tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-146390844477917742024-03-13T06:58:29.291-04:00Train StoppingCommuting from Central Massachusetts to Boston on the Commuter Rail line can be a frustrating experience. Commuter rail service on the Worcester-Framingham-Boston line has been drastically deteriorating over the past year. This blog looks to inform, educate and inspire the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' elected officials, the MBTA, the MBCR and CSX to restore dependable commuter rail service to the residents of Central Massachusetts.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.comBlogger617125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-37999950095065400012011-07-28T10:40:00.002-04:002011-07-28T10:45:18.347-04:00The On Time Service Guarantee is No LongerDue to a family matter, I had been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">driving</span> a lot these past few months, but have recently returned to the commuter rail.<br /><br />Imagine my surprise when I went to put in for a late train and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">could</span> not find the On Time Service Guarantee form anywhere ... very quietly it seems the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MBTA</span> has phased this program out.<br /><br />It's disappointing ... I'm not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">saying</span> I lived or died by that extra $$, but it was at least some form of accountability for late trains ... especially in a system plagued by on time service.<br /><br />Here is the official announcement from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MBTA</span> website:<br /><br />As discussed and reported during this year’s budget process, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MBTA</span> will stop processing refund requests for service-related delays when the new fiscal year begins on July 1st. By eliminating the only program of its kind in the United States, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MBTA</span> anticipates realizing savings of up to $1 million annually.<br /><br />“While some customers may be disappointed with the program’s elimination, it’s important that people know that this money will be put to very good use,’ said <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">MBTA</span> General Manager Richard Davey. “By reallocating these funds into the development of more customer service enhancements, we expect a greater number of T riders to benefit from this money.”<br /><br /><p>Among the initiatives to be rolled out in the coming weeks and months are:</p><br /><ul><br /><li>Smart phone apps for Commuter Rail that will provide customers with the answer to the question: ‘Where is my train?’</li><br /><li>Countdown clocks that provide subway customers with ‘next train’ information for the Red, Orange, and Blue Lines. </li><br /><li>The ability to use a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">CharlieCard</span> for parking at Alewife, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Braintree</span>, and other stations. </li><br /><li>Discounted parking rates of just $3 at nine stations throughout the Commuter Rail system and along the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Mattapan</span> Trolley Line.</li></ul><br /><p>I think they need to extend discounted parking to all of the commuter rail lots, not just some of them. It doesn't seem fair that certain lots (like mine) has to subsidize parking for the rest of them. </p>Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-12240558077595304212011-03-02T09:14:00.002-05:002011-03-02T09:29:21.052-05:00Blah, Blah, BlahReceived this email from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MBTA</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MBCR</span> about Monday's delays ... <div><br /></div><div>It's kind of interesting to me that this apology email turns into "the fleet is old, we can't really do anything about it, even though we ordered new cars, it won't really help ..." where is the leadership in this organization that will affect change? </div><div><br /></div><div>These issues are not new, heck, this blog has been complaining about the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MBTA</span> for at least five years and in that time, nothing has really changed except our fares have increased, parking fees have increased, they've changed the schedules to make the run times longer (and to meet their "on time" requirements) ... but delays are still occurring and impacting people's lives.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">To all of our Worcester Line Customers, <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">We realize that many of our customers traveled on both train P508 in the morning and P523 last evening and that a large majority were impacted by, either one of these trains, or at the very least effected by residual delays because of their <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>mechanical failures.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">My personal acknowledgement is indeed sincere and we cannot imagine that we could say anything that you would want to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Many of you have written in to say that you are aware that the locomotive that broke down on your inbound commute was the same used for the evening return trip home; this is regrettably the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While the mechanical department staff repaired the problem that caused the failure in the morning, the evening brought with it a different mechanical issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Please know that this locomotive has been removed from service and one of the two new locomotives will be added to the train set that leaves this evening as train P523. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">This is indeed evidence that the lack of investment in the commuter rail fleet is becoming difficult to overcome with regular maintenance. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>The winter season certainly took its toll on an already aging fleet of locomotives. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>While the two new locomotives delivered recently is a positive note it will not have much of an impact on the 483 trains in and out of the city everyday and we welcome the delivery of the five additional locomotives which are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">enroute</span> from New York; once tested, they will be added to the fleet.