Thursday, September 22, 2022

Gloucester And MBTA Officials Continue Working To Improve Safety

Yesterday, a number of Gloucester officials including Mayor Greg Verga, City of Gloucester, and City Councill President Val Gilman Ward 4, joined me, members of my staff Ted Costa and Don Siriani, and a representative from Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante's office in our second weekly scheduled meeting with representatives of the MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services, the operator of the T's Commuter Rail System. 

We discussed recent system improvements at Gloucester grade crossings, efforts to collect litter and trash, and brush clearing. The MBTA has had a number of crew members including engineers and specialists. The T is also arranging for Alstom, the manufacturer of the signal crossing equipment, to come to Gloucester to ensure that the mechanical and electrical processes are all working within specifications. The system operates more than 160 times each week as trains move inbound and outbound on the line. Gloucester officials have requested, and the MBTA has agreed to supply, a detailed written assessment of the issues that have been noted and the action steps that have been taken and will be taken to enhance the safety of those at the crossing and the proper operation of the rail gates. 

I encourage anyone who experiences or witnesses a malfunction or other safety concern to contact the MBTA's call center. The phone number, 800-449-6393, new signs displaying the emergency contact number were added at the grade crossing.