Media Statement: Green Line Derailment

BOSTON, October 17, 2024— TransitMatters is deeply disappointed to learn that the recent Green Line derailment resulted from excessive speed and operational negligence. This incident underscores the need for the MBTA to reinforce strict adherence to safety protocols across all levels of its operations.

We strongly urge the MBTA to commit to a thorough review of its training and operational oversight to ensure that all operators follow established safety rules. The safety of riders and employees alike must remain a top priority, and these incidents must be prevented at all costs.

While operator negligence appears to have been a key factor in this derailment, we hope that the MBTA is also examining the low-speed design of the switch where this event occurred. A design review could lead to adjustments that accommodate higher operating speeds, improving efficiency on the line and reducing the risk of future incidents.

Additionally, this derailment highlights the urgent need for the long-overdue overhaul of the Green Line’s signal system. An upgraded system would likely have mitigated the overspeed that led to this derailment and could prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. Signal modernization must remain a top priority for the T, which requires sustained financial and operational commitment.

Lastly, we caution the MBTA against implementing performative or reactionary "safety measures" that would unnecessarily disrupt service on the Green Line without addressing core issues. Genuine improvements come from long-term, sustainable solutions, not quick fixes.

The MBTA’s funding model is fundamentally flawed. Without a shift toward long-term, stable financing, the T will continue to face challenges in completing the safety upgrades that are so clearly needed. We call on our leaders to provide the resources necessary to keep our transit system safe, reliable, and efficient for all riders.

For media inquiries, please e-mail media@transitmatters.org.

Photo Credit: James Wang

Media Statement: TransitMatters’ Reaction to MBTA Safety Reports

BOSTON, September 7, 2023 —  This is a good first step for transparency, and it also highlights the need for more stable MBTA funding. The report clearly demonstrates why the Legislature’s failure to properly fund operations, including maintenance, in a timely manner and before a crisis contributes to safety issues.

What's missing here is real accountability. While the problems may have been systemic, the failure to make staffing changes undermines credibility in the system. The General Manager spoke about rebuilding a number of things, but “trust” was not one of them. However, after the Orange Line failed to provide the promised results, riders’ faith in the effectiveness of upcoming diversions is lacking.

We have seen numerous reports on T safety in the past, riders need to know that this will be different. Having the same staff who oversaw the deterioration of the system escape any meaningful accountability is not going to rebuild trust or move us forward.

For media inquiries, please e-mail media@transitmatters.org. 

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Media Statement: MBTA Global Speed Restrictions

BOSTON, March 10, 2023 —  TransitMatters commends the MBTA General Manager for being transparent with riders about the issues with track conditions and quickly acting out of an abundance of caution. We are also happy to see that new leadership at the Department of Public Utilities is stepping up oversight efforts after decades of inaction. Steps like these are critical to regaining rider confidence and FTA approval.

However, riders deserve quality service. Riders are unfairly bearing the burden of decades of neglect and underfunding. It is critical that leaders on Beacon Hill treat the T's issues as an emergency. The system is in crisis and, nearly a year after the FTA notified the agency that they would be taking over safety oversight, no end is in sight.

The T must be transparent about the schedule for restoring service back to pre-pandemic levels. The slow zones, poorly run diversions, and long headways are untenable. The MBTA has cut bus service for a year and a half and subway service for a year with no timetable to increase service. This is unacceptable and risks permanently driving away ridership.

Accountability is also sorely lacking. Pending the results of the investigation, those in charge of signing off on inspection reports must be held responsible. Riders deserve an active and engaged board that listens to their concerns. The administration should quickly appoint new members to the Board, and reform the rules to ensure the Board provides expertise, accountability and oversight similar to the previous Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB).

The region cannot grow its economy equitably, and the Healey Administration cannot achieve its stated carbon emissions reductions goals, without a highly functioning transit system. We urge the Administration and the Legislature to commit to continued transparency and accountability, and provide the MBTA with the resources it needs, in order to ensure a more reliable service that respects its riders and responds to the region’s mobility needs.

For media inquiries, please e-mail media@transitmatters.org. 

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