There is no question that MBTA operators have the primary responsibility for passenger safety on the Green Line.
Whether it’s to prohibit cell phone use, implement better hiring practices or better training, we are fully supportive of very high standards for operator safety and professionalism.
But there is a bigger issue here . . . Where is the MBTA’s commitment for a safer operation on the Green Line?
Each time there is a serious accident, T management conveniently checks the box and quickly attributes the accident to operator error . . .Then management issues a new directive and they close the file.
The truth is that the T’ commitment to safety is lacking, if there was a true commitment to safety, we would not be running the Green Line on an antiquated signal system.
Today technology solutions exist that would prevent these types of accidents from occurring. Fail Safe signal systems are the railroad standard throughout the world.
The Green Line should have a modern signal system designed to ensure passenger safety and prevent collisions. How many more serious accidents need to occur before the T makes the investment?
When it comes to passenger safety, MBTA operators should be held to very high standards . . . But T management should be held to the same high standards. With the technology available today there is no excuse for not equipping the Green Line with a Fail Safe signal system.
This is particularly important because the Green Line has more trains traveling through its tunnels in less time than anywhere else in the country. Yet, it is the only major subway system without a Fail Safe signaling system.
