Federal Loan Agreement Reached To Install Safety Technology On Metro-North, LIRR Trains
HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Federal transportation officials and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority have agreed on a nearly $1 billion federal loan to install technology that could slow trains when necessary on the Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road.
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said Wednesday the Federal Railroad Administration and MTA agreed on a $967 million loan to install Positive Train Control technology on nearly 1,500 rail cars. It automatically slows the train if the operator or a malfunction places it in jeopardy.
MTA spokesman Aaron Donovan said Metro-North and the LIRR are putting in place the system, which includes installing on-board components for 1,455 rail cars and transponders.
Federal Loan Agreement Reached To Install Safety Technology On Metro-North, LIRR Trains
Blumenthal said the purchase is worth every dollar.
"The engineers and operators of these trains are only human," he told WCBS 880's Alex Silverman.
A Metro-North train derailed in the Bronx on Dec. 1, 2013, killing four passengers. The engineer told investigators he felt "dazed" before the train hit a curve.
Blumenthal said Positive Train Control could have slowed or stopped the train.
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