A local lawmaker is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the U.S. House and part of the rails subcommittee.  5th District Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty says she will work to make train travel safer in the future, but there needs to be proper funding in place.  She says the bill fails to include adequate levels of funding to implement technology known as positive train control. 

The deadline for all commuter rail to have that in place is by the end of the calendar year.  But she says estimates are only 20-percent will be able to comply with that.

Esty wants passengers to be trained in what to do in case of an emergency or accident, and how to operate the windows as an escape route.