MBTA, Keolis and Operation Lifesaver Partner with Communities to Raise Awareness of Rail Safety During National Rail Safety Week
Special Train Makes Stops Along Newburyport/ Rockport Line for Community Events
– The MBTA, Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis) and Operation Lifesaver partnered with local first responders to raise awareness of rail safety during national Rail Safety Week. On Sunday, September 24, a special train with the Operation Lifesaver “See Tracks Think Train” coach departed North Station making station stops at Chelsea, Beverly, West Gloucester, and Newburyport. At each event local first responders joined MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan and MBTA Chief Safety Officer Tim Lesniak as well as representatives from Operation Lifesaver and Keolis. Attendees were encouraged to take the Rail Safety Pledge and learned rail road safety basics. The special “See Tracks Think Train” coach will stay in service across the Commuter Rail network.
“Safety is the MBTA’s top priority, and we are fully committed to reinforcing our commitment and taking measures that further enhance safety for our workforce and the public. Recent measures implemented across all of our at-grade rail crossings are just one example of our approach,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng.
“We join our partners at Operation Lifesaver, Keolis, Transit Police, and more to amplify this critical message during Rail Safety Week and beyond: See Tracks, Think Train. The three E’s – education, engineering, and enforcement – are some of the greatest tools in the fight against accidents and help prevent and mitigate the likelihood of incidents with potentially devastating consequences.”
“Safety for our passengers, crews and communities is always our top priority,” said Abdellah Chajai, CEO of Keolis Commuter Services. “We are proud to partner with the MBTA and Operation Lifesaver during National Rail Safety Week and year-round, raising awareness about how to stay safe near trains and railroad tracks. If you are a pedestrians, drivers, bicyclists, or passenger, please to pay attention when near train tracks, only cross at authorized areas and never trespass on train tracks because it can prove to be a deadly mistake. If you “See Tracks, Think Train”
“In our modern age when trains are quieter than ever, and the dangers of the railroad are not understood, too often people are just not aware of how they can prevent track tragedies,” said Dana DeLorenzo Massachusetts State Coordinator for Operation Lifesaver. “Operation Lifesaver Massachusetts is striving to spread awareness to all the communities in the Commonwealth so that no family has to endure either losing a loved one, having to struggle with the significant injuries that can result from a rail incident, and our train and emergency personnel have to deal with the traumatic effects of such unfortunate situations. Often, trains cannot stop quickly enough to prevent a person or a vehicle from being struck. We sincerely hope that with each person that learns or understand that Tracks are for Trains, we can save lives.”
Rail Safety week is a national initiative led by Operation Lifesaver Inc. to raise awareness about safety around railroads. Eight people or vehicles in the United States are struck by a train daily. Many times, individuals on rail tracks do not hear a train approaching until it is too late due to a train’s high speed. Even when a commuter rail train is not scheduled, freight trains and other services operate on the commuter rail network around the Greater Boston area. Subway trains also operate at high speeds with immediate braking capacity limited in the event of an unexpected individual found to be along the track area. Additionally, incidents have occurred in which motor vehicle drivers attempt to pass through or around crossings when warning lights are flashing and/or crossing gates are descending across the roadway with devastating results.
Earlier this year GM Eng announced an initiative to upgrade all of the lighting and signage at Keolis Commuter Services operates and maintains the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s commuter rail system, the sixth largest commuter rail operation in North America. Keolis Commuter Services delivers operational excellence to more than 400,000 MBTA Commuter Rail passengers a week, with a focus on safety, reliability, and excellent customer service. KCS is a subsidiary of Keolis North America (KNA), both headquartered in Boston, and employs approximately 2,400 people throughout the region. KCS and KNA are part of Keolis Group, an innovative global leader in transit services with more than a century of passenger transportation experience and operations in 13 countries.