MBTA: Litter Can Cause Fires, Delays

To prevent station fires, the MBTA is urging commuters not to litter. The station fires start when trash is ignited by sparks from tracks and passing trains.

T General Manager Richard Davey said the effort is part of a plan to prevent delays.

"Not only is it a safety hazard, but what it has turned out to be is a significant inconvenience for our customers, particularly during rush hour," he said.

"I think in terms of costs it's tens of thousands of people who have wasted a couple of hours in the last 12 months, waiting on platforms for trains that can't come because we have to shut down," Davey said.

Davey said that trash is responsible for at least one significant fire every month this year.