Federal transportation officers rejected an invite from state lawmakers and won’t testify at an MBTA security oversight listening to centered on their blistering report.
Joint Committee on Transportation Chairs state Rep. William Straus and state Sen. Brendan Crighton stated the Federal Transit Administration knowledgeable the committee Monday that it will not take part within the Wednesday listening to, which is scheduled for 10 a.m.
In an announcement, Straus and Crighton stated they’re “disappointed,” however anticipate the feds will rethink the committee’s request for “help in assessing the context and recommendations of the FTA safety report in time for the future oversight hearings.”
In a letter to the committee, FTA Administrator Joseph DeLorenzo stated he was suggested by counsel to say no the request, citing U.S. Department of Transportation rules that prohibit worker testimony in authorized proceedings, based mostly on the necessity to shield confidential info.
The FTA referred the committee to its Aug. 31 report and directives issued to the MBTA, for its place on issues mentioned throughout the oversight listening to.
Straus and Crighton stated the listening to will give attention to the findings of that report, along with “ongoing questions about safety and decision-making” on the company.
MBTA Board of Directors Chair Betsy Taylor and representatives from the Department of Public Utilities, the T’s state security oversight authority, will seem as witnesses.
The first oversight listening to was held in July, following preliminary FTA security directives. MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak and MassDOT Secretary and CEO Jamey Tesler supplied testimony.
“We’ll be watching with great interest,” Poftak stated. “I believe we’ll be participating in future hearings.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com”