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">We cannot offer any apology that would justify five additional hours of commuting time in one day; however we do deeply regret the impact that this had on you, your families and your employers.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">Members of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MBCR</span> management team will be on the platform in Worcester tomorrow morning, March 2<sup><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">nd</span></sup> from 5:30am until the departure of train P508 to Boston at 6:55am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Please feel free to speak to us with your comments and concerns.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">As always, we thank you for riding the commuter rail.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">Gillian Wood<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'">Chief Customer Service Officer<br /></span><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana">Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail</span></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 5pt 0in; mso-layout-grid-align: none"><i><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana">Operating the Commuter Rail on behalf of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">MBTA</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></p></div></div>Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-40352396211038566852011-03-01T10:40:00.004-05:002011-03-01T10:49:55.905-05:00Commuting on 2/28/11I can't even begin to express my frustration with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MBTA</span> for the commute that had to be endured yesterday.<br /><br />The p508 arrived in Grafton on time at 7:09 and we boarded the train ... then never left until the p512 came at 7:49 to hitch to us and push us into Boston. The delay was was due to engine failure on the p508. The engineer and conductors were great with communication, but it was just a frustrating experience. I don't think we ever left Grafton until 8:15 or so. To make matters worse, we then had to become a local, stopping at all of p512 stops. We finally got to South Station at 10:10 or slightly before then. A three hour commute.<br /><br />All I have to say is THANK GOODNESS I was not on the p523, which is the express 5:00 train, from Boston to Worcester last night. It seems that train also experienced engine issues (though a different issue from the morning) and did not arrive to Worcester until almost 9:00 last night. A FOUR HOUR COMMUTE. Can you imagine? I would have been going crazy if I was on that train. As it were, I wouldn't have been able to take that train anyway since I was so late in the morning.<br /><br />According to an <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/03/commuter_rail_o_3.html">article</a> in the Globe this morning, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MBTA</span> officials feel our pain:<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Farmelant</span> said the problems "reflect the age of the commuter rail locomotive fleet" and were "extremely frustrating for everybody involved with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MBTA</span> passenger rail service."<br /><br />"Both the T and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MBCR</span> recognize the need for renewed investment in equipment and are actively pursuing opportunities to lease additional locomotives," <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Farmelant</span> said in a statement.<br /><br />Well, I sure hope so. This is one reason why I am driving most of the time now, though with gas prices back on the rise, I wanted to return to the commuter rail, but if yesterday's commute was any indication, I guess I'll just stick with my car and all of the Pike traffic.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-47946673083230917492010-08-05T12:20:00.002-04:002010-08-05T12:30:10.791-04:00MBTA News Round UpSome odds and ends in MBTA news to share:<br /><ul><li>The MBTA has agreed with federal regulators to reduce emissions from commuter rail trains by installing new equipment and changing fuel to ultra clean diesel. Costs to implement this program are about $2 million.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>A new ferry service from Winthrop to Rowes Wharf was instituted this past week. There are 6 total trips, 3 in the morning and 3 in the evening at a cost of $6 for a one way fare. </li></ul><p>No updates on the commute this morning as I drove in due to an early meeting. Hope trains were cool and on time!</p>Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-14580191857962752742010-08-04T17:20:00.001-04:002010-08-04T17:22:09.423-04:00Another Late CommutePosting a bit late today, but the trains were all screwed up again this morning. I think I finally got to work at 9:30.<br /><br />What the heck is going on lately w/the Worcester-Framingham line? Seems like more delays than "usual?"Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-38349419389860578402010-07-26T16:09:00.004-04:002010-07-26T16:19:21.975-04:00Paying for Parking with your Cell PhoneI've been out of town for a couple of weeks on vacation, but saw a flyer this morning touting a new way to pay for parking at MBTA lots.<br /><br />Utilizing the Parkmobile service, you can pay for parking using a credit/debit card and either call, text or use a mobile app on your iPhone or Blackberry (Droid app is coming soon) to provide the space/lot/location of your car.<br /><br />I think this might be a very convenient option, especially when I don't have the correct bills or change to jam into the slot. And also when I'm running late and barely get the train on time ... I'll have the ability to pay for parking from the train itself. That seems like a win-win.<br /><br />I started checking out the Parkmobile website, but I'm confused by the transaction fees. I'm curious ... has anyone tried this out yet?Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-72336571203100164052010-07-26T10:55:00.002-04:002010-07-26T11:02:08.302-04:00One of the Worst Commutes this YearWhat a wake up call! Thought I'd get on the train and go to work like nothing has changed? Thought I'd still be in vacation bliss, all relaxed and happy? Well ... not so much thanks to this morning's commute.