Boston to a T

Bikes on the MBTA

2012-05-14T22:42:00.001-04:00

Since Boston is becoming an even more bike friendly city, I thought it might be fun to show how you can integrate bike travel with public transit here in the hub!

The MBTA may not be the most bike friendly public transit agency in the United States but overall, they are doing very well.

Here are the in's and out's of bike travel on the T!

Commuter Rail:

Courtesy: MBCR

The MBTA's commuter rail system is probably the most bike friendly service the T offers. Over the years the MBTA and the MBCR have both initiated numerous luxuries for passengers commuting in and out of the city with their bikes.

The Bike Coach:

Back in 2006 the MBTA unveiled a renovated commuter rail coach specially equipped with stationary bike racks. The coach holds 40 bicycles and 42 customers. The coach was such a hit on the Rockport line that the MBTA renovated another coach for the same purpose and put it in place first on the Greenbush line and then on the Newburyport line.

Now, every weekend during the summer, the MBTA puts both coaches back into service on the Newburyport and Rockport lines!

This year the MBTA and MBCR will be running the coaches from Memorial Day weekend to Columbus Day weekend on the following schedules:

Outbound from Boston
(Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays)

Train: 1153/2153 Depart North Station — 9:30 AM to Newburyport
Train: 1105/2105 Depart North Station — 10:15 AM to Rockport
Train: 1161/2161 Depart North Station — 1:30 PM to Newburyport
Train: 1105/2105 Depart North Station — 2:15 PM to Rockport

Inside the Bike Coach

Inbound from Newburyport and Rockport
(Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays)

Train: 1160/2160 Depart Newburyport — 10:48 AM
Train: 1112/2112 Depart Rockport — 12:00 PM
Train: 1168/2168 Depart Newburyport — 2:48 PM
Train: 1120/2120 Depart Rockport — 5:10 PM

On all other Commuter Rail Lines bikes are allowed on weekends and during off-peak hours. Bike friendly times on the Commuter Rail are designated on ever lines schedule with a bike symbol.

Subway:

Bicycles are allowed on all MBTA subway lines (except for the Green and Mattapan lines) on weekends and off-peak hours.

Hours bikes are NOT allowed:

Red and Orange Lines: 7-10am and 4-7pm
Blue Line: 7-9am and 4-6pm

Courtesy: Boston Biker

Busses & Silver Line:

Bicycle racks are mounted on the fronts of most of the MBTA's busses. Bikes are allowed on busses at any time as long as a bike rack is available (Bikes are not allowed inside any MBTA bus). The Bike racks only hold two bicycles at a time.

Bicycle Parking:

Courtesy: MassBike

Bike racks are available at most MBTA stations. The MBTA has also been installing what they call "Pedal and Park" facilities at some of their stations. These facilities are enclosed bike cages that are equipped with closed circuit cameras and controlled door access.

Currently the "Pedal and Park" facilities are located at Forest Hills and Alewife stations but the MBTA is planning to add some more around the system.

In order to gain access to these specially designed bike cages you must obtain a Bike Charlie Card which are available from station officials or the customer service desk in Downtown Crossing station.

More information on the MBTA's bike services can be found on their Website.

Rockport Line Bridge Work

2012-04-26T17:01:00.001-04:00

Flickr User: photoman82

Planned bridge maintenance on the MBTA's Newburyport and Rockport commuter rail lines is going to be causing some delays on some upcoming weekdays and weekends.

Weekdays:

Starting Monday April 30 and ending on Tuesday May 1 the MBCR will be performing necessary rehab work on the Saugus River Draw Bridge.

This work will ONLY affect selected WEEKDAY trains on the Newburyport and Rockport Lines.

What you need to know:

Shuttle busses will replace service between North Station, Chelsea, and Lynn on the following trains:

Inbound to Boston:

Train 186 (9:00pm departure from Newburyport)
Train 142 (10:45pm departure from Rockport)

Outbound to Newburyport/Rockport:

Train 189 (9:35pm departure from North Station)
Train 143 (10:40pm departure from North Station)
Train 145 (12:10am departure from North Station)

Delays of up to 30 minutes are anticipated for people traveling on these trains.

Weekends:

Starting this Saturday April 28 and ending on Sunday May 6th the MBCR will be performing necessary rehab work on the Manchester drawbridge.

This work will ONLY affect WEEKEND commuter rail service on the Rockport Line.

What you need to know:

Inbound to Boston:

If you are commuting from Rockport, Gloucester or West Gloucester, you will take a bus to Beverly station where you will board a train that is on its regular schedule. This train will make all other stops.
If you are commuting from Manchester station you will take a bus from Manchester to Beverly Farms where you will board a train that is operating on its normal schedule. This train will make all other stops.

Outbound to Rockport:

If you are traveling to Rockport you will travel by train to Beverly station where you will board a bus that is waiting to take you to W. Gloucester, Gloucester or Rockport.
If you are traveling to Manchester you will travel by train to Beverly Farms where you will board a bus that is waiting to take you to Manchester station.

The MBCR says that delays of up to 30 minutes are anticipated for people traveling in and out of the city on these two weekends.

For more information please feel free to visit MBTA.com or MBCR.net. You can also Tweet your comments and questions to the MBCR (@MBCR_Info).

VIDEO: MBTA Fare Hikes/Service Cuts

2012-04-24T21:15:00.000-04:00

This is our first video/ media post here at Boston to a T! This video package was my final project for my Broadcast Journalism class this spring. Let me know what you think of it. Hopefully we can make these video packages a regular occurrence.

Thanks!

Dan Lampariello

(…Anchor - #...)

The M-B-T-A board of directors has signed off on some big changes for the Boston areas transportation system.

Suffolk-U News reporter Daniel

LAMP-er-ello tells us more about these changes... including the impact on riders and the fight back by protestors.

(...PKG...)

(…Anchor - #...)

The M-B-T-A could be in the position to cut service and increase fares again next year unless more funding can be found to cover operating costs.

Spring time in the city

2012-04-20T19:53:00.002-04:00

Spring in the city of Boston has always been a time for new additions and old traditions and this year is no different.

As I was walking around the city yesterday I found some new projects that were taking off and some regular occurrences that people were taking advantage of.

In Boston Common, the first signs of the Liberty Mall's rejuvenation were peaking out. The fences protecting the freshly planted sod have been taken down. New portable tables and chairs (much like the ones that are on the Green Way) have been placed all around the new granite plaza. The historic Brewer Fountain has been turned on and the FREE Wi-Fi is now available.

A local food truck has also made a new home for itself on the plaza. Clover Food Lab, based out of Harvard Square, has ten other locations in and around the city and opened this new location for business yesterday. The truck will be open 7 days a week on the plaza from 7am-7pm selling breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can check out a menu form their Harvard Square location HERE. You can also follow the new truck on Twitter: @cloverPRK.

On the other side of Boston Common a new type of addition is being constructed. Early last year Aaron wrote a post on how the "Pink Palace", a decrepit and unused men's restroom, built originally in 1920, would be transformed into an Earl of Sandwich Sandwich shop. It has been a long while in the making but the construction on the project is finally getting underway. The plan is for the restaurant to be open year round and have outside seating in the summer. There are currently no specific dates for when the restaurant is set to open. This will also be the first permanent restaurant/retail location in Boston Common.

There are also some old traditions that are roaring back to life here in the hub. Frog Pond was recently filled up and is ready to be enjoyed. There is also going to be a new carousel at the pond that should be debuted very soon. The beloved Swan Boats are awaiting their passengers in the Public Garden. Every year when these unique and beautiful boats hit the water it is a sure sign that Spring has hit the city.
Overall, spring is a very busy time here so make sure you go out an enjoy everything that the city has to offer!

HAPPY SPRING!

Guest Post: Green Line Operators Show Their Worth

2012-04-17T11:15:00.002-04:00

Here is a another great guest post by fellow transit enthusiast Scott Page.

You can follow Scott on Twitter : (@ScottridestheT)!

When the system fails – labor shines.

As the evening rush hour began on Thursday April 12^th a suspicious unattended brief case was reported at Boylston Station on the Green Line. At first trains were ordered to bypass the busy downtown station but as the Boston Police arrived they ordered all trains halted between Government Center and Kenmore effectively rendering the Green Line inoperable.

The Trailer Person in 3850 walks the car keeping
passengers abreast of the situation

As police investigated the package at Boylston trains backed up at stations along the line. At Park Street thousands of riders, all eager to get home, were greeted with the same expressionless automated message: “Attention Green Line passengers. Due to a police investigation at Boylston all Green Line service is suspended between Government Center and Kenmore. Please seek alternative service”. The cold inhumane voice of the automated message only served to confuse riders as it offered no information and could not answer questions. But the displaced Green Line riders were privy to one big advantage – appropriate transit staffing. At the westbound platform of Park Street Station sat four two-car trains awaiting further instruction – meaning eight operators were available to assist the riding public in addition to the three Green Line officials on the platform.

No crew handled the riding public better than the Pilot and Trailer Person of the E Heath Street train waiting on the fence track. From their positions in cars 3626 and 3850 they stayed in constant communication with central control and answered passenger questions to the best of their ability, with the Trailer Person in car 3850 walking the length of her train to individually answer riders’ questions.

