A hair-raising incident on the MBTA's Orange Line has raised fresh concerns about the system's safety protocols. Earlier this month, a group of workers had a near miss with an oncoming train due to what officials say was a "procedural violation" by the train operator. The incident occurred near Tufts Medical Center and Chinatown, where workers were forced to quickly evacuate the tracks to avoid being hit. Remarkably, no one was injured in the incident which has now triggered an internal investigation by MBTA, WHDH reported.
The close call was captured on video, showing the workers leaping to safety just in time. The frightening footage shows one worker pressing into the wall's indent to escape harm as the train barrels past. The other is seen bending over, presumably in relief, as the train continues to the station. This adds to a series of safety issues that have plagued Boston's rail system and follows repeated warnings from federal regulators to the embattled transit authority. "A procedural violation by the train operator" is being blamed for the near-miss, according to details released in Boston 25 News.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has responded to the ongoing issues by mandating the MBTA to report any near-miss incidents within a two-hour window. Additionally, the authority is required to provide a detailed explanation within four business days if it fails to promptly report such events to the Department of Public Utilities, which oversees MBTA's safety practices. Other directives from the FTA include a prohibition on solo work on train rights-of-way and comprehensive training for dispatchers and supervisors, as well as enforcing a strict verification protocol to confirm communication between site workers and control centers.
While no injuries were reported in this recent ordeal, the MBTA insists that safety is its utmost concern. Nevertheless, these repeated incidents suggest a troubling pattern, prompting further action by regulatory bodies. The outcome of the MBTA's investigation into this close call is highly anticipated as they work to enhance safety measures and regain public trust. It is one of several steps taken following a derailment that affected the Green Line's service near Kenmore. These changes were ordered as MBTA continues to grapple with near-miss incidents, underscoring the need for a more robust safety culture within Boston's public transit system. The story is developing and more updates are expected as information becomes available.
