RAKOCEVIC: Ford government is letting Metrolinx put transit riders at risk

QUEEN’S PARK –– Ontario NDP Shadow Public Transit Minister Tom Rakocevic (Humber River––Black Creek) is calling out Metrolinx, after reporting by the Trillium revealed a cover-up of numerous serious safety violations, while the Ford government refuses to hold them accountable:

“Metrolinx’s culture of secrecy has gone on long enough,” said Rakocevic. “They are putting transit riders and workers at risk and refusing to disclose these serious incidents to the public. Do we need to see a major catastrophe before the Ford government finally steps in, and forces them to operate with some level of accountability?

“Operators and maintenance staff work hard to keep the system running safely but need proper support and modern train safety systems that are standard elsewhere to do so effectively. When a near miss occurs, Metrolinx is somehow allowed to only report them at their discretion. Investigations should be made public so that workers and the public are protected.

“Both Metrolinx and the Ministry of Transportation have still yet to take accountability for any of this. The Ford government must call a full public inquiry, and demand answers from Metrolinx, before the unthinkable happens.”