Safety Management Inspection: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
What's New
- Response to Closeout Request for FTA-22-MBTA-CATI-2 (Five-Year Recruitment and Hiring Plan) (May 13, 2025)
- Closeout Letter for FTA Special Directive 22-10 (April 18, 2025)
- Closure of Immediate Action Letter from September 14, 2023 (April 15, 2025)
- Closeout Letter for FTA Special Directive 22-7 (April 7, 2025)
- Response to Closeout Request for FTA-TRA-22-002 (Personnel Safety) (April 3, 2025)
- Response to Closeout Request for FTA-OCC-22-007 (Ensuring that Operations Control Center (OCC) Staff Certifications are Current) (March 27, 2025)
- Response to Closeout Request for FTA-22-MBTA-CAT2-5 (Safety Risk Assessment) (March 19, 2025)
- Response to Closeout Request for FTA-22-MBTA-CAT2-1 (SMS Implementation) (March 19, 2025)
- Response to Closeout Request for FTA-22-MBTA-CAT4-4 (Technical Training) (March 19, 2025)
MBTA and DPU Corrective Actions Tracking Table
FTA's MBTA and DPU Corrective Action Plan (CAP) Tracking Table monitors MBTA and DPU's progress in implementing corrective actions to resolve FTA-identified deficiencies to improve safety for passengers and transit workers.
The table tracks CAPs approved by FTA as well as CAPs assumed by FTA. For each CAP, MBTA and DPU submit a closure request to FTA, then FTA conducts a comprehensive verification process. A CAP will be closed after FTA verifies that MBTA and/or DPU has demonstrated successful implementation.
Closure dates are proposed by MBTA and DPU and accepted by FTA. FTA uses the closure request date to assess the status of each CAP.
Safety Management Inspection
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)
- Special Directive 22-11: Related to the effectiveness of safety communication (August 31, 2022)
- Special Directive 22-10: Related to prioritization of safety management information (August 31, 2022)
- Special Directive 22-9: Related to managing the impact of operations, maintenance, and capital project requirements on the existing workforce (August 31, 2022)
- Special Directive 22-7: Related to lapsed certifications (June 15, 2022)
- Special Directive 22-6: Related to the Operations Control Center (June 15, 2022)
- Special Directive 22-5: Related to vehicle securement of disabled trains (June 15, 2022)
- Special Directive 22-4: Related to track maintenance (June 15, 2022)
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)
- Special Directive 22-8: Related to FTA's Safety Management Inspection conducted at the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (June 15, 2022)
Immediate Action Letters
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Immediate Action Required to Prevent Train Collisions with Workers (September 14, 2023)
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Immediate Action Required to Protect Workers on Right-of-Way (April 18, 2023)
- Resubmission Required for Right of Way (ROW) Rules Compliance and Safety Work Plan (May 19, 2023)
- Conditional Approval of Revised Right of Way (ROW) Rules Compliance and Safety Work Plan (June 9, 2023)
- Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Immediate Action Acceptance of Proposed Modification for Work Crew Access for Upcoming “Surge” Diversion (October 6, 2023)
- Closure of Immediate Action Letter from April 18, 2023 (January 5, 2024)
- Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Immediate Action Required to Address Safe Movement of Disabled Trains (July 28, 2022)
- Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority Approval of Standdown Training Action Plan (September 28, 2022)
Letters of Concern
- Maintenance Vehicle Derailments Letter of Concern (September 12, 2024)