Report: (Boston Area Transit)MBTA's Approach To Safety Is 'Questionable'

Report: MBTA's Approach To Safety Is 'Questionable' The MBTA safety panel's report found deficiencies in policies and standards in almost every area it examined in the state's transit system.

The report follows a series of derailments resulted in injuries, delays, unpredictable services and millions of dollars in repair costs. The report follows a series of derailments resulted in injuries, delays, unpredictable services and millions of dollars in repair costs. (Jenna Fischer/Patch)

BOSTON, MA — The MBTA's "approach to safety is questionable," with deficiencies in policies and standards in almost every area examined, according to a report released Monday. The MBTA safety review panel began work on its report in June, after a series of derailments resulted in injuries, delays, unpredictable services and millions of dollars in repair costs.

"While the agency performs the necessary core functions to be considered a relatively safe system, many aspects of the T's approach to safety and operations need immediate attention," the panel wrote in the report's executive summary. "In almost every area we examined, deficiencies in policies, application of safety standards or industry best practices, and accountability were apparent."

In a statement, the MBTA did not dispute the report's findings, saying, for example, the report's finding of lax maintenance on Orange and Red Line cars is "alarming."

"Today's report by the MBTA's Safety Review Panel demonstrates how much work still needs to be done to transform Metro Boston's transit and rail system into one that is modern, reliable, responsive and, most importantly, safe," the statement said. "The T must address the adequacy of its Operating Budget as a priority. The report exposes the danger of a mentality that prizes balanced budgets over performance."

The MBTA is not conducting preventive maintenance and inspections as required. "Over the years, due to shortage of and/or inexperienced leadership, competing priorities and fiscal controls, operational managers have had difficulty identifying what maintenance and inspections need to be done, or have been dropped due to fiscal pressures or lack of staffing," the report said.

The MBTA has "no meaningful" quality assurance and quality control program. "This is another critical function that leadership must implement to establish a sound safety culture," the report said.

The commuter generally fared better in the report than the transit operations, in part because the commuter rail falls under Federal Railroad Administration regulations. "The one area that needs immediate attention is their fatigue management program, which does not contain an effective Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) screening program; however, their management is diligently pursuing this goal," the report said.

Employees do not feel supported and do not trust the MBTA's current leadership. The system is also plagued by communication problems throughout its hierarchy. "The Panel also found that a current culture of blame and retaliation impede the T's ability to achieve a greater level of risk management and safety assurance," the panel wrote. The report, which made 34 recommendations, which contain 61 individual corrective actions, said turnover in the T's leadership and a requirement that management meet 36 times per year has compounded the problem.

"Staff preparation to meet the needs of the Board is overwhelming and leaves staff little if any time to tend to the operation or the maintenance of the system," the report said.

These are the times that try men’s souls
In the course of our nation’s history the people of Boston have rallied bravely whenever the rights of men have been threatened
Today a new crisis has arisen
The Metropolitan Transit Authority, better known as the M.T.A.
Is attempting to levy a burdensome tax on the population in the form of a subway fare increase
Citizens, hear me out, this could happen to you!

Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Charlie
On a tragic and fateful day
He put ten cents in his pocket, kissed his wife and family
Went to ride on the MTA

Well, did he ever return?
No he never returned and his fate is still unlearned (what a pity)
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s the man who never returned

Charlie handed in his dime at the Kendall Square station
And he changed for Jamaica Plain
When he got there the conductor told him, “one more nickel”
Charlie couldn’t get off of that train!

But did he ever return?
No he never returned and his fate is still unlearned (poor old Charlie)
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s the man who never returned

Now, all night long Charlie rides through the station
Crying, “what will become of me?
How can I afford to see my sister in Chelsea
Or my cousin in Roxbury?”

But did he ever return?
No he never returned and his fate is still unlearned (shame and scandal)
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s the man who never returned

Charlie’s wife goes down to the Scollay Square station
Every day at quarter past two
And through the open window she hands Charlie a sandwich
As the train comes rumbling through!

But did he ever return?
No he never returned and his fate is still unlearned (he may ride forever)
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s the man who never returned
Pick it Davey

Kinda hurts my figers

Now, you citizens of Boston, don’t you think it’s a scandal
How the people have to pay and pay?
Fight the fare increase, vote for George O’Brian
Get poor Charlie off the MTA!

Or else he’ll never return
No he’ll never return and his fate is still unlearned (just like Paul Revere)
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston
He’s the man who never returned

He’s the man who never returned
He’s the man who never returned
Et tu, Charlie?

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