Company that runs Boston area commuter rail system fined $434,000 after snow delays, outages

A French company that operates Massachusetts' commuter rail system has been fined more than $434,000 after nearly two-thirds of trains were late or canceled during the heavy snowfalls that pounded the region last month.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority says Keolis International had an on-time performance rate of roughly 35 percent. It says the poor performance warrants the maximum fine allowed.

Keolis disputes the fine. It describes the unprecedented snowfalls as acts of nature out of its control.

Keolis CEO Bernard Tabary last week apologized for the breakdowns and delays that plagued the system during the snowiest month on record for the Boston area.

MBTA officials said Monday the company is aware its recovery plan will be under intense scrutiny.

The MBTA's general manager announced her resignation Feb. 11.