AP via ABC News, 3/2:
Boston Commuter Rail System Operator Fined Over Snow DelaysBOSTON — The company that operates the state's commuter rail system has been fined more than $434,000 after nearly two-thirds of the trains were late or canceled during the heavy snowfalls that pounded the region last month, transit officials said Monday.
Keolis Commuter Services had an on-time performance rate of roughly 35 percent, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said. The poor performance warranted the maximum fine allowed under the company's contract with the state, the MBTA said.
Keolis disputed the fine, describing the unprecedented February snowfalls as acts of nature out of its control that resulted in the suspension of service, train delays and train cancellations because the weather caused portions of the commuter rail property to be substantially unusable.
"We are not trying to make excuses, but we are explaining that there are issues and we are trying to work through them," company spokeswoman Leslie Aun said.
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