In recent years the MBTA has made a strong push towards the irresponsible and regressive operative style of One Person Train Operation on its Rapid Transit lines as an alleged cost savings measure. The Green Line, which currently has no plans of converting to one operator, is the last line in Boston to use a multiple person crew. Green Line streetcars, for the record, require one operator per car for on board fare collection above ground and to open and close doors as the cars cannot trainline door control.

But as history tends to repeat itself it most likely won’t be long until MassDOT and the MBTA announce plans to strip the Green Line of its appropriate staffing levels. That is why it is imperative to take note of situations like the one yesterday to show the importance of second operators. The smooth handling of thousands of riders at the beginning of the evening rush hour and the start of a rush for a Bruins playoff game is a testament to the hard work and importance of all MBTA Streetcar Motorpersons regardless of which position they are in – Pilot or Trailer Person.

Guest Post: WMATA vs. MBTA (Capitals vs. Bruins)

2012-04-13T09:47:00.003-04:00

This guest post is by Jason Bereza. Jason is the author of the blog (T)he Adventure which reviews different bus routes and MBTA stations. Jason is also a sports fanatic. This post focuses on the differences between the MBTA and the WMATA as the Boston Bruins get set to play the Washington Capitals this week! ENJOY!

This week, the Bruins will face the Washington Capitals in the first step of what most of New England hopes will result in a second-straight Stanley Cup. In both cities, thousands of fans will use transit to each game. As a recent transplant to Greater Boston from the DC area, I think it might be good to compare and contrast The T to WMATA, operators of the much-beloved (outside of its own city) Metrorail system.

WMATA (Metro Rail)
Wikipedia Commons

In Boston, North Station will sort through the fans on its oversized inbound platform and larger-than-normal outbound platform, built after TD Garden came to be. There’s plenty of room for fans to spread out.

MBTA

In DC, the two levels of Gallery Place-Chinatown will have tons of people rocking their red (and some Bruins fans) but will become a madhouse post-game as the station predated Verizon Center by 20 years and barely fit even before then.

Boston: Green Line passengers sometimes have to run to catch their train if they don’t know the platform stops.
DC: Shady Grove-bound passengers on the Red Line have to run to catch their train unless it’s the elusive-outside-of-rush-hour 8-car trains. Manual operation of trains post-2009 Fort Totten crash and the awkward setup of Gallery Place where the transfer point is at the far north end of the platform equals having to run up to 100 feet to get to the end of a train.

Boston: Going to the game, $1.70 for CharlieCard, $2.00 CharlieTicket or Cash.
DC: A complicated mess that even locals are confused by. WMATA is the only agency whose rail fares are both distance and time-of-day based with the maximum fare being $5.00 not counting the 25-cent paper farecard surcharge or the 20-cent peak-of-the-peak surcharge if you arrive before 6:00. And yet Boston nearly revolted over an extra nickel...

Boston: Coming home from the game, same fares and fairly decent service post-game.
DC: While the fares become more reasonable ($1.60/$2.15/$2.70), service often becomes spotty as evening trackwork has become regular and train times often aren’t adjusted. Cases of waits of up to 20 minutes for a train post-game are not that unusual.

Boston: The Bruins host Game 2 and if necessary Game 5 on weekends. No major trackwork on any MBTA modes are planned and fans will also trickle in as always via Commuter Rail.
DC: The Capitals are set to host Game 6 if necessary the day after Game 5 (only with the Caps...). On that weekend, the Red and Blue Lines will be split in two and that doesn’t include single-tracking. Though not under WMATA’s jurisdiction, weekend commuter rail is nonexistent in the DC area.

Boston: Rolling Stock of Shame going through North Station: the 01200’s who are crying for retirement. Toss in the worst-off Type 7’s for good measure
DC: Rolling Stock of Shame going through Gallery Place: the 1000’s. A car whose flaws have killed people including nine in the Fort Totten crash. The tired 4000’s are an honorable mention.

Going outside of North Station:

Boston: $59 for all you can ride, $70 come July.
DC: No monthly pass. Buying four 7-day rail passes and four 7-day bus passes will set you back $248. Savvy commuters will buy the cheapest MARC TLC option at a slightly cheaper $203/month.

Boston: Subject to a state with some anti-Boston bias outside 495 and a state government that takes them for granted as seen by Governor Patrick’s recent aloofness.
DC: Subject to three jurisdictions that hate each others guts. DC’s overburdened doing double duty, Virginia resents their DC suburbs, and Maryland resents their DC suburbs for daring to be anti-Baltimore. And don’t forget that Virginia and Maryland never really got over the War Between the States.

Boston: Dedicated funding via the flawed “forward funding” sales tax receipt system. It’s flawed and backfires in economic downturns, but...
DC: Has to beg and grovel to two indifferent state legislatures and the Federal Government, all of which underfund the system.

Boston: @MBTAGM is a pioneering feed where customer concerns are addressed, sometimes by Acting GM Davis. The MBTA Police have a twitter of their own though sometimes accidents happen.
DC: WMATA dragged their heels to the game then turned their feed into a circus where customer praise comes before service alerts.

Boston: The assortment of MBTA unions do a good job for the most part. The number of times they were blamed for the recent state of affairs could be counted on one hand.
DC: Want to turn against organized labor and scream? Search “ATU 689” on Twitter.

Boston: Last in a breed using hard plastic seats and touch tape on buses when most agencies have migrated to plush inserts and reverted to pull cords.
DC: Comfy seats that Bostonians would envy but at some times unnecessary frills. $17,000 in unnecessary styling times 310 buses equals...

What happens on the ice remains to be seen, however it already seems like Boston has won the battle in transit.

MBTA April Service Changes: Part 2

2012-04-11T22:37:00.002-04:00

Like I said in my last post April is a very busy month in regards to service and schedule changes at the MBTA.

Here is what you need to know in regards to changes the Commuter Rails scheduling for the month of April:

Fitchburg Line

Starting Saturday, April 21 and running through Sunday, June 3 the MBCR will be performing weekend track work on the Fitchburg Line to upgrade it to a double tack system. The work will only be taking place between South Action and Fitchburg stations.

What you need to know:

Shuttle busing will replace ALL rail travel between South Acton and Fitchburg station every weekend between April 21 and June 3.
Passengers looking for inbound Boston service from Fitchburg, North Leominster, Shirley, Ayer, and Route 495/Littleton stations will be bussed to South Acton where they will board their train to Boston.
Passengers looking for outbound service to Fitchburg will exit their train at South Acton station and board buses bound for Fitchburg, North Leominster, Shirley, Ayer, and Route 495/Littleton.
Weekend Fitchburg service will run as scheduled Memorial Day Weekend (May 26 and 27.)
Passengers should add an extra 25 minutes to their commute if they are traveling further than South Acton.

The Platform at Wickford Junction
Courtesy: Wickford Junction

Providence Line

Beginning on Monday, April 23 the MBTA and MBCR will officially open their brand new extension of the Providence Line to Wickford Junction Station in New Kingston RI. Ten trains will travel to and from the new station every weekday (there will be no weekend service.)

There are two large changes in this new schedule that may affect customers they are as follows:

Train No. 975, currently the 3:30PM train from South Station to Canton Center, is renumbered to Train No. 811, and will still depart at 3:30PM but is extended to Providence and will NOT stop at Canton Center.
Train No. 811, currently the 3:45PM train from South Station to Providence, is renumbered Train No. 813, and will depart 15 minutes later at 4:00PM.

The new schedule for the entire Providence/Stoughton is available HERE.

Old Colony & Greenbush Lines

Beginning Monday, April 23 the MBTA and MBCR will be putting into place new schedules on the Plymouth/Kingston, Middleborough/Lakeville, and Greenbush lines. These new schedules will reflect the restoration of 70 MPH track speeds on all three lines.

According to the MBTA and MBCR changes to the schedules are minimal but they do reflect a reduction in trip times, which range from 5 to 10 minutes.

The new Old Colony (Plymouth/Kingston and Middleborough/Lakeville) schedules are available HERE.
The new Greenbush schedule is available HERE.

Pocket schedules will be available at South Station and North Station in the middle of next week and web versions will also be available on the MBTA’s website.

For more information check out MBCR.net & MBTA.com.

If your on twitter, tweet your comments and concerns to the official twitter account of the Commuter Rail system: @MBCR_Info or the MBTA GM's official account: @mbtaGM.

MBTA April Service Changes

2012-04-09T12:41:00.004-04:00

This month is going to be a very busy one in regards to MBTA service changes and diversions. Here is what you need to know for the month of April!

Marathon Monday

Green Line LRV's line the entire platform at the
Hynes stop last year on Marathon Monday

This year Marathon Monday falls on April 16, 2012 (one week from today). The city will be packed as people from across the world show up to watch the race. With more people in the city the demand for public transportation is increased. This means that the MBTA must make some changes.

