In report released today, the MBTA cited a broken axle damaged by a ground ring as the cause of a June 11 Red Line derailment at the JFK/UMass stop. In response to the report, Local 589’s President Jimmy O’Brien issued the following statement that the MBTA should have invested more in personnel and testing before the breakdown occurred:

“The MBTA claims a commitment to investing in the system while simultaneously boasting about cost savings in the operating budget. Cuts to the operating budget and the elimination of jobs resulted in cuts to inspections and testing – including the Ultrasonic Testing that could have detected the problem that resulted in the Red Line derailment. There are no corners to be cut when it comes to ensuring safety and service for our riders. A real investment in the MBTA means investing in the personnel and services required to ensure safety and satisfaction for passengers.”