Who could forget the snowfall that crippled the MBTA in the winter of 2014-2015? MBTA General Manager Brian Shortsleeve remembers and he's vowing the agency will not have a repeat of that this winter. "I ride the commuter rail almost every day," he said. "I know we have to do better for our riders." In order to prevent another nightmare, the MBTA put a winter resiliency plan into action last year. They say they've invested over $90 million in the infrastructure. That includes third rail heaters, switch heaters, new tracks, new ties and new third rails. "The system, from a resiliency standpoint, is in much better shape," said Shortsleeve. Phase one focused on large parts of the orange and red lines. Phase two is now underway, which includes replacing all of the third rails. The MBTA will also invest $500 million over the next five years for new orange line cars, new red line cars and new power and signal systems. They also plan to improve communication with riders including social media updates on problems during the commute. "The T can't fail our riders again. We won't fail our riders again. There are 5,000 people in this organization getting ready for winter every day," said Shortsleeve.

Who could forget the snowfall that crippled the MBTA in the winter of 2014-2015?

MBTA General Manager Brian Shortsleeve remembers and he's vowing the agency will not have a repeat of that this winter.


"I ride the commuter rail almost every day," he said. "I know we have to do better for our riders."

In order to prevent another nightmare, the MBTA put a winter resiliency plan into action last year. They say they've invested over $90 million in the infrastructure. That includes third rail heaters, switch heaters, new tracks, new ties and new third rails.

"The system, from a resiliency standpoint, is in much better shape," said Shortsleeve.

Phase one focused on large parts of the orange and red lines. Phase two is now underway, which includes replacing all of the third rails.

The MBTA will also invest $500 million over the next five years for new orange line cars, new red line cars and new power and signal systems.

They also plan to improve communication with riders including social media updates on problems during the commute.

"The T can't fail our riders again. We won't fail our riders again. There are 5,000 people in this organization getting ready for winter every day," said Shortsleeve.