Metrolink Revises Procedures After Accident

A week after a Metrolink engineer sped a commuter train through a change of tracks, injuring three passengers, transit officials announced Tuesday the revision of accident procedures to make clear the duties of crew members after an accident.

Officials were forced to review Metrolink’s emergency procedures after several passengers jostled in the Jan. 23 incident were not checked by crew members. Many had been thrown from their seats and bruised after an engineer misread a sign between the Glendale and Burbank stations and sped through a change of tracks.

“There was mostly a communications lag,” said Peter Hidalgo, the Metrolink spokesman. Conductors who should have checked on all passengers thought it more appropriate to stay with those that were injured until paramedics arrived, he said. As a result, Hidalgo said, some passengers were overlooked.

“Our crews know what to do in the event of an emergency. . . . The crew members did not follow proper procedure for whatever reason. Based on the situation, they felt they were doing whatever they could,” Hidalgo said.

Officials said Metrolink stages drills to simulate disasters such as earthquakes, but the speeding incident was the first such mishap in Metrolink’s 27-month history. He added that Metrolink is planning additional drills to better prepare train crews.

Steve Alperson of West Hills, who rides Metrolink each day, criticized Metrolink’s handling of the accident. He said he banged his head against a window when the train shook, and a man sitting next to him was thrown to the floor.

“We were waiting for emergency response, (but) no one ever came through to see if everyone was OK,” said Alperson, 39.

The train’s engineer, whose name has not been made public, admitted driving the train 20 m.p.h. faster than the speed limit for a change of tracks.

He has been placed on a 45-day administrative leave and will have to be accompanied by a supervisor when he returns.

“The engineer will (also) go through a reinforcement training on rules,” Hidalgo said.