Long Train Runnin'
May 8 2009, 10:05 PM
From Boston Globe
QUOTE
Saying he was having difficulty containing his outrage, the MBTA's chief said a trolley driver was text-messaging from his cellphone when he rear-ended another Green Line trolley on Friday night, sending scores of people to the hospital and forcing the closure of the Government Center station.
Rest HereFrom Boston Channel .com
QUOTE
The driver of a Green Line trolley that rear-ended another trolley, injuring at least 46 people near Boston's Government Center station Friday, was texting at the time of the crash, MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas said.
Rest HEREThis really makes me sick I mean sure no one died in this case but after the whole FRA thing on cell phones to have this happening...
CNJRoss
May 8 2009, 11:04 PM
The Boston Globe Breaking News, 5/8:QUOTE
At least 40 injured in Green Line T crash
Two Green Line trains crashed while heading westbound between Government Center and Park Street on Friday night, injuring at least 40 people, although none of the injuries were life threatening, according to MBTA and Emergency Medical Services officials.
The crash was reported at about 7:19 p.m, according to one MBTA police official. One train is believed to have crashed into the back of another stationary train at the Government Center platform, said MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo. Each train had two cars, he said. Police and EMS reported to the scene, and fire officials reported evacuating 100 people.
Continue.
KevinKorell
May 9 2009, 12:15 PM
MSNBC, 5/9/09:
QUOTE
BOSTON - A trolley rear-ended another trolley that was stopped between two underground stations in downtown Boston on Friday night, injuring about 50 people. One of the operators told police he was texting at the time of the crash, officials said.
Story is
here.
QUOTE
Officials would not release the conductor's name, but MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said he had been on the job for less than two years.
Conductor?
CNJRoss
May 9 2009, 03:36 PM
AP via WTOP radio, 5/9:QUOTE
Cell phone ban may follow Mass. trolley crash
BOSTON (AP) - The head of the Boston-area transit authority said Saturday he'll ban all train and bus operators from even carrying cell phones on board after a trolley driver told police he was texting his girlfriend before a collision Friday.
About 50 people were hurt in the underground crash in downtown Boston, though none of the injuries was life-threatening.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority already bans operators from using cell phones and recently ran an internal ad campaign featuring a poster of an open cell phone that warned employees not to drive "under the influence."
Continue.
CNJRoss
May 9 2009, 03:38 PM
************************************************************
NTSB ADVISORY
************************************************************
National Transportation Safety Board
Washington, DC 20594
May 9, 2009
************************************************************
NTSB SENDING TEAM TO INVESTIGATE TROLLEY COLLISION IN BOSTON
************************************************************
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a go-team to investigate the collision of two trolleys on Boston's MBTA Green Line.
At approximately 7:19 pm (EDT) on Friday, a trolley struck another trolley from behind near the Government Center station in downtown Boston. Multiple injuries have been reported.
Senior Railroad Investigator Ted Turpin is the Investigator-in-Charge and will lead a team of eight. NTSB Board Member Deborah A.P. Hersman is accompanying the team and will serve as the on-scene spokesman. Peter Knudson will accompany the team as press officer.
KevinKorell
May 9 2009, 03:50 PM
What a fine way to extol the virtues of trains on the eve of National Train Day. If anyone had their doubts about riding trains, this incident allegedly caused by human error certainly won't help the cause.
Long Train Runnin'
May 9 2009, 04:37 PM
I agree this is bad news but what I don't understand (Granted I know virtually nothing about MBTA) is why all these reports make it seem like a conductor was operating a train?
EdFindlay
May 9 2009, 08:01 PM
QUOTE(KevinKorell @ May 9 2009, 03:50 PM)
What a fine way to extol the virtues of trains on the eve of National Train Day. If anyone had their doubts about riding trains, this incident allegedly caused by human error certainly won't help the cause.
Second one in under a year involving possible cell phone usage and the Green Line doesn't help either...
