MBTA/Green Line Crash in subway tunnel; many hurt, Engineer Texting :( Options

[AlanB]

Actually when they are in the tunnel, they don't have to collect fares. Fare control is handled as you enter the stations. Operators only have to deal with fare collection outside of the tunnels.

As for the signals, it's an old system of red, green, and yellow lights. There is no form of ATS associated with the signals, it's up to the operators to follow the signal aspects correctly and be familiar with the speed limits and complying with same.

And I agree, no one should be texting while driving anything, train, car, bus, or airplane.

[EvergreenRailfan]

As for the signals, it's an old system of red, green, and yellow lights. There is no form of ATS associated with the signals, it's up to the operators to follow the signal aspects correctly and be familiar with the speed limits and complying with same.

All the more reason to stay off the cell-phone while at the controls. On the Seattle Transit Blog, a poster who says they are a King County Metro LINK Operator mentioned Metro policy. No cell phone use while on duty, unless the radio is broken, and if that happens, stop the train and step out of the cab to make the call.

[KevinKorell]

From Boston, MA Globe, 5/12/09:

Trolley operator in Green Line crash said to be 'extremely remorseful'

The operator of the Green Line trolley involved in last week's crash is "extremely remorseful" about the accident and still in "substantial pain" from the injuries he suffered in the accident, which include a shattered wrist, his lawyer said today

This story is here.

[KevinKorell]

Opinion printed in Boston, MA Globe, 5/12/09:

Where was T's ban on devices when we needed it?

As usual, too little, too late.

More here.

[KevinKorell]

From Boston, MA Herald, 5/12/09:

Driver applied for job under different name

The stocky, 24-year-old MBTA driver who crashed while allegedly text messaging behind the wheel had a checkered driving history and first applied for his job under a different name, the Herald has learned.

Read this one here.

[EvergreenRailfan]

So it gets more interesting. Applying for the job under an assumed name, because of a bad driving record. Should not have been driving a car, let alone a train.

[KevinKorell]

From Boston, MA Globe, 5/12/09:

His weapon of choice
Training and age rule called into question

Last week's Green Line crash, the second in a year involving a 24-year-old operator, has renewed focus on the MBTA's training and hiring standards, which allow drivers as young as 18 to control a trolley.

Read this.

[KevinKorell]

The plot thickens even more. From UTU News, 5/12/09:

MBTA operator cited 3 times for speeding in car

BOSTON - The MBTA trolley operator accused of texting when he rear-ended another train last week has received three speeding tickets in a private vehicle since 2002, according to the Boston Globe.

Here's that story.

[KevinKorell]

Editorial from Metro Magazine, 5/14/09:

Is it going too far?
To me, there were so many reasons not to own a cell phone. The least of which is my frustration of being stuck behind somebody on the road who is paying more attention to their phone call than their driving.

Entire editorial

[PublicService]

Editorial from Metro Magazine, 5/14/09:
Is it going too far?
Entire editorial

I was thinking more or less the same thing as the editoral writer.
If I were running some transit system I make a rule something like:

You may have a cell phone (etc) with you but is must be turned off while you are operating a vehicle.
If you are caught using a cell phone while operating a vehicle you will be fired. You may appeal and try to explain the extenuating circumstances that prevent you from being fired.
If you are caught with a cell phone that is on but you are not using it some kind of fine or suspension or something. (clearly I haven't quite thought out that part yet.)

This post has been edited by PublicService: May 14 2009, 07:30 PM