The District Chronicles

Issue date: 8/2/09 Section: Cover

Catoe tells riders the steps are being take to prevent a repeat of last month's accident.

The Red line Metro rail train crash between the Fort Totten and Takoma stations happened on June 22, leaving many commuters jittery. But not 19-year-old Brittany Clark. Every morning, Clark walks to the Shaw Howard Metro station in Northwest DC for a short ride to her job at the Department of Energy near L'Enfant Plaza on the Green Line.

For Clark, the crash that left nine people dead was just an accident and not an indication that the entire Metro system has failed the public. And Metro ridership levels have proven this.

Metro records indicate that the day after the crash, ridership went down more than 25,000 people. But since then, more riders have boarded the trains 14 out of 24 days than the day of the crash. For example, on July 4, ridership was up by more than 30,000 compared to July 4, 2008.

"The crash didn't change my feelings, I still have to ride it," Clark said.

Like Clark, many teenagers don't drive, and therefore opting out of riding the Metro is not an option. Zuri Dority and Desiree Cheeks, both 17, don't have qualms about riding the Metro.

Metro isn't perfect but it is very efficient, said Dority. Cheeks doesn't have problems with the subway either, but she feels Metro acted irresponsibly prior to the crash.

"Metro was a little stupid because they didn't phase out the old cars and get rid of them, and they didn't listen to warnings about the lack of modernization," Dority said.

She would feel even better if officials would implement monthly checkups on the tracks - and not just when something happens. "Metro should consider remodeling the cars so that when something hits them, it would bounce off instead of piling up like the crash," she said.

While teenagers aren't too concerned, some parents are. Edwinda Castleberry, mother of a 16-year -old daughter, said she is a little bit apprehensive.

"The thought is always in the back of my mind now," she said. "You just have to say your prayers when riding and hope that all goes well."

Still, Castleberry also rides the Metro for the convenience of not having to find parking and pay expensive fees. A native of New York, Castleberry feels confident that Metro will make the necessary changes to improve the rails.

Continued...

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