BOSTON -- The state's transportation chief sounded off Wednesday about the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's safety woes after federal investigators hammered the agency about its handling of a deadly crash.

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that Transportation Secretary James Aloisi said that he is angry that he can't find MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas, who has decided to take his furlough days now.

"There is no such thing as furlough days for people in my position or the GM," Aloisi said. "You can call it a furlough day. You are never on furlough. You should always be available."

He said that he's been trying to reach Grabauskas since Tuesday, when the NTSB released a scathing report on the May 2008 crash, saying the agency lacked a "culture of safety." It concluded the crash, which killed the train operator, may have been due to her falling asleep momentarily.

The NTSB faulted the MBTA for inadequate testing of sleep disorders among operators.

"Why is the T still not testing for sleep disorders or sleep problems?" Wu asked.

"I am going to want an answer to that from the general manager," Aloisi said.

Team 5 Investigates reported last fall that dozens of operators during a three-month period worked more than the 16-hour daily limit. Since then, the limit has been lowered to 14 hours.

Aloisi said that he wants to know what Grabauskas is doing to make sure that limit is being implemented.

The federal agency also said that the crash could have been prevented if the Green Line had the same automated system that is on other lines.

"These are not trivial issues. These are serious issues. I am deeply troubled by them. I think the general manager and others have to take this report and think twice about what their behavior has been and what their game plan has been because I don't think it is working," Aloisi said.

NewsCenter 5 tied to reach Grabauskas Wednesday, but was told Grabauskas is on furlough for the rest of the week.

"You are never on furlough when you are a high government official. I have reached out to him. I have not been able to reach him," Aloisi said.