producing better than ever
As the MBTA’s ridership
numbers hit all-time highs, the Worcester commuter rail line continues to meet its on-time performance goals on a regular basis. Since the schedule maneuvering earlier this year, the line has drastically improved its numbers, posting a 91% on-time performance in July. That’s a huge jump over the 69% performance the line had for the same period in 2007.
The performance was so good, says Scott Farmelant, spokesman for MBTA operator MBCR, that the Worcester lines (including Framingham) were the fourth-best out of 14 lines in the system last month. Farmelant notes that the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR) will “be sure to receive incentives for superior performances this year.”
After historically poor performance in 2007 and early this year, the Worcester line has enjoyed drastically improved on-time performance, if not actual travel times. In March, the schedule was changed to reflect the longer travel time the trains were taking on a regular basis. Farmelant says the new schedule is supposed to accurately reflect travel, increase passenger boarding (up more than 40% between 1997 and 2007) and meet new federal railroad rules regarding the movement of trains in and out of large stations.
The goal of the MBCR and the T is 100% time performance, otherwise the MBCR will be handed penalties for every train that is delayed. Mr. Farmelant said the reason for such delays is mainly due to safety. “While delays on the Worcester Line were attributed to CSX track, signal, and dispatch issues, 22% of all these delays were attributed to police/fire/public safety issues and passenger medical emergencies.” o