<br /><br />The p508 started off well enough ... until we came to a halt outside of West Natick. Then we were informed that the train in front of us (the p506) broke down and we had the pleasure of pushing them into Boston. So, that would likely result in a delay.<br /><br />THEN, we had the pleasure of having our lights and AC shut off for 25 minutes while we tried to link up with the train in front of us.<br /><br />THEN, we got the great news that we would be making all local stops, since, as you know, the p506 was a local whereas we were an express. <br /><br />FINALLY, we also had to make two stops at Yawkey and Back Bay to let both the front and back train people off.<br /><br />I don't think my butt has ever been so sore from sitting in one position for about three hours straight.<br /><br />I think I might go back to driving!Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-31154841246122167882010-07-09T09:43:00.003-04:002010-07-09T09:50:01.608-04:00Smash n' Grab in Grafton and WestboroughIt looks like the vandals are at it again ... smashing windows on cars in the Grafton and Westborough parking lots to grab what they can like GPS units, iPods, laptops, etc. This is similar to a problem that has been persistent in these parking lots since they're quite isolated and set back from the roads.<br /><br />Grafton and MBTA police have been stepping up surveillance, but unless they're sitting there 24/7, it's going to be difficult to catch these vandals in the act. In fact, it might have been two weeks ago when I stepped off the train and there were 3 Grafton police cars in the lot. I couldn't really tell what was going on, but their presence was felt.<br /><br />So, this begs the question ... why aren't there video cameras at MBTA parking lots? Especially in rural ones like the Grafton lot? This might help the police do a better job of patrolling the lots and it would give us commuters peace of mind. Especially since we pay $80/month to park there.<br /><br />The Greater Grafton blog has a great post with pictures regarding these break-ins. You can go <a href="http://greatergrafton.com/2010/07/09/smash-grab-at-the-grafton-commuter-rail-station/">here</a> to read it.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-68660854641737141532010-06-24T10:04:00.003-04:002010-06-24T10:14:24.732-04:00MBCR Train Schedule for 4th of July Holiday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:10x5gTu5GmmOHM:http://people.eku.edu/pedersonn/mongoliaFire/american-flag.gif"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 91px;" src="http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:10x5gTu5GmmOHM:http://people.eku.edu/pedersonn/mongoliaFire/american-flag.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Can you believe Independence Day is nearly around the corner. This is one of my all-time favorite holidays. First - I love being American. Second - it is great to have something to celebrate in the summer.<br /><br />The 4th falls on a Sunday this year. Which means that many organizations will be closed on Monday, July 5th as their official holiday date. However, some companies will be open business as usual on 7/5. What does this mean to commuter rail riders? <span style="font-weight: bold;">Holiday Service</span>!!<br /><br />The MBCR released the following information regarding the 4th of July Holiday weekend:<br /><br />On Sunday, July 4th MBCR will operate on the <span style="font-weight: bold;">SATURDAY</span> schedule, typical for the observance of this holiday. Please see the online schedules <a href="http://www.mbta.com/">www.mbta.com</a> or the handhelds that are available at North, South and Back Bay stations. Here, you will also find the trains that may be held following the conclusion of the 4th of July fireworks.<br /><br />On Monday, July 5th MBCR will operate on a <span style="font-weight: bold;">SUNDAY</span> schedule in observance of the Federal Holiday celebration. Please note the limited train times if you plan to travel on Monday.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:fJ9w0HMnsF7ONM:http://www.friedmanarchives.com/Boston/images/Boston%20Fireworks%20300%20dpi%20PICT1797.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 380px; height: 215px;" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:fJ9w0HMnsF7ONM:http://www.friedmanarchives.com/Boston/images/Boston%20Fireworks%20300%20dpi%20PICT1797.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:MI5LBG6q_-LrwM:http://210teenlibrary.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/fireworks.jpg"><br /></a>Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-24671525014443824622010-06-21T12:46:00.001-04:002010-06-21T12:47:49.182-04:00MBCR: Safe Boarding PracticesNew Safer Boarding Procedure All Trains, All Lines.<br /><br />Effective Monday, June 14th, 2010, every train must have all exterior doors fully closed before the train can move away from the station platforms. Therefore customers on all trains must board and exit their train only where a conductor is present.<br /><br />This new, safer boarding process was initially tested on some off peak trains during 2009 and rolled out across the system on all Off Peak Old Colony and Fairmount lines on February 1, 2010. Beginning Monday, June 14th, 2010 the closing of all exterior doors while a train is in motion will become mandatory across all Commuter Rail lines. The closing of all exterior doors is common on passenger railroads across the country and will improve the level of customer safety. By having a set number of doors in use, train crews can ensure that passengers board and exit the train safely and prevent customers from boarding or exiting a moving train.<br /><br />Passengers MUST NOT open their own doors or traps and we ask that you board only where a conductor is present. Conductors will be required to open adjacent coach doors allowing access and egress to two cars per conductor. The practice of passengers opening their own doors will delay trains as train crews will no longer be able to walk through the train while it is in motion to close the doors, but will instead have to walk along the platform or though the train to close doors before the train can depart the station.