After crash, MA transit GM seeks operator cell ban

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090509/ap_on_re_us/us_trolley_crash

After crash, MA transit GM seeks operator cell ban

15 mins ago

BOSTON – The head of the Boston-area transit authority says he'll ban all

operators of trains and buses from even carrying a cell phone on board.

That's after a conductor told police he was texting at the time of a trolley

collison Friday.

About 50 people were hurt, though none of the injuries were life-threatening.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority already bans operators from using

cell phones. But general manager Grabauskas said Saturday the temptation

was obviously too great for some.

He said he wasn't " going to wait for someone to die " to make a change, hopefully

by the end of next week.

Steve MacDougall, the head of the union that represents most MBTA works, backs

the change, saying public safety must be his members' top priority.