"We don't accept the idea that cab cars are unsafe," said Denise Tyrrell, a Metrolink spokesperson. "They are as safe as they can possibly be made."
In recommending the ban, the committee cited Metrolink's crash history and a federal emergency order issued in 1996 after two accidents on the East Coast involving trains pushed by engines. Twelve people died and hundreds were hurt.
Cab car-related collisions "do present an increased risk of severe personal injury or death when compared with locomotive-hauled service," the federal order stated. However, rail operators cite a recent federal study that suggests there is only a slight difference in the risk of an accident between pulling and pushing a train with a locomotive.
Frommer's committee concluded that commuter lines could eliminate push operations by installing track and switch layouts that would allow trains to be turned around at the ends of lines. Dummy engines or weighted cars also could be placed at the front of trains to act as buffers in crashes. The so-called cabbage cars are used in Washington state.
Until more substantial steps can be taken, the panel said, passenger seating should be limited in the front rows of cab cars. Metrolink already bans passengers from the first 27 feet of those coaches.
Frommer called for a three-year phase-out of push operations -- a step, he contends, that Metrolink and other lines can afford.
He said that if they did not do it voluntarily, he would seek legislation.
"This is what I wanted. I'm amazed the committee came across as strong as it did," said Ann Ormiston, the widow of Tom Ormiston, a veteran Metrolink conductor who was killed in the crash near Glendale. "It's good to see that my husband's long-standing concerns are being addressed."
Commuter rail officials contend that turnaround tracks at the end of lines are expensive or impossible because land is limited or unavailable in urban areas. Also, turning trains around requires about 10 minutes and could take trains out of service hours each day, raising operational costs.
They say that cabbage cars -- old locomotives ballasted with concrete -- are not that easy to find in reasonable condition and would increase maintenance requirements.
"If pull operations are used exclusively, this could result in millions of dollars of additional operating costs, including equipment and personnel that would have to be funded," said Greg Hull, director of operations, safety and security for the industry's American Public Transit Assn.
Rail officials agreed, however, with the committee's recommendations to improve railroad crossings statewide, such as using better gates and barriers and building corridors that are sealed off from motor vehicles.
Since 1991, about 812 of the state's 11,000 grade crossings have been eliminated by various state and local safety programs. The committee report stated that because of funding restrictions, only about four grade separation projects can now be done each year.
"We are incredibly encouraged by Frommer's support for grade-crossing programs. We are 100% behind him on that," Tyrrell said.
"We need more than just strengthening passenger cars."
