,i #aaeth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ddff ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,november #bh1 #bjag,mr4 ,brown of ,maryland 7for himself and ,mr4 ,raskin7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on the ,judiciary1 and in addition to the ,committee on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to provide funding flexibility to the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority1 to grant authority to amend the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,compact1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,,wmata ,flexible ,funding and ,safety ,improvement ,act4 ,i ,operating ,assistance #aja4 ,federal operating assistance ,section #ecjg of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7i7 ,special rule ,the ,secretary may make grants under this section to finance the operating cost of equipment and facilities for use in an urbanized area with a population of not fewer than #bjj1jjj individuals1 as determined by the ,bureau of the ,census1 for a public transportation system that-- 7#a7 operates as an interstate compact agency by the terms of its enabling legislation2 and 7#b7 is an agency and instrumentality of #c signatories1 which have enacted legislation-- 7,a7 to provide a dedicated source of revenue to finance the operating costs of equipment and facilities for use in public transportation2 and 7,b7 that results in the collection of local and ,state funds that cover at least #ej percent of such operating costs4 4 ,,ii ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,compact #bja4 ,definitions ,in this title1 the following definitions apply3 7#a7 ,compact ,the term ,compact means title ,,iii of the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,regulation ,compact1 known as the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,compact1 consented to by ,congress under ,public ,law #hi-ggd 7#hj ,stat4 #acbd et seq474 7#b7 ,deadhead miles ,the term deadhead miles means the movement of a transit vehicle without passengers aboard1 which often occurs to and from a garage or to and from #a route to another4 7#c7 ,metro,access ,the term ,metro,access means the paratransit service of the ,transit ,authority for individuals whose disability prevents them from using a bus or rail facility4 7#d7 ,super-late trips ,the term super-late trips means ,metro,access trips extending at least #bj minutes past the delivery window4 7#e7 ,transit ,authority ,the term ,transit ,authority means the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority4 #bjb4 ,authority for ,compact amendments 7a7 ,in general ,the consent of ,congress is hereby granted for the ,state of ,maryland1 the ,commonwealth of ,virginia1 and the ,district of ,columbia to amend the ,compact for the purposes described in this section4 7b7 ,safety task forces ,the ,compact may be amended to authorize the ,transit ,authority to establish and maintain-- 7#a7 the ,jeanice ,mc,millan ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,track ,safety ,task ,force for the development of on-track safety standards for the ,transit ,authority1 as provided by section #bjc2 and 7#b7 the ,thomasine ,maria ,smith ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,bus ,safety ,task ,force for the development of bus safety standards for the ,transit ,authority1 as provided by section #bjd4 7c7 ,metro,access review 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,compact may be amended-- 7,a7 to direct the ,inspector ,general for the ,transit ,authority1 prior to the renewal of any private ,metro,access contract by the ,transit ,authority for the provision of demand response services1 to conduct a review of the ,metro,access program and submit a report on the results of the review in accordance with this subsection2 and 7,b7 to include the prohibition set forth in paragraph 7#e74 7#b7 ,contents ,in conducting the review1 the ,inspector ,general shall compare paratransit services provided under the ,metro,access program to similar programs carried out by at least #cj peer transit agencies across the ,united ,states1 including systems that directly operate such services and systems that purchase transportation for such services4 7#c7 ,scope ,the ,inspector ,general shall ensure that the scope of the review includes an examination of-- 7,a7 percentage of deadhead miles2 7,b7 percentage of deadhead hours2 7,c7 passengers per revenue mile2 7,d7 average trip length2 7,e7 cost per revenue mile2 7,f7 cost per revenue hour2 7,g7 cost per unlinked trip2 7,h7 unlinked passenger trips per vehicle revenue hour2 7,i7 unlinked passenger trips per vehicle revenue mile2 7,j7 late trips2 7,k7 super-late trips2 and 7,l7 additional related matters4 7#d7 ,submission of report ,upon completion