MTA to Study Policy of Paying Safety Bonuses to Contractors
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, under criticism from one of its own board members, will review its policy for doling out millions of dollars in “safety bonuses” to contractors on the troubled rail construction project.
“We want a thorough review, and we want an explanation,” said an aide to Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, who asked for the review at Wednesday’s meeting of the MTA board because he said there are questions that “must be answered.”
The House Transportation Committee began an investigation into the issue last week after The Times reported that the MTA has paid millions of dollars in safety bonuses to rail contractors, despite a history of spectacular accidents on the project and safety records that often fall below national norms.
One Northern California congressman has urged an end in federal transit funding to any agencies nationwide that use the bonus system.
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