The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) recently announced it has invested more than $101 million in improvements designed to make the transit system more resilient in severe weather.
MBTA has purchased snow-fighting equipment, upgraded track, and signal infrastructure, and stocked up on replacement vehicles parts since 2015. To reduce the risk of switch failure due to ice and snow, MBTA added propane heaters and covers to existing infrastructure.
“Building on the experience and investments over the past three years, the MBTA has made major progress in our infrastructure,” MBTA Deputy General Manager Jeff Gonneville said. “In the weeks to come, we’ll continue our multi-faceted approach to snow preparations, from trimming trees along the Green Line corridors to installing new rail, expanding snow clearing and snow removal contracts, performing upgrades to vehicles, and adding additional backup power equipment.”
MBTA provides commuters with up-to-date weather alerts via its website, app, social media, and customers service line. The service uses four weather indicators: regular service, reduced schedule, extremely reduced schedule, and no service.
In winter 2016-2017, the Boston area received 42 inches of snow. This triggered MBTA’s Emergency Operations Center five times and MBTA’s Storm Desk seven times.
The Keolis Incident Command Center and Situation Room also was activated.