Since January of 2005, CTA el trains have derailed 13 times. The rate of CTA subway train derailments is higher than of the New York and Washington, DC subway systems combined. Following each derailment, the root cause is examined by the National Transportation Safety Board, and they have to find a cause of the derailment. For example, with regard to the 2006 Blue Line derailment, they found that poor maintenance was the root cause of the derailment. That derailment left passengers in a situation where they had to exit cars into smoke-filled tunnels to try to find a place of safety.A long history of neglect of maintenance has placed the CTA in a tough position as it faces tough budgetary times. It has a legal obligation to exercise the highest degree of care for the safety of its passengers, but lacks the resources to meet that legal obligation by making sure that the tracks are properly inspected and repaired as needed.In the end, CTA el trains will continue to derail, and the CTA will continue to pay claims instead of paying for repairs.