Boston, MA – Governor Maura Healey declared Friday that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has formally ended its years‑long review of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities’ (DPU) safety oversight of the MBTA. The federal agency sent a letter on Sept. 11 confirming that the state has satisfied all required conditions and demonstrated a marked ability to independently manage rail safety.
State leadership credits investments and strong management
“When I took office, the T was in a dire state. After years of underinvestment, workers and passengers alike didn’t feel safe on the rails. Today, the T is safer, more reliable, and more affordable for the riders who use it every day,” Healey said in a statement. “That’s in large part thanks to the investments we have made in the T and the DPU, as well as strong leadership of Phil Eng, DPU’s Robert Hanson and their teams. Riders can now have confidence that there are dedicated leaders at both the MBTA and DPU working every day to keep them safe.”
Department of Public Utilities Commissioner Staci Rubin added, “With the FTA’s role overseeing special directives concluded, we have officially closed the book on the serious safety issues we saw four years ago. We made a commitment to invest in the Rail Transit Safety Division, strengthen technical expertise, and build more rigorous oversight processes—and we delivered. This was made possible thanks to our dedicated rail safety staff and support from the Legislature. The DPU is well positioned to ensure safer T operations in the years to come.”
Interim transportation secretary hails the milestone
Phillip Eng, interim secretary of transportation and MBTA general manager, called the development “a huge accomplishment for the T and DPU,” and said he is “extremely proud” of the milestone.
Background: Federal intervention and state response
In 2022, after a series of high‑profile safety incidents, the FTA directed the DPU’s Rail Transit Safety Division to overhaul staffing, operations, funding, and safety practices. The federal review found the agency under‑funded and unable to provide adequate oversight of the MBTA’s rail system.
In response, the Commonwealth created a dedicated Rail Transit Safety Division within the DPU. The division now conducts independent inspections of subway cars, stations, and maintenance facilities, and issues safety and compliance audits. State officials also invested in eliminating all slow zones, upgrading rolling stock and stations, and expanding hiring to bolster operational reliability.
What the closure means for riders
With federal oversight concluded, the DPU regains full authority to set safety standards, conduct inspections, and enforce corrective actions without external mandates. The move is expected to streamline decision‑making, reduce bureaucratic delays, and allow the MBTA to continue its recent progress in on‑time performance and rider confidence.
Local advocacy groups have welcomed the news, noting that the state’s renewed focus on safety aligns with community expectations for a dependable public‑transit system. The MBTA’s recent elimination of slow zones and upgrades to its fleet have already been cited as factors that improve daily commutes for thousands of Massachusetts residents.
Looking ahead
State leaders say the next steps involve continued investment in rail infrastructure, ongoing training for safety personnel, and close coordination with the Legislature to secure funding for future upgrades. The DPU’s Commissioner Rubin emphasized that the agency will maintain rigorous oversight processes to prevent a return to the safety challenges of the past.
As Massachusetts moves forward, the partnership between the Governor’s office, the DPU, and the MBTA serves as a model of how state‑level leadership can address critical infrastructure concerns without prolonged federal intervention.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
