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Sen. Blumenthal Calls For Action Report On Metro-North Derailment

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is calling on Metro-North Railroad officials to investigate Wednesday night's derailment at Grand Central and to provide a report on how such incidents can be avoided in the future. 

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal

Photo Credit: File
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer

Photo Credit: Sen. Schumer

“No derailment is a minor derailment. Much more than a minor inconvenience, this disturbing multiple car derailment delays and disrupts travel for countless riders," Blumenthal said in a statement. "The derailment, fairly or not, recalls past incidents renewing concerns about safety and reliability."

The 5:19 p.m. train to Wassaic was departing a Grand Central platform when it derailed Wednesday. No injuries were reported, and all passengers were able to evacuate the train. But the incident created serious delays for thousands of Connecticut and New York commuters on all three lines of Metro-North. 

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) joined Blumenthal in calling for a report on the accident. 

“The most recent Metro-North derailment outside of Grand Central Station demonstrates that we are not fully on track toward a satisfactory record of safety on the Metro-North,” Schumer said in a statement. “I am urging the Metro-North to fully and quickly investigate this accident, report back its findings and develop any further recommendations to avoid such an accident in the future.”

Both Democratic senators were quick to praise Metro-North officials for recent improvements in the "safety of culture" within the commuter rail, but also noted that the derailment is further proof that more needs to be done. 

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