of the review1 the ,inspector ,general shall submit a report on the results of the review to the ,governor of ,maryland1 the ,governor of ,virginia1 the ,mayor of the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,president of the ,maryland ,senate1 the ,president of the ,virginia ,senate1 the ,speaker of the ,maryland ,house of ,delegates1 the ,speaker of the ,virginia ,house of ,delegates1 and the ,chairman of the ,council of the ,district of ,columbia4 7#e7 ,prohibition ,if the results of the review indicate that the ,transit ,authority ranks in the bottom half of transit systems with respect to a majority of categories within the scope of the review1 the ,transit ,authority-- 7,a7 shall not renew the ,metro,access contract that triggered the review2 and 7,b7 shall arrange to perform such services directly4 7d7 ,flat fare1 free transfer pilot program2 ability-,based fares program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,compact may be amended to provide for1 in accordance with the requirements of this subsection-- 7,a7 a flat fare1 free transfer pilot program2 and 7,b7 an ability-based fares program4 7#b7 ,flat fare1 free transfer pilot program 7,a7 ,in general ,under the flat fare1 free transfer pilot program authorized by paragraph 7#a71 not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,transit ,authority shall institute at each participating ,metrorail station1 and widely publicize1 a #a-year flat fare consisting of-- 7i7 a flat fare of #b4ej for all ,metrorail trips originating from the participating ,metrorail station2 and 7ii7 free transfers at the participating ,metrorail station between ,metrorail and ,metrobus4 7,b7 ,selection of participating ,metrorail stations ,the ,transit ,authority shall select #c ,metrorail stations for participation in the pilot program1 one of which shall be located in ,maryland1 one of which shall be located in ,virginia1 and one of which shall be located in the ,district of ,columbia4 7,c7 ,report 7i7 ,in general ,the ,transit ,authority shall develop a report on the results of the pilot program4 7ii7 ,contents ,in developing the report1 the ,transit ,authority shall examine-- 7,i7 bus and rail ridership at ,metrorail stations participating in the pilot program1 comparing data from the period of the pilot program to the #b previous years2 and 7,,ii7 ridership patterns at other nearby ,metrorail stations compared to the #b previous years4 7iii7 ,submission ,not later that #ij days after the termination of the pilot program1 the ,transit ,authority shall submit the report to the ,governor of ,maryland1 the ,governor of ,virginia1 the ,mayor of the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,president of the ,maryland ,senate1 the ,president of the ,virginia ,senate1 the ,speaker of the ,maryland ,house of ,delegates1 the ,speaker of the ,virginia ,house of ,delegates1 and the ,chairman of the ,council of the ,district of ,columbia4 7iv7 ,consideration of report results ,if the report indicates that there was significant ridership growth at participating ,metrorail stations as a result of the pilot program1 the ,transit ,authority shall consider system-wide implementation of a successor program that is based on the pilot program4 7#c7 ,ability-based fares program 7,a7 ,in general ,under the ability-based fares program authorized by paragraph 7#a71 not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,transit ,authority shall implement a fare system1 to be known as the lifeline fare system1 that takes into account the ability of a passenger to pay4 7,b7 ,eligibility ,the lifeline fare system shall provide a #ej-percent discount for residents whose incomes are at least #bjj percent below the ,federal poverty level4 #bjc4 ,jeanice ,mc,millan ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,track ,safety ,task ,force ,the amendments to the ,compact referred to in section #bjb7;b77#a7 are substantially as follows3 7a7 ,establishment of track safety task force ,there is established the ,jeanice ,mc,millan ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,track ,safety ,task ,force4 7b7 ,duties ,the ,task force shall be responsible for reviewing the on-track safety program of the ,transit ,authority1 including-- 7#a7 training and qualifications of employees of the ,transit ,authority affected by the program2 7#b7 appropriate procedures for protecting employees of the ,transit ,authority engaged in work along the track right-of-way1 including good faith challenge procedures2 7#c7 instructions to train operators2 7#d7 relevant rules of the ,transit ,authority2 7#e7 third rail safety2 7#f7 illuminations2 and 7#g7 any additional related safety matters4 7c7 ,standards ,the ,task ,fore shall conduct the review in accordance with-- 7#a7 the best principles