Within days of calling on Class I Railroads to join a Close Call Reporting system, all freight railroads have agreed to sign on to the program.

A U.S. Department of Transportation spokesperson said all seven freight railroads informed Secretary Pete Buttigieg of their decision to join the Close Call Reporting system Thursday.

The program encourages employees to report safety hazards including conditions that could lead to derailments by protecting whistleblowers when they come forward.

The freight railroad companies were first called on to join the program on February 20.

The railroads joining the system follow a new track inspection program on routes that carry hazardous materials which will begin in East Palestine and expand nationwide.

New legislation that addresses rail accountability has also been introduced in the Senate.