FRA should investigate MTA's PTC implementation, senator says

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is calling for a federal investigation into a Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) equipment "glitch" that might interrupt positive train control (PTC) implementation at both Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road.

Schumer's call follows MTA's disclosure last week that its PTC installation hit a snag when more than 4,000 installed scanner antennas were faulty and had to be recalled, then replaced. The devices are designed to ensure PTC is operable on the tracks.

As a result, the senator called on the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to investigate the MTA's PTC installation mishap so that it doesn't happen again, according to a press release issued by Schumer's office.

"The FRA should be tasked with taking a hard look at the quality controls and communication methods that are in place to ensure money is not wasted and the installation not botched again," said Schumer. "The goal should be a full install [of PTC] ASAP."
 
The pace of both railroads' PTC implementation is "unacceptable as the railroads should be at 100 percent by now,” he said.