<br /><br />We recognize that change is not always easy and wish to thank you for your cooperation. We would like to assure you that we are monitoring train on time performance and boarding issues , so that any adjustments to schedules can be considered if necessary.<br /><br />Please allow time to board your train at the appropriate door as the closest door will not always be available.<br /><br />For more information regarding these changes, we encourage you to watch our new informational video on “Commuter Rail Boarding Procedures” by opening the following link:<br /><a href="http://vbrick.powerhost.powerstream.net/003/02584/safetyriding.wmv" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://vbrick.powerhost.powerstream.net/003/02584/safetyriding.wmv</a><br /><br />We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation, while we continue our efforts to improve the level of safety for our customers.<br /><br />Thank you for riding the commuter rail.<br />Customer ServiceMassachusetts Bay Commuter Rail<br />Operating the Commuter Rail on behalf of the MBTATrain Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-55995801299087171442010-06-21T12:44:00.002-04:002010-06-21T12:46:02.571-04:00More MBCR MailI guess this post is kind of moot since the delay was a week ago (and luckily I had driven in that day) ...<br /><br />To All of our Worcester Line Customers<br /><br />We would like to extend our apologies for the delays some of you experienced the morning of June 14th. There was a mechanical failure on train P508 at Framingham that unfortunately resulted in delays to subsequent service during the morning peak hours of operation today.<br />The on-board crew worked with our remote technicians but was unable to fully resolve the problem, requiring the train to travel at reduced speed. Upon arrival at South Station this train set was sent to the yard for immediate repairs. Again, we apologize for any delay or discomfort you may have experienced today.<br /><br />Thank you for riding commuter rail.<br />Customer ServiceMassachusetts Bay Commuter Rail<br />Operating the Commuter Rail on behalf of the MBTATrain Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-69431675273218534562010-06-21T12:38:00.002-04:002010-06-21T12:44:10.660-04:00Lots of MBCR CommunicationHello Fellow <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Trainstoppers</span>! It's been awhile since I've visited the blog, but I wanted to pass along a bit of correspondence that I've received from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">MBCR</span> ... and to apologize for the lack of posts. Sadly, my company is now blocking websites with a log in and Commute-a-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">holic</span> is unavailable as well, so my good intentions are falling by the wayside.<br /><br />First off, I want to ask what you all think of the new "board/depart only where there is conductor" policy? It doesn't seem to have adversely impacted the schedule, which is what I feared when it first started ... and everyone seems to be doing a good job for the most part.<br /><br />One thing that is kind of annoying ... the looped announcements at the Grafton T stop thanking us for riding the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">MBTA</span>. One day last week when the train was late, I would have expected the announcement to change, advising us of the delay, but it did not.<br /><br />Here is post #1 from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">MBCR</span> regarding a new commuting survey:<br /><br />To all of our Worcester Line Customers<br /><br />Commuter Rail Newsletter and Survey results are now available!<br /><br />We are pleased to announce that the summer edition of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">MBCR</span> customer newsletter, the “Commuter Express” is now available. We hope to provide these informational pamphlets quarterly to provide our passengers with the latest information. If there is anything special that you would like to see addressed in future editions, please feel free to send your comments/suggestions to: <a href="http://www.mbcr.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.mbcr.net</a><br /><br />The newsletter is available online and can be viewed by clicking on the link below.<br /><a href="http://mbcr.net/customer%20service/Summer_Web.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://mbcr.net/customer%20service/Summer_Web.pdf</a><br /><br /> You may also pick up a copy which can be found at the information booths at Back Bay, South and North Stations. <br /><br />Thank you to all those who participated in our last survey; please log on to the following link to see the results: <a href="http://mbcr.net/Survey_Results.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://mbcr.net/Survey_Results.html</a><br /><br />Thank you for riding commuter rail.<br />Customer <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Service Massachusetts</span> Bay Commuter Rail<br />Operating the Commuter Rail on behalf the of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">MBTA</span>Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-25941781463707891442010-03-16T11:06:00.003-04:002010-03-16T11:18:05.300-04:00Flooded Tracks and Speed RestrictionsDue to the massive rain storms and floods over the past few days, the Worcester/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Framingham</span> line has a 40 MPH speed restriction on the tracks, resulting in delays across the entire line, in addition to the subway.<br /><br />On the commuter rail, the weather impacted yesterday's morning and evening commutes, as well as this morning's commute. In fact, when I got on the train this morning at 7:09, it was actually the P506, which is the local train. So we made all stops on the way into Boston and finally arrived at 8:45 AM. Not sure how much longer the speed restrictions will be in effect.<br /><br />On the Lowell line, the Wilmington station was flooded, causing the closure of that station and delays on that line. All other lines were experiencing 15-20 minute delays.<br /><br />On the T, there was a large sinkhole between the Chestnut Hill and Newton Center stations which shut down the Green Line's D train. Buses replaced the train service on the Green Line, as repairs are expected to take a few days. Flooding was also a concern at Park Street, among other stations.