Power Issues Hobble MBTA Commuter Rail During Snowstorm
(Mario Jarjour/WBZ NewsRadio)
ROCKPORT, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — There was trouble on the MBTA Commuter Rail's Rockport Line Tuesday morning when a power issue caused a train to run without heat and limited lighting.
That Boston-bound train was eventually cancelled and a relief train was sent to get the passengers on their way, Commuter Rail operator Keolis told WBZ NewsRadio,
Shortly after 7:30 a.m., the MBTA Commuter Rail tweeted that Rockport Train 106, which left Rockport at 7:10 a.m., would not be heated. They recommended passengers wait for Train 108, leaving Rockport at 8:15 a.m.
Shortly after, that Rockport train was cancelled, and a Newburyport train was used to accommodate the passengers.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kevin Coleman caught up with passengers who rode that train shortly after it arrived at North Station in downtown Boston, who said the ride was crowded.
"Slow, but I can assure you it was better than driving this morning," said one passenger named Dave.
"Right at the end, it lost power," said one woman who was aboard that Newburyport train. "It was scary, because everybody's breathing, you're standing up, everybody's all over you. It was a mess."
Keolis spokesperson Tory Mazzola said in a statement that the power issue is under investigation—and that the agency is working on reducing these types of engine issues.
"Locomotive engine issues are a top cause of delays and as a result the MBTA and Keolis are investing into an overhaul program," he wrote. "This program has already helped to improve locomotive reliability by 19 percent from 2017 to 2018 and with continued investment we anticipate it to further improve."
The MBTA said normal service had resumed on the Rockport Line by 10 a.m.
WBZ NewsRadio's Kevin Coleman (@KevinColemanWBZ) reports