Robert A. Clifford’s letter “Railroads indifferent despite verdict” (Voice, March 7) includes comments about Metra’s attitude toward safety and our response to the outcome of the Rachel Barton case that are both misleading and offensive to all of us at Metra.
First, safety. Since Metra’s first full year of operation in 1984, we have provided well over 1 billion safe passenger trips. In our experience, Ms. Barton’s unfortunate accident remains unique. Nothing like it had happened before then nor has happened since. Our safety record speaks for itself. Safe service is our top priority. Any accusation of indifference is an insult to all of us at Metra but especially to the men and women of our train crews who safely provide 290,000 passenger trips every weekday.
Second, Metra’s reaction to the verdict. Metra has not engaged in writing nor called on anyone to submit letters to the editor regarding the lawsuit. Letters criticizing the verdict come from the public unsolicited and not encouraged by Metra. Furthermore we have held no meetings with the Illinois Civil Justice League regarding its efforts to change state law on damages limitation. Nor have we fabricated stories about fare increases to cover that award.
Following the verdict we issued only two brief statements expressing both our disappointment over the amount of the award–and our sympathy and well wishes for Rachel Barton. Our second response said there was no immediate need for a fare increase, as our insurance coverage was adequate beyond our deductible, already covered by reserves. That response also said that the verdict’s long-term impact on such things as insurance premiums remained to be seen. That simply was the most honest way we could put it–and the only proper response at the time.
