METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Mass. officials defend MBTA preparations amid winter storms

Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack blamed the track breakdowns on the cold but said a full investigation has been launched to determine why a section of track on the Haverhill commuter line shattered as a train carrying a conductor and an engineer passed by early Tuesday.

January 6, 2016
Mass. officials defend MBTA preparations amid winter storms

 

1 min to read


BOSTON — State transportation officials defended their winter preparations on Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) subway and commuter rail lines after track failures caused a train to derail and resulted in service interruptions on the Red Line on Tuesday, The Boston Globe reports.

Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack blamed the track breakdowns on the cold but said a full investigation has been launched to determine why a section of track on the Haverhill commuter line shattered as a train carrying a conductor and an engineer passed by early Tuesday.

Ad Loading...

Pollack added that the issues do not signal a failure of the state’s efforts to improve service after last year’s record-breaking snowfall pushed the subway and commuter rail networks to the brink. For the full story, click here.

More Management

Crowd waiting for LA Metro bus
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 18, 2026

LA Metro Ridership Continues Growth as Rail Gains Accelerate

New rail connections and major events help drive continued ridership gains, with Metro recording its eighth consecutive month of year-over-year rail growth.

Read More →
The group shot at TransPro's TransDash Summit
Managementby Staff and News ReportsAugust 18, 2026

TransDASH Summit Focuses on Measuring What Matters in Transit

Transit agencies unveil a national performance platform designed to benchmark customer experience, safety, community value, and other outcomes.

Read More →
The Future Hits the Road
Technologyby Alex RomanAugust 17, 2026

Jacksonville’s NAVI Project Charts a New Course for Autonomous Public Transportation

Through its NAVI program, JTA is showing how autonomous vehicles, intelligent infrastructure, and coordinated operations can work together to deliver everyday public transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An Amtrak Cascades Airo Trainset at a station.
Railby Alex RomanAugust 14, 2026

FRA Announces $5.3B in Rail Investments, Including $2B for Amtrak

Funding will support grade-crossing improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and new Amtrak equipment in 23 states.

Read More →
Finding the Right Balance: Optimizing Transit Maintenance
ManagementAugust 14, 2026

Finding the ‘Happy Medium’: Optimizing Maintenance Without Sacrificing Reliability

The key to maintenance optimization isn’t doing less work—it’s doing the right work at the right time on the right assets.

Read More →
Jonathan Hunt, GM/CEO at MARTA
Managementby Staff and News ReportsAugust 13, 2026

People Movement: MARTA Drops Interim Tag on GM/CEO Hunt and More

In this edition, METRO covers recent appointments and announcements at the FMCSA, HDR, SilverRide, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A blue and white graphic with text reading "Via Metropolitan Transit Reports 2 Million Passenger Trips and More."
Managementby Elora HaynesAugust 12, 2026

VIA Metropolitan Transit Reports 2 Million More Passenger Trips as Better Bus Plan Gains Momentum

San Antonio's transit agency said accelerated service improvements are driving ridership growth, offering another example of how increased frequency and workforce investments can translate into stronger transit performance.

Read More →
ABAF Examines Motorcoach Insurance Crisis
Motorcoachby Alex RomanAugust 11, 2026

ABAF Study Reveals Growing Insurance Crisis for Motorcoach Operators

Preliminary findings show 98% of operators faced premium increases over the past five years, while shrinking insurer participation is putting added pressure on businesses and customers.

Read More →
PSTA employees clocking in.
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 10, 2026

PSTA Modernizes Workforce Management with Digital Bidding System

The award-winning Workforce Transit Modernization project replaced paper bidding with a transparent digital platform, cutting administrative effort while improving access for operators.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
APTA Comes to Chicago
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 10, 2026

Chicago to Host Public Transportation's Biggest Gathering at APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026

North America’s largest public transportation gathering returns to Chicago, connecting transit decision-makers with the technologies, ideas, and partnerships driving the industry forward.

Read More →