fortunately mbta has made progress and is now on pace to meet the deadline at the end of the year which will allow the down easter to continue to offer uninterrupted service between maine and boston. recognizing t financial costs associated with ptc deployment, our subcommittee has provided funding over the three years, including up to 593 million in the fiscal year, 2018 funding bill. with the ptc deadline just months away, however, it has taken until this week for the department to make funding availae to potential applicants. when this funding is awarded, i anticipate that it will focus on both freight and commuter of railroads, that are most challenged in meeting the deadlines. it is important to note that whil ptc is critical to improving rail safety, it cannot prevent all accidents. the amtrak train carrying trk that sh n have been truck a on the railroad road grade crossing. an occurrence that is unfortunately far too common. almost 250 people died in similar highway rail grade crossing collisions last year. and when combined with trespasser fatalities they contributed to 96% of