SMART-TD Calls for Legislative Action After Firearm Incident Involving Keolis Crew Member

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
June 2, 2025 

“It’s time that we protect all transportation workers with every legislative tool at our disposal. The loophole in Massachusetts law is short-sighted and dangerous, and HB 1877 is custom-made to close it right now. Our Keolis brothers and sisters may not be public employees, but they are taxpaying Massachusetts constituents delivering essential services, and they deserve the same protections as anyone else on the frontlines.” 

— Jeremy Ferguson, President, SMART Transportation Division 

Boston, MA — Following a May 29 gun-related incident at the Ashland MBTA station, SMART Transportation Division (SMART-TD) calls on Massachusetts lawmakers to address a critical oversight in current state law.  Existing assault statutes only apply to public employees. This leaves contracted commuter rail workers, like those at Keolis Commuter Services, unprotected.   

As detailed by the Ashland Police Department, the incident involved two suspects.  

Two men got into an onboard argument over evading their fare. The Keolis conductor attempted to de-escalate the situation and safeguard the other passengers. After being removed from the train, the two suspects allegedly assaulted the conductor and pressed a 9mm handgun to his chest.  

Both suspects were apprehended in a coordinated effort by Ashland Police, Framingham Police, MBTA Transit Police, and other local agencies. 

The conductor, a member of SMART-TD Local 898, is not protected by current transit assault laws that call for increased penalties for this type of assault. 

“This is yet another alarming example of the threats our commuter rail crews face far too often,” said Cole Czub, Local Chairperson of SMART-TD Local 898 and Vice Chairperson of SMART-TD’s Bus and Transit Assault Prevention and Safety (BTAPS) Committee. “We’re relieved no one was physically harmed and deeply appreciate the swift response by local and transit police. But this can’t be treated as just an isolated event. It reflects a larger safety crisis facing frontline transit workers. This is exactly why we’re advocating for House Bill 1877.” 

House Bill 1877 would ensure that contracted transit employees, such as Keolis conductors, engineers, and onboard crews, are granted the same legal protections against assault as their counterparts working directly for public transit authorities. The legislation is currently awaiting further action from lawmakers. 

“Our members work the same stations, serve the same passengers, and deserve the same protections as their public sector peers,” said Czub. “Their safety must be treated as a matter of urgency, not an afterthought.” 

SMART-TD urges state legislators, Governor Healey, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to prioritize the passage of HB1877 and close the legal loophole that continues to endanger the lives of essential workers providing commuter rail service to thousands across the Commonwealth every day.