Ruppersberger to Introduce “Commuters’ Bill of Rights”

Congressman to Require Mass Transit Operators to Provide Food, Water, and Critical Information to Passengers on Disabled Transit

 
(Baltimore, MD) – In light of the recent mishaps on MARC trains, Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) will introduce the federal “Commuter’s Bill of Rights” to protect the safety and comfort of passengers riding mass transit. 

The “Commuter’s Bill of Rights” requires public transit operators to:

• Provide food, water, restrooms, ventilation, medical services, and critical information to passengers on a disabled train or other form of public transportation
• Give passengers a time frame for when they will be allowed to exit a disabled or delayed vehicle
• Distribute information about how they will be redirected to their final destination in a timely manner
• Submit an emergency plan to the Department of Transportation or face a fine 

A consumer hotline will also be established for passenger complaints.

On June 21, 2010, more than 900 MARC commuters were left stranded on a stalled train for more than two hours in terrible conditions. Passengers including babies, pregnant women and senior citizens were left on the train with no ventilation or access to water when power failed between Union Station and the New Carrollton stations. Prince George’s County Fire and Rescue treated ten passengers for heat-related illness.  Three people were transported to the hospital, according to media reports.  Since, a series of other MARC disruptions have frustrated passengers and officials, including a train that missed a stop due to a conductor’s error.

“Public transportation must be safe, reliable, convenient, and affordable for it to be effective,” said Congressman Ruppersberger, a long-time advocate of mass transit who frequently rides the MARC train to and from his office in Washington, D.C.  “The Commuters’ Bill of Rights will establish important guidelines to improve the quality of mass transit service in Maryland and across the country.”

Who:       Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD)
                Maryland Transportation Officials
                Commuters

What:      Congressman Ruppersberger to Introduce “Commuters’ Bill of Rights”

When:     10:30 a.m., Friday, July 2, 2010

Where:    The BWI MARC Station
                7 Amtrak Way
                Linthicum Heights, MD 21090