Metra employees will now be able to anonymously report operating-rule violations or errors to that have an impact on safety.
Leaders of the transit system and its unions signed an agreement Thursday with the Federal Railroad Administration to adopt a "Confidential Close-Call Reporting System."
The Railroad administration has promoted adopting the system among a handful of railroads. It allows employees to anonymously report "close calls" - near-accidents or injuries because of rule violations or other safety concerns. In turn, they do not face sanction by Metra or the federal government.
Officials say the programs intent is to allow authorities to collect data showing accidents or near-accidents so they can take corrective steps with better training, changes to safety rules or operating procedures.
