May 9, 2009 6:58 pm US/Eastern
'T' Bans Trolley Operators From Carrying Phones
Dozens Of Passengers Hurt When Trolley Crashes Into Stopped Train
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
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This photo was taken from Aiden Quinn's MySpace page.
MySpace
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This photo shows damage from inside the train where the driver was sitting.
Jeff Miller/WBZ
The head of the union that represents most MBTA workers said change is coming for trolley and bus operators. They will no longer be able to carry cell phones while on duty.
Steve MacDougall said there will be immediate and severe consequences for any operator who is caught carrying an electronic device while at work.
The decision comes after Dan Grabauskas, the head of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, called for a cell phone ban after a 24-year-old driver admitted to text messaging when he
crashed a trolley into another train that was stopped at a signal.
Some 49 people, including the operator, were hurt in the violent wreck that caused both trains to derail. There were no life-threatening injuries.
The National Transportation Security Board has opened an investigation into the Friday night crash.
DRIVER ADMITS TO TEXTING
The operator of the train that caused the crash admitted to transit police that he was text messaging when the wreck occurred, Grabauskas said.
While the MBTA has not released the name of the trolley driver, WBZ sources say the 24 year old is Aiden Quinn of Attleboro.
Quinn is a 22-month employee with the MBTA. He suffered the most serious injuries and has been released from the hospital where police interviewed him Friday night.
"I can tell you it's difficult to contain my outrage at hearing this," Grabauskas said.
Grabauskas said the driver could face termination. MacDougall said the conductor had no history of problems or complaints during his time with the MBTA.
The MBTA has
warned drivers against text messaging or any cell phone use while they are operating a train. Grabauskas said the MBTA takes the danger of text messaging very seriously, and a full investigation will be launched into Friday's crash.
"There is absolutely no excuse for a bus driver or train operator with the MBTA to be operating a cell phone or texting of any kind when they have lives of individuals behind them," Grabauskas said. "We've made that clear time and time again, and I'm very angry about it."
Watch:
Grabauskas' interview with WBZ
"If the facts in this case are as presented, he will lose his job," he added.
WHAT HAPPENED
At 7:18 p.m., an inbound train derailed between Park Street and Government Center as it hit another train, which was stopped at a signal.
"It was a very chaotic scene. We had several people trapped, so there were some extrications," said fire spokesman Richard Dibenedetto.
Boston EMS Deputy Superintendent John Gill said crews treated and/or transported at least 46 people.
Grabauskas said another 70 walked out on their own. Close to 200 people were on the two trains when they crashed.
All injured passengers that were taken to hospitals have been treated and released.
Green Line service was expected to be suspended between Park Street and Government Center in both directions all day Saturday, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said.
CELL PHONES BANNED
The MBTA had already banned operators from using cell phones. But Grabauskas said Saturday the temptation was obviously too great for some.
Grabauskas said he spoke with the MBTA driver's union late Friday night about banning operators from having cell phones on their persons when they are on duty. He said he wasn't going "to wait for someone to die" to make a change, which he said will hopefully be by the end of the week.
MacDougall backed the change and said the new rule will be effective within the next 12 to 24 hours.
Grabauskas has called for direct monitoring of operators and cell phone use.
MacDougall said in the last year to year and a half there have been less than 15 incidents involving operators using electronic devices while on duty. He said he wants the public to know that the operator in Friday night's wreck does not represent the attitude or professional conduct of all or most of the MBTA's workers. He stressed that members intend to cooperate fully with the new policy.
He said public safety must be his members' top priority.
The NTSB will take over the investigation Saturday. It has requested the trains not be moved until the safety board team can examine them.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
Images From The Scene
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