Three MBTA board members say they've lost confidence in Grabauskas

"We have certainly lost confidence in the General Manager's ability to take ownership of the failings of an agency he has led for nearly five years. Nor do we have any confidence that he can execute a plan that will address our concerns at this critical juncture," the letter said.

Grabauskas, who was appointed to several top state posts by Republican governors and hung on during the administration of Democratic Governor Deval Patrick, responded by saying that security and safety on the MBTA "since Day One has been one of my top priorities and continues to be a daily focus of mine" and charging that the Patrick administration was playing politics.

“What this whole thing boils down to is, I think, a very sad attempt to exploit two accidents involving human error -- which was the conclusion of the National Transportation Safety Board. I think people see it for what this is, which is just more obvious politics from the Patrick administration and his appointees.”

On May 28, 2008, Edmonds, 24, drove through a red light at 38 miles per hour, failing to engage the brakes during the seven seconds in which the train in front of her would have been visible. She died after her vehicle struck the other train, which had been stopped at a red signal along an idyllic stretch of track next to Brae Burn Country Club in Newton.

Federal safety officials denounced the MBTA's "lack of a safety culture" earlier this month as they released a report on the accident.

When the National Transportation Safety Board delivered its scathing report, Grabauskas was notably absent from public view. The absence at such a key moment baffled Aloisi.

Grabauskas, it turned out, was on furlough at an undisclosed location. He called the Globe the next day to demonstrate that he was reachable, by cellphone or through his office, and was in constant touch. He later said Aloisi had told a "lie" when he said he he did not return his calls.

In the May 8 crash, more than 60 people were injured and damage was estimated at $9 million after Green Line operator Aiden Quinn smashed into the back of another trolley near Government Center. Quinn told investigators he had been texting just before the crash.

Before being appointed by Governor Mitt Romney as MBTA general manager, Grabauskas served as head of the state's Registry of Motor Vehicles, transportation secretary, and head of the state's consumer affairs office. His ascent in government began when Governor Paul Cellucci in 1998 elevated him from chief of staff in the economic affairs office to consumer affairs director.