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

Podcast 29 - Transit Advocacy with Rafael Mares from the Conservation Law Foundation

We're joined in studio by prominent Boston transit advocate Rafael Mares, Vice President and Director of Healthy Communities and Environmental Justice for the Conservation Law Foundation. CLF has been instrumental in improving access and mobility for MBTA users, including holding the state to transit project commitments they've tried to wiggle out of.

We discuss the current state of transit operations and investment, the Control Board and politics, the fate of long-awaited projects such the Green Line Extension, the Big Dig legacy, and much more. This episode was recorded on May 16 in the studios of WMBR 88.1 FM in Cambridge, engineered by Scott Mullen.  Find Rafael Mares online at @RafaelMares2 or CLF.

TransitMatters advocates for fast, frequent, reliable and effective public transportation in and around Boston. As part of our vision to repair, upgrade and expand the MBTA transit network, we aim to elevate the conversation around transit issues by offering new perspectives, uniting transit advocates and promoting a level of critical analysis normally absent from other media.

Like what you hear? Share it around, tell your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to the blog and podcast (on iTunes) to be notified of new posts and episodes. Support our work by becoming a member, making a donation or signing up to volunteer because we can't do this alone. Let us know what you think: connect with TransitMatters on Facebook or Twitter. Follow Jeremy Mendelson @Critical Transit, Josh Fairchild @hatchback31, Jarred Johnson @jarjoh, Marc Ebuña @DigitalSciGuy, Scott Mullen @mixmastermully or email us here.

Podcast 24 - Rich Davey, Former MBTA GM & Secretary of Transportation

Former MBTA General Manager and MassDOT Secretary, Rich Davey joins us to reflect on his experience and share insight into the current challenges and opportunities facing the T.

Why has the service become so unreliable? Will we ever plan for and implement system upgrades? How can we better use our existing services and resources? Are the labor and management needs being met? How can the T communicate more effectively as well as advocate for itself and the needs of riders? Can we do effective regional planning and forge a working relationship with advocates and cities? How do we raise revenue, and should that be a priority? We finally put to rest the argument over the word annual: whether fares are legally allowed to rise by 5 or 10 percent. And much more.

Prior to running the MBTA, Rich Davey was the General Manager of the Commuter Rail operator. We talk about activating the Fairmount Line and some other ways to improve the Commuter Rail. How might more effective regional planning enable the Commuter Rail to address local and regional transportation challenges?

Transit Matters is a non-profit organization working for fast, frequent, reliable and effective transportation in Boston by elevating the conversation on transportation. By offering new perspectives, uniting transit advocates and promoting a level of critical analysis normally absent from other media, we can achieve a useful and effective transportation network because Transit Matters.

Like what you hear? Share it around, tell your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to the blog and podcast (on iTunes) to be notified of new posts and episodes. Support our work by becoming a member, making a donation or signing up to volunteer because we can't do this alone. Let us know what you think: connect with TransitMatters on Facebook or Twitter. Follow Jeremy Mendelson @Critical Transit, Josh Fairchild @hatchback31, Jarred Johnson @jarjoh, Marc Ebuña @DigitalSciGuy, or email us here.