Overview
- The FTA formally closed its special review last Friday, Sept. 11, and sent a letter returning remaining rail safety responsibilities to the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.
- The review began in 2022 after a series of dangerous incidents, including a Red Line passenger death, and led the FTA to issue legally binding directives requiring fixes to staffing, training and inspections.
- State officials credit sustained investments and operational work—including nearly 140,000 feet of rail replaced, system shutdowns for repairs, and equipment upgrades—for meeting the FTA’s conditions.
- The DPU created a Rail Transit Safety Division that now hires investigators, engineers and analysts to run independent inspections and audits while the MBTA continues day-to-day safety work.
- With federal special monitoring ended, Massachusetts will keep performing routine inspections and audits and riders may see steadier service, but continued oversight and funding will be needed to hold improvements in place.