MBTA Execs Expect Grilling Over Commuter Rail Failures

BOSTON (AP) -- Massachusetts lawmakers are preparing to grill the MBTA and the company that runs its commuter rail service on rider complaints this winter.

The Legislature's transportation committee has scheduled an oversight hearing Tuesday to examine the breakdowns and delays that have plagued the transit system in recent months.

One of the biggest failures occurred Feb. 28, when a Worcester-bound train broke down in Newton, resulting in a four-hour ordeal for passengers trying to get home.

The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad LLC, which operates commuter rail lines under a contract with the T, said it made a mistake by returning to service a locomotive that had a mechanical problem earlier that day.

The MBTA has said it will consider all options when MBCR's contract expires in 2013, including a takeover of commuter rail.

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