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-20645369339824164232010-02-12T09:30:00.004-05:002010-02-12T09:37:15.708-05:00Late Trains on a Friday MorningIt figures that the one day this week I take the train (two days off, two days driving), that the train is late by almost an hour. I hopped on the train at about 7:20 at Grafton, only to find out it was the p506 (usual departure time is 6:44 AM), so we made all stops into Boston, arriving at 9:00 ...<br /><br />I wonder what happened to the p508? Did it ever pass the p506? I recall hearing an announcement in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Natick</span> that the p508 was behind us, but I don't recall another train passing us, so waiting for the express wouldn't really have helped.<br /><br />Hope everyone enjoys the long weekend!Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-52913210894136577452010-01-28T11:31:00.003-05:002010-01-28T11:37:35.598-05:00The P508 was Late ... I AssumeThis morning was quite an adventure. While standing at the Grafton T stop, I got a T Alert saying that the p508 which usually departs Grafton at 7:09 AM was delayed by 1/2 hour. A few minutes later, a train arrives, so we all board and we head into Boston.<br /><br />Not until we're in Framingham do we hear that the train is actually the P506, which is running on the p508 schedule ... but making all stops to Boston. So really, it wasn't on the p508 schedule at all, because the p508 doesn't stop after Natick. Semantics! We arrived at South Station at about 8:40. I definitely submitted for reimbursement today.<br /><br />I'm not sure what's been going on at night lately, but the P529 (the 6:15 PM departure from South Station) has been all single cars this week, which results in us being jammed into the train like sardines.<br /><br />Hopefully this isn't a sign of bad commutes to come!Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-19183787364761083562010-01-07T10:06:00.003-05:002010-01-07T10:26:10.602-05:00Commuter Rail Schedule Changes and On Time Performance StatisticsEffective Monday, January 11, there will be schedule changes for the following commuter rail lines: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Fairmont</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Fitchburg</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Greenbush</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Haverhill</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Middleborough</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Lakeville</span> and Plymouth/Kingston. <br /><br />Updated schedules can be found at <a href="http://www.mbcr.net/">http://www.mbcr.net</a> or you can pick up paper copies of the schedules at North Station, South Station and Back Bay Station.<br /><br />Ah, these must be consistently late trains in terms of on-time performance, hence, let's make a schedule change! (Do I sound bitter?)<br /><br />I will say that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MBCR</span> website has been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">recently</span> updated and there is a lot of new information on it ... which FINALLY includes On Time <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Performance</span> statistics! No more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">searching</span> out the posters in South Station. The November performance stats can be found here<br /><a href="http://www.mbcr.net/Report_Card/NovOTP.pdf">http://www.mbcr.net/Report_Card/NovOTP.pdf</a>.<br /><br />Overall for November, trains were on time 83% of the time, down from 88% in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">October</span> and 93% in September. On the Worcester line, on time performance in November was 89%, 84% in October and 89% in September, with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">YTD</span> on time performance at 87%.<br /><br />The best performing line continues to be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Greenbush</span>, with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">YTD</span> on time performance at 95%. The worst performing line is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Middleborough</span>, with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">YTD</span> on time performance at 82%. However, for the month of November, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Middleborough</span> only had 26% on time performance. That is completely unacceptable. If I rode the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Middleborough</span> line, I would be livid!<br /><br />Also, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">MBCR</span> now posts the reasons that on time performance was not reached:<br /><ul><li>November 2: Crossing Failure on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Fitchburg</span> line- 10 delays</li><li>November 3: Train 129 Mechanical problems- 11 delays</li><li>November 5: Train 442 fatality on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Fitchburg</span> line line- 12 delays</li><li>November 6: Broken rail at Beverly- 13 delays</li><li>November 7: Train 1703 fatality on Franklin line- 5 delays</li><li>November 9: Train 328 mechanical failure- 17 delays</li><li>November 13: Train 006 mechanical failure- 11 delays</li><li>November 24: Lowell line signal failure- 14 delays</li><li>November 28: Train 1165 fatality on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Newburyport</span> line- 1 cancelled train</li><li>Ongoing Speed restrictions on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Middleboro</span> and Plymouth/Kingston Lines due to concrete tie deterioration causing delays.</li></ul>Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-89329906263569768512010-01-06T11:54:00.002-05:002010-01-06T11:58:52.001-05:00MBCR Announcement Re: Departing TrainsReceived this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MBCR</span> Rail Mail today regarding changes to boarding/departing commuter trains. <br /><br />Effective January 11, 2010, except in the case of emergency, customers will no longer be allowed to enter or exit from the “operating end” of the control coach. The engineer operates the train from this location on inbound trips. Upon arrival into Boston, there are mandatory safety duties for engineers to perform which do not allow for foot traffic through the operating end of these coaches.