MBTA Rebuts Federal Safety Ultimatum With Data-Rich Letter

Overview

• The MBTA delivered a 12-page response to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy by Thursday, detailing safety initiatives and how federal grants are being used.
• General Manager Phil Eng cited a 16% year-to-date drop in recorded crime across the system and a separate 16% decline at South Station.
• The letter outlines expanded surveillance with actively monitored CCTV, 5–6 cameras on new rail cars, and 9–15 cameras on each bus.
• MBTA staffing gains include exceeding a 1,000‑hire goal and increasing Transit Police to 228 sworn officers, up from 195 in Fiscal Year 2022.
• Duffy’s earlier letters warned Boston and Chicago transit systems to curb crime, fare evasion, and cleanliness issues or risk redirected or withheld funds, with a deputy suggesting possible federal control of South Station.