Subway:

The Red, Blue, Orange, Green, and Mattapan HS Lines will all operate on their regular weekday schedule and there will be extra service provided on all lines before and after the marathon.
Copley Station will be CLOSED all day. Customers wanting to get to the Marathon will have to use Hynes Convention Center station or Arlington Station. Passengers will only be able to exit from the Boylston Street side of Hynes Convention Center Station.
Word of Advice: If you don't have an MBTA Link-Pass make sure you add value to your Charlie Card before Marathon Monday. Lines will become very long at Charlie vending machines

Commuter Rail:

MBCR Commuter rail service will operate on its regular weekday schedule.

Bus:

Buses and trackless trolleys will operate on a Saturday schedule.
Route 55 - Queensbury/Copley Station - Service will be terminated until completion of the Boston Marathon.
Buses will be rerouted at certain times during the day to prevent disruption of the race. These routes include: Southside Routes: 1, 8, 9, 10, 39, 47, 52, 57, 59, 60, 65, 66, 86, 504. Northside Routes: 86, 62, 76, 77, 80, 350, 94, 95, 96, 134, 101.

The MBTA expects that with the the dramatically increased ridership and extreme crowds on Marathon Monday passengers should expect on different parts of the system through out the day. (Especially Commuter Rail and the Green Line) Make sure you check MBTA.com or follow @MBTA_Alerts for down to the second service alerts!

Weekend Red Line Diversion

During the weekend of April 28-29th bus shuttles will replace Red Line trains between Boradway Station and Kendal/MIT Station.

Shuttle buses will stop at Broadway, South Station, Park St., Charles/MGH, and Kendall/MIT.
Buses will NOT stop at Downtown Crossing Station. For passengers looking for service to DTX you can transfer at Park St. and walk through the Winter St. Concourse to the Orange Line at Downtown.

The diversion is due to the continued work on the Park St. elevator project. The MBTA must run a power supply for the new elevator through the Red Line tunnels from South Station to Park St.

Worcester and Fairmount Commuter Rail Schedule

The MBCR put new schedules into place for the Worcester and Fairmount Commuter Rail Lines. The revised Worcester commuter rail schedule is due to the reconstruction of Yawkey Station. The revised Fairmount commuter rail schedule is due to necessary commuter rail maintenance.

The new Worcester Schedule is available HERE
The new Fairmount Schedule is available HERE

MassDOT Board Votes Today

2012-04-04T01:13:00.003-04:00

After months of public hearings, discussions, and protests The Massachusetts Department Of Transportation board of directors is ready to take final vote on the future of the MBTA and it's riders.

The board is set to vote on the final proposal set forth by Transportation Secretary Rich Davey and MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis by noon today. If the proposal is passed the 23 percent fare increase and service cuts will go into place on July 1

Although the final proposal that is being presented to the MassDOT board is much less severe than the two scenarios that came before it, commuters are still not happy with how state government is handling the situation. Members of the Youth Affordabili(T) Coalition, Massachusetts Senior Action Council and T Riders Union set up a 24 hour vigil on the front steps of the State House starting at 11am yesterday. They plan to camp out on the steps until 11 am today.

Sleeping bags, mattress pads, and cardboard
for the campout

Kasey Shen, a 17 year old high school student from Quincy believes that our elected officials should be doing more. "As our government they should be helping us (students) move one step forward not bring us one step back." she said, "I hope the state government takes on this responsibility."

The overall goal of the vigil is to make people more aware of the situation as well as to call on Deval Patrick and Therese Murray to go back to the drawing board and find a way to cover the T's budget gap without fare increases and service cuts.

The MBTA must submit and approve a budget for next fiscal year by April 14th which means MassDOT and the T can not stall any longer. They must vote on and pass a proposal as soon as possible.

MBTA Fares to be Increased by 23%

2012-03-29T00:51:00.000-04:00

Riders would pay about 23% more for their commute under a new proposal unveiled today by the MBTA.

This is the third and final proposal unveiled by MBTA officials that will help deter the T's projected $180 Million budget shortfall next fiscal year. This final scenario will be submitted for approval by the MBTA Board of Directors on April 4th and the new changes will go into effect on July 1st.

This plan was created after MBTA officials spent months traveling around the state asking customers their thoughts on T cuts and fare increases at a series of public meetings. "We’ve spent the last two months out at 30 hearings listening to customers, and our proposal I think reflects what we’ve heard from our customers," said MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey, “Overwhelmingly, we heard from folks that they were opposed to cuts in service."

This final proposal is much less drastic than the two scenarios that proceeded it. Under the new plan fares would be increased about 23% on the subway and bus system. A one way subway fare with a Charlie Card will hit a high of $2.00 and a one way bus fare with a Charlie Card will rise to $1.50. Also, a monthly link pass will be hiked up from $59 to $70.

The controversial service reductions that were laid out in the first two proposals are much less severe in this new scenario.

Under the plan the T will only eliminate four of its over 200 bus routes and reduce trips on 14 other routes. Weekend commuter rail service on the Greenbush, Plymouth/Kingston, and Needham lines will also be discontinued. Weekend green line E branch trollies will be stopping short of Heath and terminating at Brigham Circle station, allowing riders to reach the Longwood Medical Area and the MFA.

The the T's ferry service, which would have seen a huge reduction in service, will only see increased fares and the elimination of the Quincy ferry on weekends. Ferry fares will be raised about 35 percent

Along with the cuts in service and fare increases the MBTA has also found other sources of revenue to close their budget gap. They will be transferring $51 Million from the states Motor Vehicle Inspection Trust Fund (which is reserved for projects that will help improve air quality), $5 Million from the states snow and ice removal surplus, and $5 Million from leasing the North Station Garage.

According to MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey, although this proposal will help the MBTA close their projected budget shortfall for next year, it is only a temporary band aid and the agency is likely to be in the same position next year.

You can check out a full set of documents on the new proposal HERE

You can also see Richard Davey' and Jonathan Davis' letter to their customers HERE

Guest Post: The End of an Era on the MBTA

2012-03-26T18:13:00.002-04:00

Here is a guest post by fellow transit enthusiast Scott Page! This is a follow up to his last post Farewell From the Fifth Car which was about the conversation of the MBTA Red Line to One Person Train Operation. You can follow Scott on Twitter : (@ScottPage10690)!

The last MBTA Rapid Transit train to run with an on board Train Attendant pulled into Ashmont Station around 12:21AM on Saturday March 24^th. As the doors opened, and the pre-recorded voice of Frank Oglesby Jr. belted out “The destination of this train is Alewife”, the small group of passengers on the platform made their way onto the train. With no recognition or celebration from the MBTA this historic final trip would quietly bring an end to a one hundred and ten year old Boston transit tradition.

At 12:36AM the Inspector at Ashmont triggered the starter bell – officially telling the Motorperson and Train Attendant to begin their trip.

As the Train Attendant began to close the doors the Inspector approached her with a laugh and a smile and said “That’s it. You’re going down in history. You’re my last Train Attendant ever”. He laughed again and sincerely said “Good luck with your re-assignment”. The Attendant then closed the doors on the last two cars and poked her head out the window to watch the platform as the train lurched forward embarking on its trip to North Cambridge.

For me, the final Two Person Train Operation trip had a special meaning.

As an independent transit advocate, who strongly opposes the MBTA’s plan to convert its Rapid Transit lines to One Person Train Operation (OPTO), the last train acted as the culmination of a freelance project that I started over a year ago.

The project began with an eight page essay to MBTA and MassDOT leaders. It then expanded to an in depth photo history, mini-documentary, and a series of articles – each of which argued against this regressive change to the T’s daily operations and explained the importance of a second operator in regards to passenger safety and efficient service.

While working on the various pieces of this project I was able to meet and talk with a number of Train Attendants, Motorpersons, and Inspectors – all of whom echoed the same refrain: OPTO is a bad idea.

At the public meeting held at 10 Park Plaza in June of 2011 regarding the conversion a rider asked “What do the Operators think about this transition?” The answer from T executives: “We don’t know. We never asked”.

This lack of consideration for the opinions of the operations staff was repeated in a recent Boston Metro article in which an MBTA spokesperson brushed off concerns over OPTO by saying single person operation is something members of the Boston Carmen’s Union (Amalgamated Transit Union Local 589) “has never embraced”.

But in my experience talking to the men and women of the Red Line – the people who actually run the trains day in and day out – the idea that any anti-OPTO sentiment is simply Union solidarity and couldn’t be further from the truth.

The people I spoke with weren’t simply Union members who disliked a change that they saw as weakening the power of their Union, but rather dedicated hard working men and women who wanted to have a voice in their workplace. They each spoke of specific examples in which they assisted a passenger, troubleshot a mechanical difficulty, or kept order on board during an abnormal situation.

As the last Two Person Train Operation train made its way northbound I appreciated the time I had spent over the past year getting to intimately know the Red Line, it’s staff, and it’s operations. While I knew OPTO would begin in the morning I felt as if I had made a stand for an operative style I believed in and for one night I got to celebrate the success of a one hundred and ten year old Boston transit tradition.

When the train entered Park Street Station the Train Attendant pushed the button on the crackling intercom of car 01811 – “Entering Park Street, change for the Green Line, doors will open on both sides. For elevator service please exit to the left”. As fellow transit enthusiast Dan Lampariello and I exited the train it closed its doors behind us and oh-so-gracefully the tradition of Two Person Train Operation rolled silently into the night.