<br /><br />Signs will be placed on the coach door on that end of all control cars to remind customers of this rule. Please enter and exit only through a door that is attended by a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">crewmember</span>.<br /><br />We appreciate that there will be some inconvenience to our passengers that are accustomed to using the control car exit door, but for safety reasons we must enforce this new policy. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.<br /><br />Commuter rail service information, including updated commuter rail advisories/alerts is available on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">MBTA</span> website at <a title="http://www.mbta.com/" href="http://www.mbta.com/"><a title="http://www.mbta.com" href="http://www.mbta.com/">www.mbta.com</a></a>, or by calling the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MBTA</span> Customer Support Services Center at 617-222-3200.<br /><br />I always sit in the first car, so this will make for a bottleneck once we get to South Station. I wonder why all of a sudden it's a safety concern though? I've been taking the commuter rail for six years and this is the first I've heard about it.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-58686483368257427802010-01-05T09:13:00.002-05:002010-01-05T09:27:40.716-05:00Tuesday On Time CommuteTwo for two with on time commutes so far this <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">year as</span> the p508 was on time to South Station this morning, arriving at 8:23 AM.<br /><br />In other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MBTA</span> news, three former <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MBTA</span> employees <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">plead</span> guilty to <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/01/05/no_show_mbta_boss_to_spend_year_in_jail/">filing false time sheets </a>at their <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MBTA</span> construction/engineering jobs. In essence, they submitted time sheets and were paid for work they did not do because they never even showed up to the work sites. One of the former employees will spend a year in jail and have to pay a $10,000 fine. The other two received two year <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">suspended</span> sentences and two years' probation. Frankly, they should also have to pay back the money they made during this scheme.<br /><br />Also, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MBTA</span> unions have been trying to <a href="http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20091230state_wins_round_vs_mbta_unions/">stop changes to scaled back retiree benefits </a>that were implemented under the new transportation law signed this past summer. The unions have been seeking an injunction on the changes that would reduce health care for retirees. A state judge has rejected the bid, stating that former contracts guaranteeing free health care for life no longer apply. This is a big step in reducing overall costs at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">MBTA</span>.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-1296279719272908552010-01-04T13:14:00.001-05:002010-01-04T13:16:20.664-05:00First Commute of 2010Now that the holidays are over and work has calmed down somewhat, I'm back to riding the rails on a regular basis. This morning's commute on the P508 was right on time, arriving at South Station at 8:22 AM. We did have some minor heating issues in the first car, but other than that, it was a pretty smooth trip.<br /> <br />Passing along some MBCR news that came into my Inbox a few weeks ago with respect to safety ... interestingly enough, this email arrived just after the news broke about that hidden break room in Somerville ...<br /> <br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Commuter Rail “Putting your Safety First” </span><br /><br />Winter is here, thus “tis” the season to be train safe. At MBCR our number one priority is the safety of our passengers and employees. The winter season is upon us and we would like to offer you a few safety tips and reminders:<br /><br /><ul><li>Please arrive at the station and be on the platform 5 to 10 minutes prior to your train’s departure time. To keep your train on time, our conductors must adhere to the departure time shown in the timetable.</li><li>Please be aware that once a conductor has signaled to the engineer that the train is safe to depart, he cannot stop the train to allow you to board, even if he sees you running from the parking lot.</li><li>Customers are reminded that they must never open their own traps and doors, but instead MUST board or exit at a door where a conductor is present.</li><li>Please watch your step when you are boarding and exiting the train; the platform and train stairs could be covered in freshly fallen snow or it could be slick from rain which has turned into ice. Use the handrail at all times! </li><li>When you are on the train, please be aware that the floor of a coach could be wet from passengers boarding and exiting; this could create a slipping hazard.<br /></li></ul><br /><br />Following basic safety rules is very important and we ask all passengers to board and exit trains carefully and responsibly. We need everyone’s cooperation to ensure both a safe and pleasant commute.<br /><br />Most of the this list is just common sense, but I have to comment on the third bullet point. There is no reason why an entire train full of commuters should exit from 1 or 2 doors. At the most, there are three conductors on the train and they cannot monitor every door. This reminds me of the silent strike when they used to make us herd out of 1 door, that delayed train times by almost 20 minutes.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-12200124920744933632009-12-15T10:19:00.002-05:002009-12-15T10:27:20.264-05:00"Safety" First ... Just Wait Until I Finish Watching This MovieI've been traveling for work a fair bit over the last month or so and thus have not been taking the train regularly. I do have some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MBCR</span> updates to post, but first, I wanted to comment on an article in the <a href="http://www.boston.com/yourtown/somerville/articles/2009/12/15/surprise_find_at_somerville_commuter_rail_yard_tvs_dvds_video_games/">Globe today </a>about a secret hideaway for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MBCR</span> employees who work in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Somerville</span>.