BOSTON — Despite the commuters headaches, the MBTA confirmed Sunday it forgave a portion of the fine it imposed on Keolis for its service problems during winter 2015.
It was a record year of snow in Boston in 2015, and the T system didn't keep up. The MBTA said that under a clause which allows relief for unforeseeable circumstances, it forgave a portion of the fines.
"The relief was limited to penalties not related to on-time performance. In both February and march, Keolis was penalized the full amount for on-time performance allowed by the contract," the MBTA said in a statement.
The Boston Globe says the MBTA waived half the fines, a total of $839,000.
Governor Charlie Baker was a stern critic of Keolis two winters ago, but said the fines forgiven pale in comparison to the fines the train operator did pay.
"Keolis paid 6.6 million in on-time performance fines in 2015...They paid about 6.2 million in on-time performance fines in 2016," he said.
For MBTA riders, the pain of winter 2015 hasn't faded.
"I remember not knowing whether it was coming or not. I had to go to work and I wasn't sure I would get there," said Peggy Sullivan, a commuter rail rider.
Still, she doesn't blame Keolis - just the bad luck from Mother Nature.
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