The New MBTA Wickford Junction Station

2012-03-23T16:56:00.000-04:00

Rail travel in the Ocean State is about to get a little more robust.

MBTA test train #1127 in the station
Courtesy: Wickford Junction

March 7th marked the start of the testing phase for the Wickford Junction Station. MBTA #1127 was the first train to roll into the new station and test the brand new tracks!

The station and adjacent shopping plaza, located in North Kingstown RI, have been about 30 years in the making. Bob Cioe and his family bought the land for the shopping plaza in 1982 and had always hoped to see rail travel come back to the area, now they are finally seeing their dreams come true.

Other than the shopping plaza, which boasts a Walmart as it's anchor store, the land is also home to a 1,100 car parking facility that looks more like an 1800's mill building than a parking structure. Don't let it fool you though, the new garage has energy efficient lights, heated and air-conditioned bathrooms, charging stations for electric cars and a coffee shop for commuters!

North Kingstown resident Ryan Salio says she is very excited for the new stop. "Getting to Providence, Warwick, and South Attleboro can be a hassle. It's nice to finally have an option on this side of the state (RI). I will make traveling to Boston exponentially easier."

Construction for station itself broke ground in August of 2010 and was funded partially by the 2005 Transportation Bill, $12,269,449 came from the Transportation and Housing & Urban Development appropriations bill, and the state of Rhode spent $3.2 million to purchase 350,000 square feet of land for the station and parking garage.

Connecting the station to the North East Corridor
Public Domain Wickipedia Commons

The MBTA has 11 stops (Monday - Friday) scheduled for the new Wickford Junction station. There will be five morning trains, two afternoon trains, and four evening trains. The last train to leave the station each night would be at 8:15 p.m and arrive at South Station at 9:55 p.m. Travel time to Providence will be 25 minutes and travel time to Boston will be approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

The station will be located in the MBTA fare zone 9 on the Providence/Stoughton line which will cost $9 one way to Boston. If commuters are only going as far as Providence, however, their round trip ticket will only cost $5 plus a $4 fee at the parking garage.

The MBTA announced that the stations tentative opening date will be on Monday April 23rd, one month from today. The station will be last piece of the $336 Million project to extend commuter rail in the state of Rhode Island.

For more information check out the Wickford Junction Facebook Page!

Dracut Scholarship Telethon!

2012-03-13T23:13:00.000-04:00

Today marked the start of the Dracut Scholarship Foundation's annual telethon! The telethon, which has been broadcast live over the the airways in Dracut for 29 years, raises money for scholarships that are handed out to high school seniors. Last year, the foundation raised $120,000 and gave out $112,000 in scholarships!

Hundreds of performers, volunteers, organizers, sponsors, viewers and bidders are again set to participate in the telethon, which will be televised nightly, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., tomorrow through Friday!

This will be my seventh year working on the telethon and I am VERY excited!

Over the years the Dracut Scholarship Foundation has given out over $1 Million in scholarships and this year hopes to raise $100,000 through the telethon!

The show is divided into three studios; Studio A: Auction and promotional boards where hosts talk about items up for bid! Studio B: This is the high schools auditorium where we have large dance and music groups perform throughout the nights, and Studio C: the high schools music room where we have small musical performers and game shows.

Some of the game shows taking place over the next few nights are, “Are You Smarter Than a Dracut High Senior,” “Cash Cab” with Dracut trivia, and the “Dracut’s Diced” cooking competition featuring local chefs. A new “Soup-off” Contest has also been added to the entertainment lineup. Contestants will be competing to produce the best soup and chowder in a blind taste test.

There will be a large amount of performers from local school bands, choruses, and solo performers. We will also see the return of area dancers from Lisa Pilato Dance Academy, 5-6-7-8 Dance Studio, and Guiding Light Dance Studio. You can also expect to see performances by gymnast and karate troupes!

Select solo performances from Dracut Highs Spring Musical, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying will also be performed!

Between the contests and performers, the 29^th Annual Dracut Scholarship Foundation Telethon is sure to be a hit.

As a Dracut High School graduate, scholarship recipient, and overall townie the telethon is an event I look forward to every year! I have been involved in many different aspects of the Telethon over the past seven years, from performing and answering phones, but for the past three years I have been the shows head audio engineer!

Overall, the Dracut Scholarship Foundations Telethon is a true hit in the town of Dracut truly helps to bring the people of this small north shore farming town close together!

Below you will find a live stream for the Telethon! You can watch it right here starting at 6:30pm for the next three nights. If you are interested in donating to the foundation visit their website at DracutScholarship.org or call to place a bid on an item by calling (978)-957-1500!

I will be live tweeting from my audio board tomorrow though Friday so make sure you follow me on Twitter @Boston_to_a_T!

If you get a chance to watch the show I would love to hear what you think so please leave a comment below!!

Watch live streaming video from dsfteletthonlive at livestream.com

Cheers to One Year!

2012-03-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

A year ago today we started Boston to a T! Over the past year we have truly come a very long way.

First, we would truly like to thank you for reading and following Boston to a T. If you read us on a daily basis, follow us on Twitter, or just accidentally stumbled upon the page we thank you for supporting us over the past year!

Aaron and I started Boston to a T last March when we were freshman. We wanted to launch a blog that showcased what it was like for college students to live in the heart of this wonderful city, but overall it turned into a site that highlighted "Anything and Everything Boston!" Oh yeah, and if you had not noticed, it also kind of turned into a small obsession with the MBTA.We made it our mission to inform the people of Boston, and its outlying suburbs, about the happenings around the city and information about the MBTA.

For me writing this blog has not only helped me strive to become a better journalist, but has also instilled in me a love for urban development and planning, hospitality, and of course transportation.

Over the past 365 days Boston to a T has truly become something that is way beyond our wildest dreams. Sitting in our dorm room last year we would have never thought that we would be named one of the best Boston Blogs to follow on Twitter by Bostinno or be featured on the cover of the Boston Metro!

Since last March we have published over 80 different posts with topics ranging from who is the actual voice of the MBTA (which has become our most popular article), to how Assembly Row is going to be Boston's "Next great neighborhood." We took numerous "Field Trips" to different cities including San Francisco and New York City, which will hopefully become yearly experiences. We started a Twitter account which now has almost 700 followers.We have been able to meet and speak with the General Manager of the MBTA Jonathan Davis, MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey, MBCR General Manager Hugh Kiley and many other notable members of the Boston community.

Overall, we have truly hit a milestone here at Boston to a T and we look forward to sharing even more information with you!

Things to look forward to:

Along with the start of a new year comes new features and upgrades!

If you noticed, there is a new poll located on the sidebar that asks you to help us choose our new logo! Please help by voting for your favorite one. The most popular choice will be made Boston to a T's new logo by mid April!

Also, by this summer we will be transferring Boston to a T off of our Blogger platform so we can launch our own website! Right now we have a sneak preview which you can check out at Boston-to-a-t.com

As we move forward with Boston to a T we will also be looking for even more ways to help bring information to Boston residents and commuters alike. We are committed to using this blog and other social media platforms to put pressure on the MBTA and other Boston organization to be more transparent.

Happy Commuting, Happy Reading, and of course THANK YOU for supporting Boston to a T!

- Dan Lampariello & Aaron Lumnah

This is Boston. This is your city.

Just go out and explore!

Guest Post: Farewell From The Fifth Car

2012-03-04T22:08:00.000-05:00

Here is our second guest post! This article is written by Scott Page, a 21 year old Bunker Hill Community College student and MBTA historian! You can follow Scott on Twitter (@ScottPage10690)!

MBTA to end 110 year old tradition of

Two Person Train Operation

Shortly after 12:30am every night the last Red Line train of the day closes its doors and departs Ashmont Station in Dorchester embarking on a thirty-seven minute voyage to Alewife Station in North Cambridge. This typically mundane trip is often the last source of transportation for evening-shift workers, late night partiers, and the occasional drunk. But on the wee morning hours of Saturday March 24^th, 2012 the 12:30am train will receive the historic distinction of being the last MBTA Rapid Transit train to run with an on board Train Attendant – thus unceremoniously bringing an end to a one hundred and ten year old Boston transit tradition.

An MBTA Train Attendant cycles the doors

at Wollaston Station on the Red Line.

Currently the MBTA operates each Red Line train with a two person crew. The practice, known in the transit industry as Two Person Train Operation, involves a Motorperson in the first car, who is responsible for operating the train and overseeing safety along the right-of-way; and a Train Attendant in the fifth car, who cycles the doors at stations, announces stops, and oversees the safety of passengers both on the train and on the platform.

The practice stems from the early days of subway and elevated operations when train doors literally needed to be cranked open by Attendants standing between each car. Modern technology now allows for doors to be controlled from a central point which, here in Boston, is controlled by the Train Attendant in the 5^th car.

The MBTA claims that eliminating Train Attendants from the Red Line and transferring all duties to the Motorperson, a practice known as One Person Train Operation, will enable the Red Line to operate more trains during off-peak hours and save money that the cash-strapped transit authority can reinvest into the line. If this proposal sounds familiar, that’s because it is.

