Fast Facts
Below are some "fast facts" about the DPU Rail Transit Safety Division's oversight work of the MBTA during the month of January 2026. Numbers are current as of the last day of the reporting month and may be adjusted if data is updated post-submittal.
New Investigations
5
Investigations Closed
7
Investigation Final Reports Received
7
Investigation Final Reports Rejected
0
Investigation Final Reports Past Due
3
New CAPs Received
1
Closed CAPs
2
Completed Corrective Actions
2
Overdue Corrective Actions
2.22%
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.
MMA Trade Show
In January 2026, the DPU Rail Transit Safety Division was an exhibitor at the 2026 Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Trade Show at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston. The MMA Trade Show is an annual event held by the Massachusetts Municipal Association, with more than 250 exhibitors offering the latest products and services of interest to the cities and towns of Massachusetts. Rail Transit Safety Division staff were able to interact with local officials representing 38 cities and towns — including officials from Gateway Cities — and raise awareness of the Division's oversight of Massachusetts public grade crossings and safety oversight of the MBTA.
Inspections Update
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 January 2026 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
131
Blue Line Inspections
22
Green Line Inspections
26
Orange Line Inspections
28
Red Line and Mattapan Inspections
38
Other Location Inspections
17
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: | February 2, 2026 |
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