Safety Management Inspection: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities

FTA released its Safety Management Inspection report of the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities after a 2 1/2-month inspection that began in mid-April. The Safety Management Inspection focused on the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority’s processes, procedures, and resources for safety decision-making and the role of the Department of Public Utilities in overseeing the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority’s safety performance. Findings identify areas that require continued attention and increased resources by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority to prioritize safety and ensure system maintenance.

Special Directives to MBTA

Each of these are required actions to address findings from FTA’s Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. 

• Special Directive 22-12: Related to operating conditions and policies, procedures and training (August 31, 2022)
  • FTA Correspondences to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for Special Directive 22-12: Operating Conditions and Policies, Procedures, and Training
• Special Directive 22-11: Related to the effectiveness of safety communication (August 31, 2022)
  • FTA Correspondences to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for Special Directive 22-11: Effectiveness of Safety Communication
• Special Directive 22-10: Related to prioritization of safety management information (August 31, 2022)
  • FTA Correspondences to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for Special Directive 22-10: Prioritization of Safety Management Information
• Special Directive 22-9: Related to managing the impact of operations, maintenance, and capital project requirements on the existing workforce (August 31, 2022)
  • FTA Correspondences to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for Special Directive 22-9: Managing the Impact of Operations, Maintenance, and Capital Project Requirements on the Existing Workforce
• Special Directive 22-7: Related to lapsed certifications (June 15, 2022) 
  • FTA Correspondences to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for Special Directive 22-7: Lapsed Certifications
• Special Directive 22-6: Related to the Operations Control Center (June 15, 2022) 
  • FTA Correspondences to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for Special Directive 22-6: Operations Control Center
• Special Directive 22-5: Related to vehicle securement of disabled trains (June 15, 2022)
  • FTA Correspondences to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for Special Directive 22-5: Vehicle Securement of Disabled Trains
• Special Directive 22-4: Related to track maintenance (June 15, 2022) 
  • FTA Correspondences to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority for Special Directive 22-4: Track Maintenance

Special Directives to DPU

• Special Directive 22-13: Related to FTA's Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (August 31, 2022)
  • FTA Correspondences to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities for Special Directive 22-13
• Special Directive 22-8: Related to FTA's Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (June 15, 2022) 
  • FTA Correspondences to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities for Special Directive 22-8

Immediate Action Letters

• Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Immediate Action Required to Address Safe Movement of Disabled Trains
• Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Approval of Standdown Training Action Plan