Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail system contractor Keolis Commuter Services posted a non-adjusted weekday on-time performance rate of 90.44% for October, “the best performance for that month in nearly a decade.” When adjusted for slippery rail and other conditions or incidents not under Keolis control, on-time performance was 94.44%.
The 4% variance between adjusted and non-adjusted OTP was attributable mostly to trains that had to be operated at lower speeds for safety reasons because of slippery rail conditions, Keolis noted. “October and November are typically challenging months because of falling leaves that compact [on the rail head], creating slippery rail conditions,” Keolis said. “When the rails are slippery, locomotive engineers operate the trains at lower speeds to ensure the safety of passengers and crews. To combat slippery rail, Keolis crews use high-power washer trains to clear the tracks and spread sand and a gritty silicone gel.”
Wheelslip and wheelslide can wreak havoc on wheels and rail, creating flat spots that lead to shelling and spalling on wheel treads, and rail head burn spots and rail corrugation. Worse-case, these conditions can create or exacerbate rail cracks (both surface and internal) and loss of track circuit shunt. All of these contribute to compromised safety.
“We’re pleased to have delivered the strongest OTP for October since 2006, but we also recognize that these results don’t mean much to passengers who did experience delays this month for whatever reason,” said Keolis Commuter Services General Manager Gerald C. Francis. “I want our passengers to know that every member of our team remains committed to providing them with a service that is safe, reliable, and on time, each and every day. While we cannot eliminate slippery rail entirely, we know these delays are very frustrating, and we do everything we can to keep the tracks clear when the leaves start falling. But getting our passengers to their destination safely will always be our first priority.”
Keolis’s October results were in keeping with the Service Improvement Plan approved by the MBTA this summer in which Keolis pledged that trains would be on time (adjusted) an average of 92% for the remainder of 2015, with no single month falling under 90%.