In June of 2010 the MBTA removed the second operator from all Orange Line trains in a similar cost savings effort. The T reassured riders that there would be no change in service and safety, but just six months after its transition the Orange Line suffered its worst performing winter in the last quarter century. Massive delays snarled the line leaving passengers out in the cold. While delays were not the direct result of One Person Train Operation the overwhelming response from riders was that additional uniformed personnel was needed to relay pertinent information.

To ensure passenger safety on the Red Line under One Person Train Operation the MBTA has installed a series of mirrors and closed-circuit television monitors at each station to show the Motorperson the entire platform. These devices will be most useful at stations with curved platforms where the Motorperson cannot see the entire train by line-of-sight alone. Train Attendants, for the record, have no obstructed views of the doorways at any point in the system.

But with recent breakdowns and service disruptions still on many riders’ minds some aren’t so sure that having one crew member on board is a good idea.

“Having one operator being responsible for hundreds of riders’ safety is quite daunting” said Jessica Baldeck, a frequent Red Line commuter and UMass Boston student. “I can’t think of any other situation where one person is solely in charge of handling hundreds of people - especially during an emergency.”

“Personally it makes me feel safer knowing there is someone on board whose sole job is to make sure everyone is riding safely” added Jessica Griffiths Sheldon, who occasionally takes the T into the city.

Train Attendants serve as a passenger liaison from the 5th car.

The MBTA cites that OPTO is becoming the industry standard for subway operations around the globe along with the conversion of the Blue Line in 1996 and the Orange Line in 2010 as the reason for converting the Red Line. Former MBTA General Manager, and current Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey said “We remain focused on identifying cost savings measures that helps us operate more efficiently. The expansion of Single Person Train Operation… allows us to contain costs while maintaining quality service.”

Critics of OPTO note that Chicago’s CTA, which converted in 2001, has had several attempts by city Aldermen to bring back second operators after doorway safety incidents and crime rose on ‘El’ trains.

The MBTA, which is now engaged in an ongoing public debate over whether or not to raise fares and cut services, originally planned the conversion of the Red Line for September of 2011. The transition was pushed back to March of 2012 after various groups raised concerns over everything from doorway safety to on board crime. The T has used the additional seven months to give all Red Line Motorpersons additional training on proper doorway safety standards and evacuation protocols.

The ring of the starter bell at 12:30am on March 24^th will signal the end of an era in Boston transit. While most riders won’t notice the changes on an average trip, it’s imperative to remember the work done by Train Attendants in their one hundred and ten years of service. They’ve acted as visible representatives of the Authority – answering questions for tourists, giving directions to riders, and aiding in breakdowns and evacuations. But most importantly they’ve protected their riders from threats to safety – like the Orange Line Train Attendant who stepped in and prevented a hate crime in March of 2010 by sheltering the victim in his cab until police arrived. After Boston removes it’s Train Attendants from service this March only New York’s MTA, Toronto’s TTC, and the Port Authority Trans-Hudson railroad of New York and New Jersey will utilize Two Person Train Operation.

Lowell Trolley Network On Fast Track To Expansion!

2012-02-27T22:21:00.001-05:00

Although it has been talked about for years, the concept of expanding the Lowell National Historical Park's (LNHP) downtown historic trolley system into a true public transit network has never fully gotten off the ground.

The current trolley network, which was opened by the National Park Service in 1984, is only operational from March till November. The system uses existing freight tracks, which are used under contract from PanAm Railways, that were electrified with trolley wire. They use four streetcars; three replicas from Gomaco, which were the first true trolley replicas produced in the United States, and one restored antique from the Seashore Trolley Museum! The turn-of-the-century design of the trolley cars preserve the look and feel of historic Lowell. The current system is primarily used for LNHP rangers on interpretive tours so it is not a major means of transportation for area residents or workers, and does not directly serve area businesses or attractions other than the LNHP.

Current system map

The proposed enlargement of the system would expand it from its current size of 1.2 miles to a whopping 6.9 miles. The new routes would include 20 new stops all around the city. Trolleys would run every 10 minuets Monday through Thursday 6am-10pm; Friday and Saturday from 6am till Midnight and Sundays from 10am-8pm. The proposed fare for the system would be $1 for a one-way ride and would increase to $1.50 in the fifth year of operation. The system would see an estimated 800,000 people per year.

According to a 2011 feasibility study on the project, the full cost of construction would be an estimated $66 million and it will take six years from design to implementation.

Once completed, you will be able to board a trolley at the Gallagher Terminal, where it would connect with MBTA commuter rail and Lowell Regional Transit Authority busses, ride it through the South Commons through the the revitalized Hamilton Canal District. Then you would pass down Dutton St. past Lowell High School turning onto Father Morissette Boulevard to UMass Lowell's East Campus then down Broadway to their South Campus. The whole ride would take less than thirty five minuets.

According to Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch UMass Lowell's expansion into the downtown area has truly put the trolley expansion project on the fast track. "The Students are building in ridership thats what brings this system closer to something that makes sense" he said.

Map of proposed extension

For about six years, a large sum of federal money has been available to fund the construction of the extension. The big issues with the project though, is how to pay for the annual operating costs. After the system is built its annual operating and maintenance costs would total around $3.3 Million. The feasibility study suggests that the costs be paid for by $307,826 in fares; $105,000 in sponsorships of trolleys or stations, $50,000 in advertising, $1.3 million in funds that were once used on UML and LRTA transportation services that would be made obsolete by the trolley; $1 million in government transportation programs, and $576,489 in assessments.

Similar trolley networks are already in operation around the country in cities like Little Rock, Arkansas and Tampa Florida. Unlike the other systems around the country the Lowell network would be built to be more than an amusement, it would be a full functioning transit system!
The study currently suggests that over a ten year period the existence of the trolley network will increase the values of existing residential, office, retail, hotel, and medical properties in the area by around 5%. An example of this is in Little Rock where there service, which is much smaller than what Lowell has planned, has generated around $260 Million in economic development since 2009!

The next step for the network is for it to be considered by a subcommittee of the Lowell city council. It will then move to public meetings, which are scheduled for this summer.

Check out more photos of the Lowell trolley system and the Seashore Trolley Museum's
Lowell location on our Facebook Page!

Hubway is BACK and ready to exceed expectations!

2012-02-21T16:31:00.005-05:00

Since late November of last year, Hubway, Boston's bike sharing program has been closed and stored in a warehouse awaiting the spring.

Since its official launch last July, Hubway has been met with a large amount of praise and enthusiasm. Right away the system took off and has now grown to have over 600 bikes available at 60 stations across the city! The system allows riders to rent bikes for varying amounts of time on a sliding price scale: $5 for 24 hours, $12 for three days, or $85 for a full membership.

Spring has sprung and Hubway is finally gracing the city of Boston with it presence once again! In anticipation for their official March re-launch Hubway has already started to install some of their stations around the city. According to Hubway, five stations were installed yesterday and their goal is to have another six or so out by the end of today. The launch has been getting people excited all over the city, especially on Twitter! Hubway (@Hubway) launched the hashtag #HubwayHunt as a challenge for people to try and find the stations launched in the past few days. The first one spotted was on Harvard University's Solider Field Campus.

The City of Boston is truly becoming a very bike friendly city! Just last year the city created a new bike lane on Mass. Ave. and plans are in the works to do the same thing to the Longfellow Bridge. Hubway is defiantly going to aid the city in their effort to become a bike friendly city, with its plans to extend the system into Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville.

If you are a regular Hubway user check out this awesome map by @Bostonography. The map shows you how to route the perfect trip on a Hubway bike. As long as you follow the routes, which are outlined in BLACK, you will always ride past a Hubway station.

Overall, Hubway is clearly making a name for themselves here in the city and I am excited to see what direction they are going to head in next!

Red Line weekend work ends March 10th!

2012-02-16T16:24:00.000-05:00

It has been almost four months in the making, but the Red Line work north of Harvard is almost complete! This is a bit of good news for Red Line commuters who have had to deal with shuttle buses between Alewife and Harvard stations on weekends.

The MBTA announced today that work is set to end in four weeks and trains will start running again on Saturday March 10th. The work is also set to end within the project's budget, according to interim MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis. Both this project and the Science Park Elevator project are some of the only MBTA projects, in recent years, that have finished on time and within their budget.

The Red Line extension to Alewife opened in 1985 and has recently fallen into despair. This is why the T announced last November that they would be addressing $80 million worth of backlogged maintenance on weekends between November and March. The project allowed MBTA crews to plug cracks in the tunnels, seal water leaks, replace corroding concrete bases and electrical wiring. They also replaced numerous damaged sections of track and third rail.

The Red Line trackage between Harvard and Alewife was in such a state of despair that it came under review in 2009. The safety study showed that if maintenance was deferred any longer on this particular section of trackage the threat of train derailment would become even more significant and eventually make it unsafe to travel between Harvard and Alewife.

The MBTA has been very transparent throughout the construction process. They have been regularly posting photos of the construction on their Flickr photo stream and have been keeping passengers informed through their Twitter account.

