Metrolink hires safety experts

The Metrolink board of directors on Friday voted to appoint 11 rail industry experts to a safety review panel to analyze the commuter system and make recommendations on how to improve safety.

The board also learned that about half of Metrolink's trains now have an engineer and another set of eyes in the cabs and locomotives. And plans are moving forward to install a temporary automatic train stopping system before state-of-the-art positive train controls are required in several years. Troy Anderson in the Daily News.

Metrolink board vice chairman Keith Millhouse said he's glad Metrolink now has doubled-up staffing in the cabs and locomotives, providing an extra set of eyes to improve safety.

"I understand the practical difficulties (in getting more staff)," Millhouse said. "But I'd like to see that number exceed 90 percent and get those people in there as soon as possible. We'll get the money for it."