The MBTA’s new general manager Phillip Eng officially took the reins Monday — promising to move quickly on the laundry list of issues with T reliability, safety and communication and restore “pride” in the system.
“Right now, the T is taking a lot of criticism,” Eng said at a press conference following a tour of the Cabot Yard and Maintenance Facility. “But once we build that love back — and I know the people that I’ve met want us to succeed — once we build that back, it’s gonna be the best place to work again.”
Eng was hired in March, becoming one of the highest-paid transit heads in the country and taking on an agency plagued by issues from fires and derailments to hiring challenges to just providing regular, reliable service.
Eng addressed a number of these troubles on his first day, kicking off with the slow zones put in place after last month’s grim safety inspection.
The new GM said he’s “been getting briefed” and moved to gather information on the repairs needed and schedule to address slow zones, requested by the advocacy group Transit Matters.
“My mantra, and I’ll say about everything, is ‘sooner rather than later,'” Eng said. “We’re trying to balance the ability to continue service and keep riders and passengers the ability to travel at the same time we accelerate the work. So we will get back to you on Labor Day.”
The MBTA dashboard is reporting 24.5% of all lines are still under speed restrictions, down from a 28.5% high about two weeks ago.
Asked about possible future shutdowns, Eng said his priority is “minimizing impact to riders” and made no guarantees.
“It’s not a matter of just shutting things down,” the GM said. “It’s a matter of creating means for people to still get to where they need to get to safely and reliably and deliver the work that we need — the work that’s important not just for today, but building for the future.”
Eng also addressed strategies to increase hiring “aggressively” and retain existing staff.
“The bonuses are a great tool,” Eng said, referencing recent financial incentive increases. “But what I’m doing right now is hearing from the workers that are doing the work. … They’re going to be the folks that are going to inform me with how to encourage others to come on board.”
Eng said strategies may relate to opportunities for career advancement and figuring out how to create a better work environment. He also said the agency will not be “cleaning house” when it comes to firings under the new leadership and will be looking to put people in the “right place to succeed.”
“Public service, it’s fantastic despite some of the challenges that we have,” Eng said, addressing a class of around 20 T operator trainees on his Cabot Yard facility tour. “So thank you very much for doing what you’re doing.”