Guest Post: How the MBTA service cuts will affect the city of Medford.

2012-02-13T16:00:00.000-05:00

Here is our first guest post! The article below is written by Heidi Walsh and focuses on the MBTA's fare increase and service cut proposals and their effect on the city of Medford. You can read more of Heidi's work at the Suffolk Voice

Concerned Medford bus passengers lined up at the podium during the MBTA public hearing at Medford City Hall Chambers hoping to get a word in to save their possibly eliminated bus route.

The local meeting held on Wednesday, February 8^th was hosted by four local legislators who listened to the complaints and concerns of many Medford residents who are connected to Boston through MBTA bus route services.

Two proposed ideas have been offered by the MBTA: one would only eliminated the service of express bus 325 whose route runs from Haymarket Station to Salem Street in Medford. The second plan cuts both the 325 and 326 bus routes from Haymarket and the 100 Fellsway bus route to Wellington Station.

These proposals are a result of the fast approaching $161 million deficit that the MBTA will deal with if Massachusetts legislators do not find a way to find additional revenue. Already a proposed toll on I-95 outside the New Hampshire border has been discussed to create funds, but monthly link and express passes will face a dramatic 25-32% increase in fare.

MBTA users in the chambers argued that because fare services are going up that does not mean that service should decrease as a result.

“I come to Boston using the T to pump back into the economy and put shoes on people’s feet,” said Michael Lamburg. “Are we supposed to take our cars all the way to the already filled Wellington and Alewife stations?”

Medford’s Wellington Station may also be facing a proposed increase. Like many of the MBTA’s stations Wellington has a Parking Structure. In conjunction with the proposed fare increases the MBTA is also looking to raise parking rates at all of their garages. To park at Wellingtons garage is will cost you $5.50 a day but with the increase it could cost you as much as $7.00 a day. Most people in attendance at the meeting stressed their disinterest in driveing to Boston or the already filled Wellington parking area and made note that local bus service is their only way to get to work.

According to Medford City Councilor Michael Marks, Medford ranks sixth out of 175 cites who use MBTA services. It could mean an “economic calamity” as one councilor pointed out if these services are cut because one of the biggest draws for citizens to move to Medford is its easy access to Boston.

State Representatives Paul Donato, Carl Sciortino, Sean Garballey, and Pat Jehlen listened to the input of riders and confirmed that while they do not currently have a proposed solution they’re determined to work with the MBTA for a resolution.

“We’re looking at any solution possible; everything is on the table,” Garballey said. “It has to be.”

Jonathan Davis,General Manager to the MBTA, is also a Medford resident and was in attendance at the meeting. Sitting in the back of the chambers silent, he took notes on some comments made at the podium.

“I just don’t understand the trouble we’re having with these funds,” said Medford resident Dr. William Wood. “Whatever happened to the rainy day fund people?”

One woman agreed in the crowd and said, “It’s pouring.”

What happens after the T closes?

2012-02-10T18:01:00.005-05:00

Many people, including Aaron and I, have wondered the same question. What actually happens after the MBTA closes down at 1:00am every morning? In a new documentary, produced by the MBTA and MassDOT, a camera crew follows around MBTA tradespeople as they work to make sure you have a safe ride to work in the morning! During the 45 min. film we are shown the steps that are taken to ensure America's oldest subway stays in tip-top shape! If the question "Why isn't the MBTA a 24 hour subway?" has ever crossed your mind, this film will tell you exactly why it just isn't possible!

Enjoy!

Courtesy of the MBTA

Operation Lifesaver: Stop, Listen, Live!

2012-02-01T23:49:00.000-05:00

Photo: David S.Hutchinson NERail.org
MBTA FP-40 #1025
Sporting O.L. paint in the late 90's

For about 40 years Operation Lifesaver has been spreading the word about railroad safety to the people of the United States. Incorporated as a one time state awareness campaign in 1972 for the state of Idaho. As a result of the Operation Lifesaver campaign, grade crossing-related fatalities dropped by forty-three percent and the campaign spread all over the country reaching all fifty state and creating a national office.

The non-profit organization is set on offering free classes and presentations that will help educate the public on how to prevent collisions, deaths, and injuries on and around railroad tracks. According to their website, Operations Lifesaver says that a person or vehicle is struck by a train about every three hours.

Photo: Bernard Cole II
NERail.org

Operation Lifesavers Maine office has created an interactive caboose to help promote rail safety in their state. The photo to the left shows the caboose at the Pan Am Railways maintenance yard in Waterville, Me. Rail service is on the rise in Maine and with that more serious injuries and deaths have occurred due to people being unaware a train was coming.

A good example of this took place a few years ago. A man was fishing in Belgrade on a small railroad bridge which was considered a local fishing "hot spot". This man had fished there for many years knowing that this was an active railroad and that he was trespassing and risking his life, along with those of the other people he brought there. One day when a local frieght train went by, the draft from the train pulled him in from the edge of the bridge and sucked him in between two boxcars. Despite quick medical attention he later passed away. People take for granted that if you can't hear a train or see one that there is still danger.

Here in Massachusetts there are approximately 1,100 route miles of active track with 1,192 public crossings and 538 private crossings! Like the rest of the United States rail travel is on the rise here in the Commonwealth. While there are more trains traveling around the state, fatalities associated with track trespassing and crashes at grade crossing have remained low. Operation Lifesaver's Massachusetts office is set on keeping that figure low! The Commonwealth's office keeps a close relationship with all of the companies operating rail in the state. Most notably PanAm Railways, CSX Transportation, and of course the MBTA and MBCR! They are also affiliated with the Massachusetts trucking industry!

Photo: Kevin Burkholder
NERail.org

The MBTA and MBCR have both had long standing relationships with Operation Lifesaver to better help them promote safe and reliable service on the rails. Members of the MBTA Transit Police, MBCR conductors, engineers, and other employees are all certified O.L. presenters and regularly hold public information secessions. Most notably, the MBCR's Safety Department sends out railroad safety tips and presentation invitations to area schools that the commuter rail serves!

This past September two MBCR employees paid a visit to a group of daycare children who regularly visit the local commuter rail station to wave at passing trains! Stephen Quinn who is Operation Lifesaver certified along with Fitchburg Line conductor Cory Moniz taught the children that being safe around railroad tracks is no joke. Although there has never been any incidences with the group of children at the station the employees felt that it was great for the children to learn the safety skills early on.

Numerous accidents have occurred throughout New England since July, truly demonstrating the need to get railroad safety information out to the general public. Most notably the Amtrak Downeaster grade crossing collision and several fatalities on the MBTA Commuter Rail lines. Most recently, last night a man was struck and killed by an Amtrak Northeast Regional train near Ruggles station on the Northeast Corridor.

Operation Lifesaver is truly an organization that cares about the people of this country. As long as there are trains running through this country there will unfortunately be fatalities, but as long as O.L. is around we will hopefully be able to keep the number of them very low!

If anyone from the MBTA or MBCR is reading this I think we should add an Operation Lifesaver decal to one of our locomotives!

Vacant downtown land set for development

2012-01-27T18:12:00.002-05:00

The city and state want to redevelop a huge area of unused land leftover after the Big Dig was completed. During the project, the land had been upturned to allow for construction of the tunnel beneath the surface. The area, owned by the state and located just south of Chinatown and the Leather District, is bound by I-90, I-93, Albany Street, and Kneeland Street and covers about 20 acres.

It poses a huge opportunity for development as it is such a large, open space; something rarely found in Downtown Boston and especially next to one of its most densely populated neighborhoods. Not to mention, the area is also surrounded by several hubs of mass transit, being a 5 minute walk from South Station and other public transportation stations, in addition to being located at the intersection of I-93 and the Mass Pike. According to the Globe, officials envision the area to become an iconic new south entrance to the city for commuters driving through on the interstate, abutted by modernly designed high-rise buildings. The goal is to integrate up to 1,500 housing units, several outdoor parks, recreation facilities, and space for retailers and restaurants. Attempts to attract developers in the past have failed, so this time the city has decided to start from square one and focus on smaller areas at a time, designating five separate parcels.

Aerial View of Parcel 25

MassDOT recently began the process of accepting proposals for Parcel 25, highlighted in white in the image above. The parcel covers 1.7 acres of land, with some open space that runs over the highway. Included in the terms of the proposal are the air rights to the parcel as well, which will allow developers to build over the highway. This poses many issues though and can tend to be very expensive, which could deter some companies who would otherwise be interested.

The department decided to try something new with this project by requiring the proposals to include opportunities for women and/or minority business owners. This requirement will be part of the criteria to judge each proposal. MassDOT will be accepting proposals through March 7.

Already set for development in the Spring is Parcel 24, sitting right across the street from Parcel 25, and bound by Kneeland, Hudson, and Albany Streets. In the past this area used to be a bustling and vibrant residential neighborhood, home to many Chinese, Syrian, and Lebanese immigrants before 300 of its residents were displaced by the construction of the Central Artery in the 1960s. This project hopes to restore the area to its original glory by constructing a six story north building and a ten story south building, providing 345 residential housing units, including condos and rentals, 42% of which will be affordable and reserved for low income families. Also included in the project will be 13,600 square feet of green space, a parking garage with 125 spaces, and 5,500 square feet of ground floor retail. 700 construction jobs and 24 permanent jobs are expected to be created.

