set and enforce federal regulations to ensure that millions of passengers get to their destinations safely. Administration officials said the plan will be presented in coming weeks to Congress, which must approve a change in the law.

The proposal would affect every subway and light-rail system in the country, including large systems in Washington, New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Panel to aid airline industry

By Associated Press
Friday, November 13, 2009


Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Thursday he will create a special panel to come up with a plan to restore health to the ailing airline industry, which is losing billions of dollars, shedding jobs and blamed for using a business model that critics say undermines safety.

LaHood, who made his announcement at the end of an industry forum, promised that within a year the panel will produce "a roadmap for the future of the aviation industry."

Airlines were quick to tell the Obama administration that they want the government to pick up the entire tab for a new air traffic control system based on GPS technology instead of radar.

The Federal Aviation Administration, which has been working on the new system for more than a decade, had already anticipated spending $15 billion to $22 billion on the "NextGen" program. But the FAA's plans also call for airlines to shell out an additional $14 billion to $20 billion to install equipment in their planes needed to use the new system.

Since the new system would benefit the entire nation, "it should be paid for by the federal government," the Air Transport Association said in a statement.

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