Public transportation in the Washington metropolitan area is taking assertive steps to ensure the safety of its riders. According to DC News Now, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has implemented a new policy that bans individuals convicted of sex crimes or assaults within the system from utilizing its buses and trains for more than a mere 24 hours.
In a move designed to keep repeat offenders off Metro property, the prohibition periods can now extend up to a full year, a significant increase over the previous maximum of just one day. Details obtained from NBC Washington indicate that the ban also applies to anyone who violates Metro's Passenger Conduct Rule or commits any assault against a Metro employee, contractor, or customer, covering a spectrum of infractions both severe and relatively minor.
The extensions to the ban policy came into effect today, offering Metro police additional leverage against those who endanger the transit system's sense of security and practicality.