In October, Governor Patrick and Mayor Menino announced that the city and state would provide money for the $130 million development, using funding from a $64.5 million federal aid package. Asian Community Development Corporation will be footing the rest of the bill and is the one responsible for the project. ACDC is a nonprofit, community based organization founded in 1987 and is responsible for other developments like Oak Terrace and the Metropolitan tower. They hope that this project will help revitalize Chinatown. Construction is expected to be finished by 2014.

At the moment the other parcels are not up for bidding, and it will be several years before they are even open to do so. It will take a long time before this "southern gateway" is complete, but Bostonians will be able to look forward to a larger skyline on their way into the city in the future.

Liquor ads banned from the T! (UPDATE)

2012-01-24T00:18:00.000-05:00

UPDATE:

Announced on January 24th, 2012 the MBTA will officially ban all advertisement that display alcoholic beverages on MBTA property including subway cars, buses, and station signs.

This comes at a time when the debt stricken agency is contemplating fare increases and service cuts. The MBTA needs to find all the revenue they can since they are currently facing an $180 Million shortfall for FY 2013. This is truly not a good time to be taking away revenue. According to the Boston Globe the T will lose around $1.5 Million in advertising revenue during the first year of the ban.

Earlier Post:

State Representative David Nangle (D-Lowell) is pushing to ban the advertisement of alcohol from state-owned property with his new bill. His bill would make it fully illegal for advertisements that display alcoholic beverages to appear on any state-owened property. The state entity that the legislation is targeting the most though is the MBTA. Those of you who ride the T on a daily basis know that ads that showcase beer and hard liquor are a very common occurrence on the side of subway cars, buses, and on platform billboards.

As of this year the MBTA and the New York City MTA are the only two transit authorities to still allow alcohol to be advertised on their public system. Chicago, L.A., Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington all prohibit this on their systems. Nangle's reasoning for creating this bill is because he thinks it is counterproductive. "We're always trying to teach our youth about the effects of alcohol but at the same time, you have college kids who are 17 or 18 riding the subway, and here we are promoting it.....it's kind of in their face, so to speak" said Nangle.

Green Line to Boston College

One of the biggest questions that comes along with this bill is how it will affect the T. The MBTA, has an estimated debt of over $8 Billion, has been selling excessive amounts of advertising in order to try and make up for the $180 Million shortfall in next year's budget. They have even started selling ad space on the Charlie Card and MBTA.com (The MBTA did announce the they WILL ban online alcohol ads). If the MBTA were to lose all of the revenue it makes from the hundreds of alcohol advertisements (267 according to researchers from Boston University) they might have to go back and start all over again. Nangle thinks differently though. He believes that even though the T makes a plentiful amount of revenue from companies who sell alcohol they can most definitely find other companies to take over the empty space.

Personally, I don't think this bill will pass. Nangle and Rep. Martin Walsh (D-Boston) have both filed similar bills in the past, but have failed to get them out of committee. Also, being underage, I don't fully feel that this will help keep kids and students who are underage from drinking. I see the same amount of advertising for liquor on a T ride that I see in a single issue of Rolling Stone magazine. Minors are exposed to advertisements for liquor everywhere, not just the T.

Source: The Lowell Sun

The Cost of Commuting: MBTA's Fare Proposals!

2012-01-22T22:28:00.000-05:00

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past few weeks, you have probably heard about the service cuts and fare increase that theMBTA is proposing for their next ﬁscal year. This topic has not only been the center of many newscasts and newspaper articles but it has also taken to Twitter, Facebook, and many other social media platforms in the hope that the MBTA will listen to their riders.

The MBTA, the only transit authority in the United States to have a debt over $8 billion (including interest,) has come to the conclusion that they will have an over $180 million shortfall for next ﬁscal year (FY 2013). Due to this shortfall, (and the realization that all other revenue options have run dry,) the MBTA has been left no choice but to draft two scenarios that will drastically change MBTA service as we know it today.

You're probably wondering how on earth they racked up such a massive debt, but it wasn't all the MBTA's fault. It is true that some of the debt was added because of large projects and mismanagement, but the bulk of it was acquired after the turn of the millennium.

In 2000, the MBTA was "reborn", if you will. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts passed a Forward Funding legislation which set aside 20% of the state's sales tax revenue to the MBTA. Along with this revenue stream, the Commonwealth also transferred around $3.3 billion worth of debt from the state's books over to the MBTA's books. This transfer also included around $1.8 billion in Big Dig-related debt.

Also, unlike the MBTA had hoped, the sales tax revenue has increased minimally since 2000. The tax, which was supposed to grow at a rate of 3% per year after 2000, has, on average, only grown about 1% per year, which created a sales tax revenue shortfall of $100 million in FY 2011, and a $375 million shortfall since the start of Forward Funding.

Over the past year, MBTA ofﬁcials (Interim General Manager and CFO Jonathan Davis & MassDOT secretary Richard Davey) have been trying to close the expected budget gap with non-fare revenue and cost-cutting solutions. Some examples include advertising on MBTA.com and soon even the Charlie Card. The MBTA also opened an online store selling everything from shirts to vintage station signs for profit. They have also eliminated positions, reduced overtime spending, and changed employee health care providers all in the hope of ﬁnding a little bit of cash. The T had hoped that all of these savings would help close the shortfall, but as most of you know, it has not. For this reason, the MBTA is now looking at fare increases and severe service cuts to solve their problem.

The MBTA currently has two scenarios that are being proposed for service cuts and fare increases. Scenario 1 has a higher fare increase, but less impact on service and Scenario 2 has more service cuts with a lower fare increase. Here is a breakdown of the two scenarios:

Summary Impact of Proposed Changes
Courtesy of the MBTA

	Scenario 1	Scenario 2
Overall Fare Increase(all fare media types)	43%	35%
Ridership Impact % of total currentridership	34–48 million annual trips9 to 13%	53–64 million annual trips14 to 17%
Revenue	Gain $161 million in annualrevenue (+34%) $123.2m increase in farerevenue $38.3m net operating savings	Gain $165 million in annualrevenue (+35%) $86.8m increase in fare revenue$78.4m net operating savings

Scenario 1 will bump the cost of a one-way subway fare with a Charlie Card from $1.70 to $2.40 and bus fare from $1.25 to $1.75. Scenario 2 will be slightly less, with subway increased from $1.70 to $2.25 and bus fare increased from $1.25 to $1.50.

There are many service cuts proposed (full list of service cuts available here) but cuts causing the most controversy are the elimination of Green Line's "E" branch and the Mattapan High-Speed line on weekends, the elimination of Commuter Rail service on weekdays after 10pm and all weekends, and finally, the elimination of all ferry service.

Bostonians have been expressing their outrage about these proposals all over the online world and the topic itself is being tackled by hundreds of bloggers, journalists, and commuters all over the metro Boston area!

Twitter has been at the front of this frenzy with thousands of users tweeting their comments to MBTA officials (@mbtaGM), State Officials (@MassGovernor ), or just out to the world of Twitter hoping that someone out there is listening. Several groups have also formed out of the frustration, such as Occupy MBTA (@OccupyMBTA) a Twitter adopting the moniker of the Occupy Boston movement and Students Against T Cuts (@StudentsTCuts) a group that consists of college students from around Boston who believe that the proposed scenarios are a step backwards in the development of the city and its businesses, people, and institutions of higher education

Each one of these groups and all those tweeting about the subject have different thoughts on what the MBTA needs to do to fix this problem. Some call for the Commonwealth to raise the gas tax or impose high tolls on people driving within the Metro Boston area to help give the MBTA more funding. While this will help bring the MBTA some much needed revenue, it still will not fully fix the financial crisis it is in.
The MBTA needs a fully reorganized financial structure. The underperformance of the sales tax as a principal financing source and too much debt are the true causes of the T's structural weaknesses. Until these factors are addressed, no amount of reorganization or reforms will keep the MBTA from having another budget shortfall in following fiscal years.

If you utilize the MBTA on an everyday rider or just the occasional commuter please "Join the Discussion". From this link you will find up to date guides that explain the proposed scenarios. You will also find the dates and times of 20 differnet MBTA Public Meetings. These meetings are being held so that the public can tell the MBTA how cuts in service and higher fares will affect them. If you can't make any of the meetings and you would still like to tell the MBTA how you feel, feel free to send them a message. You can email them at fareproposal@MBTA.com.

It is hard to predict what will come of these current scenarios, but overall, they will definitely impose a great deal of change. On July 1st, when the proposals go into effect, Bostonians will no longer be paying $1.70 for the subway, the lowest transit fare in the United States, instead, they face reduced or eliminated routes and increased fares. But how exactly they will affect commuters on a day-to-day basis remains to be seen.

Aaron and I would love to hear your thoughts on this subject. If you have ideas or comments please leave them below or you can tweet us (@Boston_to_a_T)!

All MBTA financial information came directly from MBTA.com

San Francisco 2012!

