New Segment: Words from the train

     I would like to start out this post with an apology. So far this summer I have only posted once. I know that many of you have, in the past, depended on some of my posts when trying to plan your daily commute or when your just looking for some crazy information about the MBTA. The truth is this blog is truly like a full time job and it is sometimes hard to devote the right amount of time for it, especially when you are stretched thin already. As of today however, I am turning over a new leaf! Since I have been regularly traveling into the city on the train this summer, and that is truly the only time I have to my self, I have decided to start a "Words from the train segment" to help keep all of you informed while also having a little bit of fun! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions! Also, the MBTA Wi-Fi on the commuter rail is sometimes unpredictable so just bare with me!

MBTA GP-40 "Geep" #1126

Sunday June 17, 2012 

     Today I am riding the the 10:00am train to Lowell out of North Station. I love riding the MBCR Commuter Rail on the weekends, except for when I forget that the MBTA runs a different schedule. 

July 1st is steadily approaching and hopefully all of you know by now what that means! Not only is the MBTA increasing fares (it's going to cost almost 20$ for a round trip to Lowell) and cutting service but they are also banning all alcohol related advertising on MBTA property. So that means the Amstel Light ads that are at North Station will probably be the last alcohol ads to ever be seen on the MBTA. I have to admit that is an awesome way to go out, those ads are really interesting. Go check them out whil you can!

 In regards to the fare increase, the MBTA has already started posting the new fare structure on all of their fare vending machines. Personally, I thought that posting a sticker with the new fares and then having another sticker on the other side with the old fares was a little confusing but see for yourself. 

Once again just as a friendly reminder fares ARE going up on July 1st!

Observations

The North Station Draw 

Another part of these segments that I am really looking forward to writing is just different sights and observations that I have seen around the system. Today, was actually a very interesting day around the MBTA system. Commuter rail coach #1607 (which I am sitting on right now) has a brand new paint job and the car looks absolutely stunning! Today, almost all of the morning trains out of North Station were being pulled by one of the MBTA's GP-40 locomotives! I love seeing these locomotives out and about in the system. They primarily run on the North Side. The one thing I truly love about these engines is that they are extremely reliable. This is probably because they are ex-freight engines. Leaving North Station today I was able to witness an often rare sight. The right draw of the North Station draw bridge was raised! Lastly, one of my biggest observations I had was on the Orange Line. Most of you who ride the orange line know that the cars are often dark, cold (because they have the BEST A/C), and smelly. I'm not sure what can be done about the smell but it looks as if the MBTA is installing newer my energy efficient lighting on most of the Orange Line fleet.

Well thats all I have for this weeks "Words from the train." Look for more segments in the coming weeks!

Liquor ads banned from the T

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

Bad Advertising?

Today while Aaron and I were about to start another one of our adventures on the T we spotted this interesting piece of advertising. 

No it its actually not that obvious...Because this sign is in the wrong station!

Apparently the MBTA has changed the name of Bowdoin Station to State Street

This is another one of the MBTA's security advertisements for their see something say something campaign but seriously who was the person who put this up?!