"No excuses. It's our responsibility."

The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail's general manager James F. O'Leary was quoted as saying "No excuses. It's our responsibility," in today's Boston Globe article about the contract extension. The article was essentially a longer version of the announcement that appeared yesterday on Boston.com.

The new three-year deal that the MBCR has to run the commuter rail system will cost the MBTA $700 million.

The Boston Herald did not publish an article about the MBCR's contract extension, but Boston Now did. The Boston Now article even had a great headline "Better late than not at all."

That's right, everyone. The MBCR is getting awarded a contract extension, even though commuter rail service can best be described as "tardy." Fantastic!

And the MBTA went to bat to make sure the MBCR received their contract extension, even though the T acknowledge that the commuter rail overseer did not live up to their initial contract expectations.

One state rep (who represents a town impacted by the Worcester-Framingham line that I ride) was quoted in the Boston Now article.

State Rep. Alice Hanlon Peisch, D-Wellesley, said she "is frustrated with trying to explain delays to angry constituents."

"There seems to be some mystery here," she said. "The trains used to run on time."

I absolutely agree. I challenge my state rep (Jennifer Callahan) and state senator (Richard Moore) to work with Rep. Hanlon Peisch to start holding the MBTA/MBCR accountable to the ongoing commuter rail delays. Unless, that is, our elected officials like to explain why the commuter rail is constantly delayed to their angry constituents.

So in return for the contract extension, the MBCR is now required to submit quarterly performance reports to the MBTA. Quarterly - what about monthly? The MBCR is also going to be required to refurbish coaches and increase their workplace diversity.

The Boston Globe article noted that only one MBTA Board Member raised significant reservations about extending the MBCR's contract. Baron H. Martin, a retired judge, did vote to renew the contract despite his concerns. However, he went on record as saying:

"Isn't that the same thing they agreed to in the beginning? (referring to the original MBCR contract) They didn't do it. What's changed?"

I would love to know who the MBTA Board members are and how they got their appointments.

Since the vote took place yesterday afternoon, MBTA commuter rail riders were not present at the meeting to voice our concerns over the commuter rail system. That is probably because we were at work.

The MBTA board can decide before 2011 to either solicit new bids or extend the MBCR's contract another two years. The T feels the MBCR should receive more time to improve service delivery. Why? Because they've shown they've done such a fantastic job since they acquired the contract from Amtrack? I don't want to sound like Howie Carr from the Herald, but what is the MBTA? A hackarama?

Perhaps both the T and the Patrick administration are hackaramas. The Globe article closed with this:

Bernard Cohen, the transportation secretary who chairs the MBTA board, left the room during yesterday's debate and did not vote because he worked for Mass. Bay Commuter in 2003, just after it took over the service. He also worked for O'Leary in the 1980s, when O'Leary was general manager of the MBTA.OK, MBCR. You got your contract extension. Now prove to the 72,000 commuter rail riders (and the tax payers of Massachusetts) that you deserved this extension. I'm looking forward to a better commuter rail experience.