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Yesterday, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) board adopted a three-part resolution that places safety at the forefront of the agency’s mission. The board also defined its role in safety and reliability oversight, and created a safety and security committee.

The board’s actions implement a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendation, which called for WMATA to exercise greater oversight of system safety, alter its mission statement, and evaluate the staff’s response to NTSB and Federal Transit Administration recommendations and Tri-State Oversight Committee audits.

“With this resolution, we’ve ... created a framework to enhance the board’s role in safety oversight,” said WMATA Chairman Peter Benjamin in a prepared statement. “The challenge now is to implement these processes and enhance safety throughout the authority, for our passengers, our employees and the public.”

The agency’s new mission statement reads: “Metro operates and maintains a safe, reliable and effective transit system that enhances mobility, improves the quality of life and stimulates economic development in the Washington metropolitan area.”

The new safety and security committee — which includes each board member — will provide continual oversight to ensure that all WMATA facilities, equipment and operations are safe and secure for passengers, employees and the public, agency officials said.

The committee will meet monthly and make recommendations for board adoption.