EdFindlay
May 9 2009, 08:18 PM
QUOTE(Long Train Runnin' @ May 9 2009, 04:37 PM)
I agree this is bad news but what I don't understand (Granted I know virtually nothing about MBTA) is why all these reports make it seem like a conductor was operating a train?
They misused the term.
EvergreenRailfan
May 10 2009, 12:28 AM
I understand that the Green Line is a Light Rail line that evolved from a streetcar operation, and uses the old Boston Subway, but I was wondering, what kind of signal system is used in the subway portion, and could it have prevented this? I do understand that the MBTA Green Line operators have duties that operators here don't have, such as on-board fare collection. Still, nobody should be texting while driving, whether you are driving alone, or a Light Rail Vehicle with a lot of passengers.
AlanB
May 11 2009, 11:35 PM
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
May 12 2009, 02:22 AM
QUOTE(AlanB @ May 11 2009, 09:35 PM)
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
May 12 2009, 04:28 PM
From Boston, MA
Globe, 5/12/09:
QUOTE
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
May 12 2009, 05:09 PM
Opinion printed in Boston, MA
Globe, 5/12/09:
QUOTE
Where was T's ban on devices when we needed it?
As usual, too little, too late.
More
here.
KevinKorell
May 12 2009, 05:16 PM
From Boston, MA
Herald, 5/12/09:
QUOTE
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
May 12 2009, 05:22 PM
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
May 12 2009, 05:33 PM
From Boston, MA
Globe, 5/12/09:
QUOTE
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
May 12 2009, 05:38 PM
The plot thickens even more. From UTU News, 5/12/09:
QUOTE
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
May 14 2009, 06:53 PM
Editorial from
Metro Magazine, 5/14/09:
QUOTE
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
May 14 2009, 07:29 PM
QUOTE(KevinKorell @ May 14 2009, 07:53 PM)
Editorial from
Metro Magazine, 5/14/09:
Is it going too far?Entire editorialI 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.)
KevinKorell
May 23 2009, 10:43 AM
Bus drivers do it too... and in Massachusetts following the above news.
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional...position=recent
Long Train Runnin'
Jun 9 2009, 09:05 PM
T suspends subway worker for carrying cellphone
QUOTE
The MBTA has handed down its first punishment under a strict new cellphone policy, giving a 10-day suspension to a train attendant on the Orange Line who was wearing a wireless device on his ear, a transit spokesman said today.
The train attendant was getting off an Orange Line train at Wellington Station last Thursday night when his supervisor saw him wearing a Bluetooth wireless device on his ear, according to Joe Pesaturo, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The device was connected to a cellphone in his bag, which the attendant said was turned off.
Train attendants work in the fourth car and do not drive the trains. The name of the attendant was not released.
Finish it up
HereSo it begins! He was coming off duty with a blue tooth in his ear this seems like its getting crazier and crazier.
(didn't feel this needed its own topic, but wanted to share it. So this seemed like the best place for it)
KevinKorell
Jun 9 2009, 11:32 PM
So if you have a bluetooth in your ear, do you call an ear doctor or a dentist?
I'm glad to see they are strict in enforcing their policy. However keep in mind too that on TV they are hawking a hearing aid device that looks like a bluetooth. Although if one needs a hearing aid that's another can of worms if he's operating a public transit vehicle.
KevinKorell
Nov 27 2010, 03:07 PM
From Boston, MA
Herald, 11/20/10:
QUOTE
Judge: Trolley driver to plead guilty in crash
The MBTA driver accused of texting his girlfriend just before a 2009 Green Line crash will plead guilty in court in December, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Carol Ball said yesterday.
Answer the call
here.
Sloan
Dec 29 2010, 03:02 PM
KevinKorell
Jun 28 2012, 07:00 PM
Boston, MA
Herald, 6/26/12:
QUOTE
Passenger hurt in Boston trolley crash wins $1.2M
The first civil trial stemming from a 2009 Green Line crash in Boston has resulted in a $1.2 million award to a woman who sustained a neck injury in the accident.
's the story.
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