and practices found in ,safety ,management ,systems and ,high ,reliability ,organizations identified in the report of the ,transit ,rail ,advisory ,committee entitled ,implementing ,safety ,management ,system ,principles in ,rail ,transit ,agencies1 dated ,may #bj1 #bjaa2 and 7#b7 recommendations detailing how processes1 practices1 tasks1 and individual employee responsibilities can support a strong safety culture1 as reported in the report of the ,transit ,rail ,advisory ,committee entitled ,building ,toward a ,strong ,safety ,culture ,within the ,bus and ,rail ,transit ,industry1 dated ,february #bg1 #bjag4 7d7 ,membership 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,task ,force shall be composed of #d members as follows3 7,a7 ,the ,chairman of the ,washington ,metrorail ,safety ,commission 7or the ,chairman's designee74 7,b7 ,the ,chief ,safety ,officer of the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority 7or the ,chief ,safety ,officer's designee74 7,c7 ,the ,deputy ,chief of ,rail ,safety and ,facilities of the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority 7or the ,deputy ,chief's designee74 7,d7 ,the ,president of ,amalgamated ,transit ,union1 ,local #fhi 7or the ,president's designee74 7#b7 ,chair ,the ,chairman of the ,washington ,metrorail ,safety ,commission 7or the ,chairman's designee7 shall be the ,chair of the ,task ,force4 7#c7 ,meetings ,the ,task ,force shall meet at the call of the ,chair1 but in no event less than #d times per year4 ,any member of the ,task ,force may call a meeting of the ,task ,force if the member provides not fewer than #aj days written notice of the meeting to the other members4 7#d7 ,compensation2 expenses ,the members of the ,task ,force shall receive no salary or other compensation for their services1 but the members shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties4 7e7 ,on-,track safety program 7#a7 ,reports ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,,wmata ,flexible ,funding and ,safety ,improvement ,act1 the ,task ,force shall issue one or more reports setting forth the recommendations of the ,task ,force with respect to the on-track safety program4 7#b7 ,submission ,the ,task ,force shall submit each report issued under this subsection to the ,governor of ,maryland1 the ,governor of ,virginia1 the ,mayor of the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,president of the ,maryland ,senate1 the ,president of the ,virginia ,senate1 the ,speaker of the ,maryland ,house of ,delegates1 the ,speaker of the ,virginia ,house of ,delegates1 and the ,chairman of the ,council of the ,district of ,columbia4 7#c7 ,implementation of material modifications 7,a7 ,in general ,prior to the implementation of any material modification to the on-track safety program1 the ,transit ,authority shall provide written notice of the material modification to the ,task ,force4 7,b7 ,review ,upon receipt of written notice of a material modification under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,task ,force shall review the modification at the next meeting of the ,task ,force4 7,c7 ,limitation on statutory construction ,nothing in this paragraph may be construed to preclude or limit the right of the ,transit ,authority to implement a modification to the on-track safety program that the ,transit ,authority determines is appropriate to enhance the safety of its employees1 customers1 or third parties4 7f7 ,annual inspection 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,task ,force shall-- 7,a7 conduct an annual inspection of the compliance by the ,transit ,authority with the on-track safety program2 and 7,b7 on or before ,july #a1 #bjai1 and each year thereafter1 issue to the ,transit ,authority a report detailing its findings4 7#b7 ,response ,not later than #ij days after the date of receipt of a report under paragraph 7#a71 the ,transit ,authority shall provide written notice to the ,task ,force of the actions of the ,task ,force1 if any1 implemented or to be implemented in response to the report4 7g7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the following definitions apply3 7#a7 ,on-track safety program ,the term on-track safety program means the on-track safety program of the ,transit ,authority4 7#b7 ,task ,force ,the term ,task ,force means the ,jeanice ,mc,millan ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,track ,safety ,task ,force established under subsection 7a74 7#c7 ,transit ,authority ,the term ,transit ,authority means the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority4 4 #bjd4 ,thomasine ,maria ,smith ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,bus ,safety ,task ,force ,the amendments to the ,compact referred to in section #bjb7;b77#b7 are substantially as follows3 7a7 ,establishment of bus safety task force ,there is established the ,thomasine ,maria ,smith ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,bus ,safety ,task ,force4 7b7 ,duties ,the ,task ,force shall be responsible for reviewing the bus safety program of the ,transit ,authority1 including-- 7#a7 training and qualifications of employees of the ,transit ,authority affected by the program2 7#b7 appropriate procedures for protecting employees of the ,transit ,authority engaged in bus operations2 7#c7 instructions to bus operators2 7#d7 relevant rules of the ,transit ,authority2 and 7#e7 strategies to eliminate or minimize the exposure of the public1 personnel1 and property to hazards and unsafe conditions by1 among other measures-- 7,a7 scheduling fixed route bus service with adequate time and access for operators to use restroom facilities2 7,b7 protecting bus operators from the risk of assault2 7,c7 eliminating blind spots2 and 7,d7 any additional related safety matters4 7c7 ,membership 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,task ,force shall be composed of #c members as follows3 7,a7 ,the ,chief ,safety ,officer of the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority 7or the ,chief ,safety ,officer's designee74 7,b7 ,the ,deputy ,chief of ,bus and ,metro,access of the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority 7or the ,deputy ,chief's designee74 7,c7 ,the ,president of ,amalgamated ,transit ,union1 ,local #fhi 7or the ,president's designee74 7#b7 ,chair ,the ,chief ,safety ,officer of the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority 7or the ,chief ,safety ,officer's designee7 shall be the ,chair of the ,task ,force4 7#c7 ,meetings ,the ,task ,force shall meet at the call of the ,chair1 but in no event less than #d times per year4 ,any member of the ,task ,force may call a meeting of the ,task ,force if the member provides not fewer than #aj days written notice of the meeting to the other members4 7#d7 ,compensation2 expenses ,the members of the ,task ,force shall receive no salary or other compensation for their services1 but the members shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties4 7d7 ,bus safety program 7#a7 ,reports ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,,wmata ,flexible ,funding and ,safety ,improvement ,act1 the ,task ,force shall issue one or more reports setting forth the recommendations of the ,task ,force with respect to the bus safety program4 7#b7 ,submission ,the ,task ,force shall submit each report issued under this subsection to the ,governor of ,maryland1 the ,governor of ,virginia1 the ,mayor of the ,district of ,columbia1 the ,president of the ,maryland ,senate1 the ,president of the ,virginia ,senate1 the ,speaker of the ,maryland ,house of ,delegates1 the ,speaker of the ,virginia ,house of ,delegates1 and the ,chairman of the ,council of the ,district of ,columbia4 7#c7 ,implementation of material modifications 7,a7 ,in general ,prior to the implementation of any material modification to the bus safety program1 the ,transit ,authority shall provide written notice of the material modification to the ,task ,force4 7,b7 ,review ,upon receipt of written notice of a material modification under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,task ,force shall review the modification at the next meeting of the ,task ,force4 7,c7 ,limitation on statutory construction ,nothing in this paragraph may be construed to preclude or limit the right of the ,transit ,authority to implement a modification to the bus safety program that the ,transit ,authority determines is appropriate to enhance the safety of its employees1 customers1 or third parties4 7e7 ,annual inspection 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,task ,force shall-- 7,a7 conduct an annual inspection of the compliance by the ,transit ,authority with the bus safety program2 and 7,b7 on or before ,july #a1 #bjai1 and each year thereafter1 issue to the ,transit ,authority a report detailing its findings4 7#b7 ,response ,not later than #ij days after the date of receipt of a report under paragraph 7#a71 the ,transit ,authority shall provide written notice to the ,task ,force of the actions of the ,task ,force1 if any1 implemented or to be implemented in response to the report4 7f7 ,definitions ,in this section1 the following definitions apply3 7#a7 ,bus safety program ,the term bus safety program means the bus safety program of the ,transit ,authority4 7#b7 ,task ,force ,the term ,task ,force means the ,thomasine ,maria ,smith ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority ,bus ,safety ,task ,force established under subsection 7a74 7#c7 ,transit ,authority ,the term ,transit ,authority means the ,washington ,metropolitan ,area ,transit ,authority4 4