NEW YORK — Seven track inspectors for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority were suspended for allegedly failing to conduct inspections and falsifying reports, while the agency was criticized for its oversight of the inspectors, according to a report from the MTA’s Inspector General.
The suspensions followed an 11-month investigation following incidents in which track debris fell onto vehicles below elevated rail right-of-way. A press release says the Inspector General’s office “became concerned that inspectors might not be walking their assigned sections because in some cases, no reasonable explanation could be found as to why the loose debris had not been identified during the required twice-weekly inspections,” and that it has in the past found instances of inspectors not fulfilling their duties.
Following arbitration, all seven inspectors were suspended, with six receiving five-year bans from inspection duties as well as a warning that similar conduct could result in termination. The suspensions will cost the seven more than $145,000 in pay.
Along with the investigation, the inspector general’s office performed an audit that found “significant, systematic issues” with the way New York City Transit supervisors oversee the track inspectors.
“It is appalling that so many track inspectors, on so many occasions, skipped safety inspections, filed false reports to cover their tracks, and then lied to OIG investigators about it,” MTA Inspector General Carolyn Pokorny said. “Management needs to utilize a technology that will ensure supervisors can verify when inspectors do their job — and when they do not.”
The Office of Inspector General issued six recommendations to improve oversight, including modification of an app used by inspectors to track the start and end times for inspections; periodic checks of date and time stamps on inspection photos, and periodic random checks of inspectors by supervisors. The MTA has agreed to implement all six recommendations.
The full investigation report is here; the audit report is here.
What punishment are the “supervisors” receiving for not getting out from behind their desks and oh yah SUPERVISING?
Why were they not fired? Is it because the investigation isn’t concluded? Or the union intervened (and if so, why were they given that power for such safety-critical conduct . . . or is there more to the story)? Or some other reason? It is surprising.
They should consider themselves lucky that they weren’t fired outright and/or fined by the FRA.