LOS ANGELES, CA, January 21, 2010: Today, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) presented its findings regarding the September 2008 collision between a Metrolink train and a Union Pacific freight train. Following an exhaustive investigation, the Board determined that the accident's probable cause was the failure of the Connex engineer of Metrolink train 111 to observe and appropriately respond to the warning signals and red light preceding the accident because he was engaged in text messaging - a violation of Metrolink policies and the railroad General Code of Operating Rules.

The NTSB characterized the Connex engineer's actions, which directly led to 25 fatalities and numerous injuries, as "egregious" efforts to evade safety and operating rules that revealed a disturbing pattern of "willful misbehavior."

The Board also determined that the following factors did not play a role in the accident: Metrolink's signal system, dispatch system, equipment, training and experience, track conditions, alcohol or illegal drug use of crewmembers, weather, crew fatigue, the engineer's medical conditions or treatment and operation of the Union Pacific train.

The NTSB directed its forward-looking safety recommendations to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). They recommended that the FRA require the implementation of video and audio recording systems in the control cabs of all train locomotives nationwide - a clear affirmation of Metrolink's precedent-setting installation of inward-facing video cameras in October 2009 as part of its multi-layered public safety program. In presenting its findings, the NTSB underscored that "safety of the traveling public clearly outweighs privacy."

"While this meeting focused attention on the probable causes that led to the tragic accident and recommendations to prevent future occurrences, we are ever mindful of the devastating impact this event took on those who lost friends, family and loved ones," said Keith Millhouse, Metrolink Board Chairman. "Today's NTSB presentation validated Metrolink's decision to become the first railroad in the nation to install inward-facing video cameras in our locomotive fleet. We hope that other railroads will follow our lead in implementing this important technology in the name of public safety."

"Immediately after the accident we implemented a comprehensive public safety program - we did not wait for any direction to act in the best interest of our passengers," said Richard Katz, Metrolink Board Vice Chairman. "These include establishing an independent Commuter Rail Safety Review Panel comprised of national experts; significantly increasing our efficiency testing program to more than 3,000 tests per month; preparing for the arrival of new state-of-the-art Crash Energy Management-equipped cars which provide much greater protection for our passengers and crewmembers, and augmenting our contractor oversight, safety and compliance staff. And importantly, given the failures of the Connex engineer and his insufficient oversight by Connex management, we did not renew our operations contract with Connex and instead pursued Amtrak to replace them."

The NTSB also indicated that had a fully implemented Positive Train Control (PTC) system been available and in place, it would have intervened and the collision would not have occurred.

"Metrolink is again leading the industry by executing an accelerated strategy to meet the goal of implementing PTC by 2012, three years ahead of the federal mandate, stated Eric Haley, Metrolink Chief Executive Officer. "The fact is that PTC is not an 'off the shelf' technology and a system meeting the requirements our of multiple railroad operators on a shared system (Amtrak, BNSF, UP) is only now being developed. We have been putting the incremental steps in place to build the foundation for a PTC system, which will help expedite its implementation once it is ready for our market. Importantly - we are still aggressively pursuing the additional $107 million needed for us to implement this system and look to our state and federal leaders to make this critical infrastructure investment."

Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its 17th year of operations. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority, a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. The agency currently contracts with Connex Railroad, LLC for the personnel that operate, supervise and manage Metrolink commuter rail service. Metrolink continues to be one of the nation's fastest growing commuter rail services, operating over seven routes through a six-county 512 route-mile network.