The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced that it would implement a system of fines for Amtrak when service on shared rails is disrupted, therefore impacting residents’ commutes, according to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority spokesperson Jason Johnson.
In the past several months, Amtrak has disrupted commuter rail service when workers “tripped computer systems that then disrupted service, thus inconveniencing T riders,” Johnson wrote in an email.
Johnson wrote that in February, commuter rails were so disrupted that riders were unable to access South Station, impacting the Fairmount Line, Framingham/Worcester Line, Franklin Line, Greenbush Line, Kingston/Plymouth Line and Middleborough/Lakeville Line. They were then forced to search for alternate routes.
“MassDOT Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack has said that Amtrak is responsible for signals, and that Amtrak must understand that when they take actions that disrupt our service, the T must be apprised,” Johnson wrote in the email. “Based on contracts, we are going to make sure there are penalties for such actions, when Amtrak fails to live up to their responsibilities.”
Johnson stated that Keolis Commuter Services, which is responsible for the operation of the MBTA commuter rails, is fined for every canceled train.
Keolis is responsible for transporting more than 127,000 passengers through the commonwealth daily, according to its website. Mac Daniel, spokesperson for Keolis, declined to comment except to say that the corporation is “deferring to the commonwealth.”
“The T wants to be good partners with Amtrak, but there need to be consequences,” Johnson wrote.
Mike Tolbert, spokesperson for Amtrak, stated that the company welcomes public feedback.
“We do not negotiate contracts in public, but welcome any and all proposals designed to enhance the service for all rail passengers in the NEC [Northeast Corridor],” Tolbert wrote in an email.
Charles Chieppo, founder of public policy firm Chieppo Strategies, said Amtrak had a reputation for poor service prior to these recent incidents.
“Amtrak ran the commuter rail for many years, and after 10 years — or whatever it was — of Amtrak running the commuter rail, no one could get rid of them fast enough,” Chieppo said. “They were just a nightmare.”
Chieppo said Amtrak is obligated to cooperate for the sake of its customers.
“Amtrak has a responsibility to keep [services] up to a certain standard, where the T can use them for its commuter rail,” Chieppo said. “I would say that certainly the evidence would suggest that there may be something to these accusations, and if that’s true, they should certainly pursue them. Amtrak is not an easy entity to deal with.”
Several Boston residents agreed that Amtrak should be held responsible for delayed or missed trips.
Michael Shearer, 28, of Beacon Hill, said he wished the MBTA were also held to a higher standard.
“It’s good [Amtrak is] being held accountable, but I feel like the T is never held accountable while they have delays and messed up times every single day,” he said.
Jessica Brandi, 25, of Back Bay, said she was happy to see Keolis’ practices called into question.
“I think it’s really important that they’re forced to be on time,” she said. “Transportation is always late, and I feel like a fine is a good incentive to try to remain as on time as possible.”
Nick Korn, 32, of Fenway, said he was also pleased to hear that the commuter rail would face repercussions.
“I think if there is delayed service, then there should be consequences,” he said. “That’s really inconvenient for riders, so I’m glad that there are consequences now.”
Alyssa Meyers contributed to the reporting of this article.
