MBTA Internal Investigation Results: Safety First

Posted by: Richard Davey, MassDOT Rail & Transit Division Administrator and MBTA General Manager

Dear T riders,

Today the MBTA moved to take swift action in response to the results of an internal investigation that unveiled alteration of maintenance records for at least 200 buses in our fleet.  First, I want to assure all bus riders that our buses are safe.  As soon as the reporting alterations were uncovered we moved to perform safety inspections on our entire fleet of buses and confirmed that every bus where records were altered has since been thoroughly inspected, are safe and have not been involved in any prior accidents. In addition, our buses go through several redundant inspections for this reason.

The actions taken by this group of T employees appear to have taken place over a period of years prior to our management of the MBTA and are absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.  As a result of the investigation, we have fired eight bus operations employees, including three superintendents, who admitted to altering records. 

These incidents go back years and are part of a culture at the T that we are committed to changing.  The Governor, Secretary and I have been clear: our top priorities are safety, for our employees and for T riders, and customer service.  Any action that is taken that compromises safety will not be tolerated and will be dealt with immediately.

Finally, I want to say that the actions of these individuals that were fired should not be taken as an indictment on the vast majority of T employees who show up every day and work hard to keep the T running.  The fact that this activity was uncovered and reported by MBTA veteran employees who are dedicated to the performance of their duties must be recognized, and I want our employees to know we value their hard work but will take action again any employees who will compromise safety and the reputation of their colleagues.

Comments

[Bruce Cherry]

Thank you very much Mr.Davey, MBTA is a well manages transit agency and I'm very proud to have you as our General Manager, MBTA buses are safe and and what you have stated was well understood, again thank you for a job well done.