LA mayor rides train, reassures commuters

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says riding the city's commuter trains is still safe despite a collision that killed 25 passengers last week.

Villaraigosa and Mertrolink board vice chairman Keith Millhouse boarded a Ventura County-bound train Monday during the first workday after Friday's rush hour disaster, saying taking the train is still safer than negotiating Los Angeles' crowded freeways, The Los Angeles Times reported.

"I want to dispel any fears about taking the train," Villaraigosa said. "Safety has to be our No. 1 concern. Taking the train is still the safest option for commuters."

A Metrolink spokewoman Saturday said an error by its train engineer resulted in the crash, in which the commuter train collided head-on with an oncoming freight. Spokeswoman Denise Tyrrell resigned Sunday after railroad officials said she had spoken prematurely.

Investigators focused their investigation Sunday on whether a signal that should have told the Metrolink engineer to stop was working properly, and whether it was ignored, the newspaper said.

Forty of the 135 passengers injured in the collision remained hospitalized in critical condition.