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DPU Rail Monthly Report for April 2025

Beginning in 2025, each month the DPU Rail Transit Safety Division publishes a report highlighting our oversight work of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) rail transit (subway) system. This report includes information about DPU oversight work conducted during the month of April 2025.

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Fast Facts

Below are some "fast facts" about the DPU Rail Transit Safety Division's oversight work of the MBTA during the month of April 2025.  Numbers are current as of the last day of the reporting month and may be adjusted if data is updated post-submittal.

New Investigations

7

Investigations Closed

3

Investigation Final Reports Received

2

Investigation Final Reports Rejected

0

Investigation Final Reports Past Due

2

New CAPs Received

1

Closed CAPs

2

Completed Corrective Actions

9

Overdue Corrective Actions

1.72%

Fast Facts Explained

  • "Investigations" refers to DPU Rail Transit Safety Division's oversight of the investigations of MBTA safety events.
    • DPU's regulations delegate investigation responsibility to the MBTA on DPU's behalf.  While the MBTA conducts the investigation of safety events, the DPU observes and participates to ensure the investigation was done carefully and thoroughly.
  • "Investigation Final Reports" refers to final reports associated with safety events that MBTA is required to draft and submit to DPU for review and approval.
    • The DPU may reject a final report if it does not meet a high threshold of quality and completeness; upon rejection, DPU will require MBTA to submit a revised report.  The final report must be formally accepted by the DPU before an investigation is closed.  Many final reports also include recommendations for CAPs.
  • "CAPs" refers to Corrective Action Plans, which address deficiencies identified during investigations.  DPU may also require the creation of CAPs to address safety compliance issues we identify through our inspections and our audits.
    • Each Corrective Action Plan is made up of one or more Corrective Actions, each with specific due dates and items to address the safety issues identified.
  • Investigation Final Reports Past Due indicates that MBTA has not submitted a final report by the due date or has not submitted a revised report following a DPU rejection by the revision due date.  Count is accurate as of the last day of the reporting month.
  • Overdue Corrective Actions Percentage indicates the percentage of Corrective Actions that are open past the scheduled date of completion.  The percentage includes Corrective Actions with a pending MBTA request for modification or extension but does not include pending MBTA requests for closure. Percentage is accurate as of the last day of the reporting month.

Diversion Oversight

DPU Rail Transit Safety Division team members participate in oversight activities during diversion work across the MBTA system.  From April 1st to April 9th a diversion, including track and station renewal work, occurred on the Ashmont Branch of the Red Line and the Mattapan High Speed Line.  Below is a table summarizing DPU's oversight activities during this diversion:

Activity TypeActivity Count
On-Call Duty Responses2
Field Observations (Work Zone and Safety Briefings) Completed9
Coordination Meetings Attended3
Requests for Information Responses Reviewed1
MBTA contractors in yellow and orange vests performing construction activities on railroad tracks
MBTA work crews performing track renewal work during the April 2025 diversion, photographed by DPU.

Inspections Update

A DPU team member wearing a yellow and orange vest carefully steps into the track area with one foot.
A DPU team member enters the right of way at a Green Line safety event scene.

The DPU Rail Transit Safety Division is a national leader in inspections.  Inspections include our field activities, the "boots on the ground" oversight of the MBTA's operations.  These field activities include, but are not limited to:

  • Track walks
  • Power system checks
  • Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) and Right-Of-Way access card checks
  • Construction safety briefing reviews
  • Green Line speed audits using LiDAR
  • Headlight and door procedure checks
  • Station and carhouse/yard safety audits
  • Operation Control Center (“OCC”) review

Below are numbers highlighting our inspection work in April 2025 per line.  Note that some inspections don't occur at a specific station or line location.  Numbers are current as of the last day of the month and may be adjusted if data is updated post-submittal:

Total Inspections

377

Blue Line Inspections

27

Green Line Inspections

90

Orange Line Inspections

93

Red Line and Mattapan Inspections

126

Other Location Inspections

41

Questions or Comments?

If you have questions or comments about the Division's oversight work, you can send an email to dpu.rail@mass.gov.

Date published: May 5, 2025

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