Wednesday, December 10, 2008

There are no words ...

I'm at my wits end with the MBTA. WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Again this morning, another train was cancelled. This time the p502. I thought I'd outwit the p508 and got up early to take the 5:40 AM train because I had an early meeting (and if you know me, this is a big deal, I am so NOT a morning person).

But no, forces were conspiring against me, again. The p502 was cancelled. No reason was given according to my T Alerts. But, they were nice enough to tell me that the p504 was going to become local and run 10-15 minutes late. This gave me just what I needed to drive in. Even though I stopped for gas, at the ATM and coffee, I was still at work in about an hour and 10 minutes ... this with Pike traffic.

On days like today (well, all week actually), not only am I pissed about late trains but I want a refund of my parking fee. Why should I have to pay $4 for a now empty spot because MBTA trains do not run on time? I think the On Time Service Guarantee should include a parking rebate as well as the train fare rebate, it's only equitable.

Interesting observation came in from one of our anonymous posters: don't rely on the train, take other forms of transportation instead like van pools, buses, etc. While these are excellent suggestions, I know they don't always work out schedule wise for people like myself, as I need to be flexible in at work in order to handle client requests or last minute project updates.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

You were lucky you were not on this train. It was standing room only in all cars and it felt like the temperature inside was approaching 90 degrees. The best part was sitting idle next to the Pike outside of Newton for 5 minutes and then sitting idle outside of South Station for 5 minutes.

Anonymous said...

I always take the 502 from Grafton. Today I was running late so I drove to Westboro and did not pay my parking fee - it took me all of two seconds to decide to drive in when the notice came up that the train was having "mechanical difficulties". No gas, no coffee, 50 minutes from Westboro to the South station bus terminal parking garage. At least my ticket refund will pay for part of my parking.....

Anonymous said...

Does anyone know how the P508 train ran today? Was it actually on time?

Anonymous said...

Yeah, taking the bus isn't such a hot idea either. I now live in the city so no more commuter rail trains for me, but unfortunately I live on one of the 4 trackless trolley routes. This morning 6, count 'em: SIX, trolleys drove by on their way (outbound) to Watertown Square. And since they're on cables if one is late, it holds every single one behind it up. And considering these trolleys are supposed to come every 10 minutes, it was really freaking late.
And to top it off, I didn't get an alert about it either! They never send the 71 alerts, no matter how late the trolleys are.

Train Rider said...

Kidney Stones -

I believe the p508 ran somewhat on time today. My co worker takes it as well and she was in the office around 8:40.

- Train Rider

Anonymous said...

More on the 502 this morning. The train is scheduled to leave Worcester at 5:40. Arrival time at Framingham is 6:23. The very first posting of any problem with this train occurred at 6:18 am on the web site. It took another 8-10 minutes to have the sign at the platform updated. I paid my $4 as well, marched back to the car and made it into work quicker than what it would have taken if the train was on time from Framingham.

I have a feeling this is going to be a long cold winter on the Worcester line.