MBTA: Operator 'removed from service' following Green Line derailment

BOSTON — Another week, another MBTA derailment.

The MBTA put out an alert on Wednesday at around 7 a.m. telling riders there was a derailed train at the Green Line D branch Riverside stop.

A preliminary investigation found no issues with the track infrastructure, signals, or the train. MBTA officials say the trains operator didn't "have the signal system's authorization to proceed. By not allowing the track switch to be properly aligned, the second car of the train came off the rails."

The operator, who was hired in March of this year, has been removed from service while the investigation is ongoing.

Shuttle buses were used to replace service between the Riverside and Newton Highlands stations while MBTA officials worked to clear the derailed train from the tracks.

At around 8:30 a.m., MBTA personnel were already working to re-rail the second of the two-car train. The first car, however, did not derail. According to a spokesperson, 35 shuttle buses were deployed to help replace service.

By noon, regular service had resumed.

Unlike the previous Green Line train derailment in early June where 10 people were hospitalized, Wednesday's derailment yielded no injuries.

This is the most recent derailed train stalling rush hour T riders, who have already taken to Twitter to voice their discontent at the MBTA.

Early in July, a 6% fare hike took effect across the MBTA, a move from the agency that wasn't well-received by riders who were upset with recent derailments. Many said they didn't think the fare hike was fair if the service continued to be subpar to what they expected.

"I think they should get things working correctly before they go up on the fare," said Connie Greene, a Dorchester resident who takes the Red Line daily.

The MBTA says July 1 marks a year since they began an $8 billion upgrade project which is expected to be finished in 2023.

Following the derailments in May and June, Governor Baker unveiled his plan to speed up MBTA improvement projects. Baker said the goal is to transform the MBTA into a modern, safe, reliable transit system.

Federal records show the MBTA has one of the highest rates of derailments among the nation's public transit systems.

On top of the delays on the MBTA caused by these derailments, subsequently, traffic also becomes impacted whenever T riders aren't able to reach their destinations by train.

Commuters forced to wait for shuttle buses that sometimes take a while to get to them often turn to rideshare services, only to have to deal with skyrocketing surge prices and terrible traffic jams.

>> MORE: MBTA: Red Line service expected to go back to normal in October

Cox Media Group