<br /><br />It seems that working is not really their main focus, instead, the employees (responsible for maintaining the safety of the trains) would disappear to watch movies, play video games, surf the web and look at porn. Amazing that they could get away with it for so long ... and really, how focused could they be on train maintenance if they were otherwise occupied? Unbelievable that this is what we pay for.<br /><br />Here is the article:<br /><br />An investigation led to a strange discovery hidden in a storage room: a makeshift entertainment center, including three televisions, two DVD players, one VHS player, surround-sound speakers, a video game system, and DVDs, some of them pornographic, a transportation official said yesterday.<br /><br />The equipment, slyly camouflaged within the commuter rail’s massive <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Somerville</span> maintenance facility, even had an illegal cable television connection that came through a 1,000-foot cable, said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation is not yet concluded.<br /><br />“This was very much concealed among maintenance parts and equipment,’’ said the official. “Nobody was watching at the time [it was found], but all that property was confiscated.’’<br />No employees have come forward to claim the property since it was found Dec. 8. But six who were absent during a roll call on the evening it was discovered have been suspended as part of the investigation, including one employee who is accused of spending long breaks on the night shift at a bar he is believed to own on the North Shore. It is not clear whether the employee was drinking at the bar while on duty.<br /><br />“Clearly, being off property and at a bar for several hours, regardless of what you’re doing, is inappropriate’’ while on duty, the transportation official said.<br />Attempts to reach union officials representing the suspended workers were unsuccessful yesterday.<br /><br />The employees do not work for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MBTA</span>. They work for a private consortium, the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad, which runs the T’s commuter rail service under a contract with the public agency. The employees work as mechanics at the Boston Engine Terminal, a 375,000-square-foot facility in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Somerville</span> used for locomotive and coach maintenance.<br /><br />“As the result of an ongoing investigation, Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad has suspended six employees, indefinitely, for apparent violations of workplace rules and regulations,’’ the company said in a statement. “Pending final outcome of the investigation, these employees will face full disciplinary action, including termination. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MBCR</span> maintains a zero tolerance policy toward any inappropriate behavior in the workplace.’’<br /><br />The investigation began after the new manager took over the facility about six weeks ago and noticed that employees on the 4 p.m. to midnight shift were taking breaks of 1 1/2 to 2 hours at a time, instead of the customary 30 to 45 minutes, according to the official.<br /><br />While searching for missing employees last week, managers severed two padlocks on the electrical cabinet to find the entertainment center. Two of 14 DVDs hidden in the cabinet were pornographic, the official said. The others were mainstream movies, including “Rambo.’’ Pornography is prohibited under the company’s harassment and discrimination policies, the official said.<br /><br />The company also prohibits employees from bringing in equipment likely to distract them from their jobs. The facility has a break room, but the entertainment center was located far away from it, the official said.<br /><br />The suspended employees, who have not been named, are on unpaid leave, but will be paid retroactively for lost time if cleared. They have not been accused of using the entertainment center. Five have been accused of taking long breaks; the sixth was accused specifically of spending time at the bar, the official said.<br /><br />The company plans to donate the equipment and destroy the videos, the official said.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-1143921136552641832009-11-17T12:15:00.002-05:002009-11-17T12:34:02.998-05:00Parking TicketsThis is strange ... last night when I got to the Grafton parking lot, I had a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MBTA</span> transit police ticket on my car. I know for a fact I paid my $4 parking fee last night, but my ticket was for $15 for "non-payment of parking fee." I'm not even sure how to contest it. Did anyone else have a ticket as well?<br /><br />The P508 was slightly off schedule this morning, arriving at South Station at 8:26 AM, about three minutes behind schedule. Last night on the P 529 (the 6;15 PM departure from South Station), we had to wait about 15 minutes for "paperwork" until we could depart. We ended up getting to Grafton about 20 minutes late. So, sadly, not enough for reimbursement.<br /><br />Interesting note about reimbursements, I'm still waiting for three of them from late trains back in September.<br /><br />In other train news:<br /><br />According to the <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/11/train_bumps_tru.html">Boston Globe</a>, a commuter train at North Station hit a truck parked near the tracks this morning, but no one was injured, authorities said. The inbound train was arriving from Beverly and was making its final stop when it clipped the truck just before 9 a.m., said Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority spokesman Joe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pesaturo</span>. Service was not delayed and passengers departed safely at North Station. The truck was parked to service a portable toilet nearby for rail employees. The driver was connecting a hose from the truck to the toilet as the accident occurred, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Pesaturo</span> said. “It’s been there in the past, but this time the driver parked too close to the tracks,” he said.