2012-01-17T22:29:00.002-05:00

As most of you know Aaron and I recently went on a five day trip to San Francisco! Dubbed as "Boston to a T goes to San Francisco" we traveled around the city live tweeting our adventure hoping someone out there was enjoying it as much as we were! The trip was filled with adventures that ranged from visiting historic landmarks to aimlessly riding public transit! Overall, we had the time of our lives!

We stayed at the Crescent San Francisco Hotel, located in Union Square. It was so easy to get to from the airport, as we just had to catch a BART train and take a half hour ride to Powell Street Station. The location was incredible, placed centrally in the upscale shopping district, right next to Chinatown, near the Financial District, North Beach, and SoMa. We got a great packaged deal together with airfare, thanks to Expedia, so it was well worth it! The decor was very nice and swanky and the building was very clean. The rooms were pretty small because it is a boutique hotel, but we had no problem with it, especially for the price. When it comes down to it, you don't really need a lot of space because the point of a visiting another city is to get out and see and do everything the city has to offer.

Getting around was really easy. The San Francisco Bay Area has a very sophisticated transportation network, featuring commuter rail, bus, trackless trolley, subway, light rail, and of course the historic cable cars. Aaron and I were fortunate enough to have access to a majority of San Francisco's transportation network. We purchased a City Pass which gave us unlimited transportation on San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) (Including the Cable Cars) for all five days of our trip. It saved us a ton of money (Cable Car 1-way ride is $6 and bus is $2).

Since they are the most popular lets start with the Cable Cars! SF MUNI operates three cable car lines that run on two routes from downtown near Union Square to Fisherman's Wharf, and a third route along California Street. The system is the world's last operational manually operated cable car system, is the only transportation system listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is the only moving national monument. We visited the Cable Car Museum and learned all about how cable cars were originally conceived and how they actually work. It's really fascinating, and if you ever get a chance to read about them, we recommend it!

Inside a Milan Tram

The F-Market Line, which runs from Fisherman's Wharf to the Castro is also a popular mode of transport in the city! The entire fleet consists of historic re-built PCC trollies, streetcars, and trams that are from or painted in tribute to cities around the country and the world! It reminded Aaron and I a lot of the Mattapan-Ashmont High speed line, except much more extensive and diverse. The Line is operated by MUNI, but is maintained by Market St. Railway which is a nonprofit preservation partner of MUNI which aims to “Preserve Historic Transit in San Francisco.” Personally we feel that there should be an organization in Boston like this! The line is quite exciting as it allows you to get amazing views of the Wharf area as the cars travel down the Embarcadero. Although most of the F-Market line's fleet consists of PCC trolleys, some of the most exciting cars in the system are the 1920's trams from Milan, Italy. The railway boasts 11 of these restored beauties that still feature signage in Italian throughout the cars! One other cool feature that the railway offers is F-Line Live that shows you which GPS equipped streetcars are operating on the line at any given time!

A back entrance
Clipper Card reader

Other than the two historic modes of transport in San Francisco, MUNI also offers an extensive trackless trolley, bus, and light rail network. The bus infrastructure is robustly developed and is extremely easy to navigate, with most lines running every several minutes. A majority of the buses are actually trackless trolleys, running on a catenary wire running above the street, a major contributing factor to San Francisco being one of the greenest cities in the country. The light rail system, although not as extensive as the MBTA's Green Line, is still very impressive, looking much more modern and clean. The MUNI Underground has a fleet that consists of Breda articulating LRV's very similar to our Type-8 LRV's. Their system also has GPS capabilities allowing real time data to be transmitted on monitors within stations and smart phone applications. One of the most interesting innovations that MUNI has initiated in their system is Smart Card readers for their Clipper Card (like our Charlie Card) at all entrances of their buses, light rail vehicles, and street cars. This not only helps to fight fair evasion, but also allows for more timely boarding.

On our second day we decided to visit the Coit Tower, looking over the city atop of Telegraph Hill. The Tower was built at the bequest of Lillie Hitchcock Coit, after her death 1929. It costs $7 to ride the elevator to the top, but the cost is well worth it. Once you walk off of the elevator and climb up a small flight of stairs, you are treated to a 360 degree view of San Francisco. The views are truly unrivaled and provided some amazing photos.

Included in our CityPass was admission to five attractions in the city too! Also on our second day, we visited the historic Alcatraz Island. We took about a 15 minute boat ride across the Bay to reach the island. Once there, people are free to explore every part of the island that isn't fenced off. There was so much history on this one little island--it started out as a fort in the mid 1800s when the city was still very young and eventually became part of the United States Prison System. In 1969, after Alcatraz had been closed down, Native Americans seized the island and took it for their own, in order to occupy it as a demonstration against their historic oppression. The occupation lasted for 19 months. In 1986 the island was declared a National Historic Landmark and later was opened to the public for visitation. We took a guided audio tour throughout the prison and were able to learn so much. The prison has a real eerie presence to it, which was amplified through hearing the firsthand accounts of what life was like inside the prison on the audio tour.

Another highlight of the vacation was visiting the Golden Gate Bridge. The bridge, which is painted in international orange (not red), opened in 1937 and spans 1.28 miles across the Bay, connecting San Francisco to Marin County. We walked across on a beautiful day and were treated to amazing views of the skyline, Alcatraz, and the sailboats dotting the water. There wasn't a better feeling than having wind blow all around us and not having any obligations, it was truly an incredible experience! If you ever find yourself in San Francisco, this is a MUST DO!

In addition to all of our sight seeing and museum going, we also had our fair share of culinary adventure. We had heard beforehand that San Francisco has a huge variety of great food to choose from, and we didn't waste our chance to experience it. We went all over the city to lunch and dine (our hotel had continental breakfast, so we saved a few bucks that way!), and it was worth it. One of the highlights was a restaurant we visited on the second night we were in the city, called Le Charm French Bistro located in the SoMa neighborhood. They had a prix fixe menu for $32 per person that we ordered off of, which was a great deal. We both ordered a hearty French onion soup to begin with. Dan had steak frites for an entree and Aaron ordered coq au vin. To finish, Dan got a tarte tartin and Aaron had a flourless chocolate cake. The food was to die for and the service was excellent!

On the opposite end of the culinary spectrum, we had our first In-N-Out Burger experience for lunch on our first day, and the food was equally as good! What it lacks in nutritional value, it makes up in taste. The burgers are huge and the fries are delicious. Be sure to order off of the secret menu.

We also of course had to try some Chinese food, seeing as we were in the city with the largest Chinatown in the United States. In addition to that, we ate a delicious muffuletta sandwich from Cafe Zoetrope located in the downtown area--we highly recommend trying it! We also had Mediterranean food from La Mediterranee in the Castro District, with an awesome deal called the Mediterranean Meza. For $16.95 per person, they will bring a smorgasbord of ten Mediterranean delicacies to share. These were just a few of the many places we ate at on our trip.

The San Francisco City Pass was one of the best deals we purchased on this vacation! The pass which is available for over 10 different cities around the country and Canada and gives travelers the most bang for their buck while on vacation. With the pass we were able to gain admission to five different San Francisco attractions and, like we mentioned before, we received a 7-day MUNI and Cable Car pass. The attractions that were included were the Aquarium of the bay,California Academy of the Sciences, An Alcatraz cruise and tour, The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Exploratorium.

The Living roof of the
California Academy of the Sciences

Each attraction had something something that we both enjoyed. The Aquarium of the Bay allowed us to walk through two huge tunnels that were filled with 700,000 gallons of water and were home to over 20,000 sea animals including rays, sharks, and starfish.

The California Academy of the Sciences, which was our favorite attraction, allowed us to step into an Aquarium that shelters 38,000 live animals from around the world, from more than 900 separate species. We were also able to step inside a living 4-story rainforest that has butterflies and birds floating about.The most interesting part about the academy however was its roof.The Academy’s living roof is a 2.5-acre expanse of native California plants. It was built as past of the museum’s green building strategy and has currently survived three winters!

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art was also a great stop! SFMOMA’s internationally recognized permanent collection of modern and contemporary art includes more than 26,000 works!

Inside the Exploratorium

The attraction where we had the most fun however was most defiantly The Exploratorium! We were able to head over the the Exploratorium for one of their 18+ nights (which they hold on the first Thursday of every month). We found it to be a Museum of Science for Adults! The "Museum" has over 475 participatory exhibits, all of them made onsite, that mix science and art. It also aims to promote museums as informal education centers! In 2011, the Exploratorium actually received the National Science Boards 2011 Public Service Science Award for its contributions to public understanding of science and engineering!

Our last stop on the trip was to the SF MUNI Cable Car Museum! It's not like any transit museum we had been to before. Not only is the brick building, located on Nobb Hill, the home to this fantastic museum it is also home to the the cable car power house, which drives the cables, and the car shops and storage! This free attraction truly is a "working museum!" We were able to learn so much about the interesting history of the cable car and how they work in the short time we were there.

Overall, our trip was absolutely amazing and San Francisco holds a dear place in our hearts. If you ever get a chance to make it out there, DO IT! You won't be sorry.

We will leave you with this view of a California sunset from Ocean Beach!

Thanks for following!

-Dan & Aaron