Federal inspectors say MBTA safety issues require immediate remedy
BOSTON – Green Line service was back to normal Wednesday after it was briefly suspended overnight between Park Street and Government Center following an incident involving two trains. The latest incident involving the T comes as federal transit leaders said Wednesday safety issues at the MBTA require "immediate remedy."
According to the MBTA, two trains "unintentionally coupled" on the Government Center platform at a low rate of speed late Tuesday night.
Passengers were forced to get off a train and walk through the tunnel back to the Park Street station. No injuries have been reported.
Two weeks ago, four MBTA workers were hurt when a pair of trains collided near Government Center, causing both to derail. Investigators said one of the trains did not stop at a red signal area and was going 2 MPH over the speed limit.
The Federal Transit Administration has been working to address safety concerns regarding the MBTA.
"There are a range of issues, all of which need immediate remedy," Paul Kincaid of the FTA said on Wednesday.
They have already highlighted four areas the T needs to improve on them. That includes staffing at the operations control center, train yard safety measures, track maintenance that's behind schedule, and updated certifications for MBTA workers.
"We'll be ordering both the MBTA and the Department of Public Utilities to address these critical safety deficiencies immediately. In addition, the FTA will continue with the safety management inspection and take all other needed actions resulting from its findings," Kincaid said.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the city needs to prioritize improving the MBTA.
"When we continue to see reminders of how old the system is, it's just quite concerning," Wu said. "We have an older system, and we need to put in the funding and the investments to update and improve it, otherwise we'll continue being stuck here in this situation."
Commuters expressed their frustration as well.
"At this point it's like, I'd rather take an electric scooter or even walk even if it'll take a little longer," Jordan Rinaldi said.