Within the past five years alone, Metro has dolled out about $173 million in claims, and this sum includes the lawsuit payments made over the 2009 Red Line crash which occurred at Fort Totten. This amount is equivalent to 3% of the yearly operating budget, and although it seems high, “The Red Line claims aside, the amounts are consistent with those other major transit properties and are the cost of business,” said Metro spokesperson Caroline Lukas.
These claims incidents arise not just from Metro rail riders but also pedestrians who get injured by Metro vehicles, under worker’s compensation cases, and in other such occurrences where Metro is forced to pay settlements. Although the agency is already paying for insurance in addition to these claims, the premium has gone up ever since the Fort Totten crash and annual payments are now estimated at nearly $12 million.
