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MBTA commuter rail conductors got new iPhones Monday

The phones are programmed with apps providing commuter rail data, and can't be used for personal calls, email, or other normal purposes.

By Adam Vaccaro

April 4, 2016

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Commuter rail conductors are getting new phones.

Keolis Commuter Services, which operates the MBTA’s commuter rail on a contract with the T,  distributed 400 iPhones to conductors Monday, according to a news release.

The iPhones can’t be used for personal calls, checking email, surfing the web, or hanging out in the app store. They’re equipped with specialty apps providing information on service disruptions, scheduling, and system performance.

The apps will allow conductors to keep commuters better informed about their trip, Keolis said. The phones are programmed to allow conductors to call certain emergency numbers that conductors can call, but other calls are not possible.