MBTA hands out iPhones to conductors
Courtesy Antonio Caban/SHNS
Conductors of MBTA trains will soon have access to alerts that rail passengers have been able to receive for some time.
Hoping to help conductors catch up with smart-phone scrolling passengers, the MBTA's commuter rail operator will begin distributing 400 specially programmed iPhones on Monday.
"For safety reasons, our on-board staff are not permitted to use their phones while on duty. As a result, our passengers, nearly all of whom carry smart-phones, sometimes knew about incidents or issues before our conductors did, creating frustration for both sides," said Ric Salvatici, chief information officer for commuter rail operator Keolis Commuter Services, in a statement.
The goal, Salvatici said, is to ensure Keolis teams "have the information they need to keep passengers accurately informed about what is going in a more timely manner."
Rail-riders have for years shared their complaints and comments and learned of service disruptions through social media apps, such as Twitter. Conductors are not permitted to have their personal cell phones with them when working on the trains, according to Keolis.
The iPhones will be able to access information such as on-time performance and service disruptions, and cannot be used for email or other non-sanctioned apps, according to Keolis. In the future, conductors will be able to digitally access manuals and bulletins, the rail company said.
The technology initiative was tested over the course of a month by 10 conductors, according to Keolis, which said it was given good reviews. Keolis is working with Verizon and will distribute the phones over the next two days at North and South stations.
The MBTA cracked down on cell phone usage by vehicle operators in May 2009 after a Green Line trolley crash that injured more than 40 people.
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