<br /><br />Last weekend, a Green Line train made a <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/15/mbta_officials_investigating_trolley_incident/">sudden stop</a>, injuring some passengers. The incident happened Saturday night on the Green Line as the trolley departed North Station, heading toward Government Center. Officials tell the Boston Herald that a brake malfunctioned. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">WBZ</span>-TV reported that least 10 people were hurt and four passengers were taken to area hospitals. Transit police Sgt. Bill <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Fredette</span> tells the Herald that none of the injuries appeared to be serious.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-65089481292856268592009-11-04T20:47:00.006-05:002009-11-05T10:12:20.860-05:00Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa<span style="font-size:+0;"></span>A few days of bad commutes means the arrival of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MBCR</span> Rail Mail with their apologies<br /><br />==========================================================<br /><br />To All of Our Worcester Line Customers<br /><br />Please accept our sincere apologies for the delays you have experienced this week on the commuter rail system.<br /><br />We are aware that the reasons for these delays to your commute are of little importance when you simply want to reach your destination on time. We fully understand that what you are looking for is the restoration of reliable, on-time service.<br /><br />Our plan to make this happen will include providing additional resources at Worcester to monitor and assist with mechanical reliability, and increasing management focus on each cause of delay for the foreseeable future. As always, we have reviewed each delay incident with our operating staff to identify ways we can reduce passenger impact for similar incidents in the future.<br /><br />Please be assured that we will continue to work to restore the service to a level of reliability that meets your expectations. Thank you for the opportunity to provide you with this explanation and apology. As always, thank you for riding the commuter rail.<br /><br />========================================================<br /><br />You know, I mentioned this last year <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">around</span> this time ... that there should be some staff either on site or on call in the Worcester area so when <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">mechanical</span> issues occur, we don't need to wait and wait <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">until</span> help arrives in order to even start working on the situation.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-14036016288514586442009-11-04T10:54:00.003-05:002009-11-04T13:22:05.818-05:00MBTA Riders At RiskAccording to a report released by the governor's office, a decade of neglect and mounting financial problems has left the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MBTA</span> with public safety issues that are far more serious than previously revealed and swiftly growing worse. This report was obtained by the <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/11/04/report_finds_ts_riders_at_risk/?comments=all">Globe</a> yesterday. Among the most alarming items in the report is the fact that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MBTA</span> has left more than 50 critically important safety projects unfunded because of a “mountain of red ink.’’<br /><br />One delayed project highlighted in the report, which has been deemed critical to public safety, involves repair of a water leak on the Red Line between Alewife and Harvard stations. The $80 million project would replace a system of slabs and disks, designed to absorb train vibrations, that has been damaged by water leaks. In some areas, fasteners are corroding and the tracks are moving out of alignment, the report states, presenting “the possibility of train derailment.’’The system’s age and the lack of consistent repairs has also had a direct impact on service, according to the report.<br /><br />A recent fire triggered by an old cable buried under muck on the Red Line shut down rush-hour service. It also forced some bus drivers to ferry those Red Line passengers, leaving parts of their regular routes uncovered and causing inconvenience across the system. The publicity forced the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MBTA</span> to agree to replace the cable, a $140 million project, “money that will be diverted from other projects such as overhauling vehicles,’’ the report states.<br /><br />The 51 deferred projects deemed critically important carry a price tag of $543 million. But the T has a total of more than $3 billion in unfunded maintenance projects it considers necessary to keep the system operating smoothly, a list that is growing as trains and buses stay in service beyond their projected life and without crucial overhauls, according to the report.The agency spends $470 million a year on maintenance, but would need an additional $224 million to keep its backlog from growing, the report said.<br /><br />“It’s fair to say that they are not keeping up with the safety standards that they themselves subscribe to,’’ said David F. D’Alessandro, the former John Hancock chairman who led the review. Governor Patrick and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">D'Alessandro</span> will officially release the report today.<br /><br />And although Dan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Grabauskas</span> was ousted this past summer, the report itself is not critical of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">MBTA</span> management. Instead, it places most of the blame on a change in the way the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">MBTA</span> was funded, a change approved by the Legislature in 2000. The idea at the time was to give the T a fixed annual subsidy, abandoning the unwieldy practice of using state money to pay off <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">MBTA</span> expenses at the end of each year. But the state underestimated the agency’s expenses by $558 million between 2000 and 2008, because of unrealistic projections for operating costs that were outside the T’s control.<br /><br />For example, the original plan left no money for workers’ health care cost increases, even though they grew by 73 percent in the first eight years. The T, the state’s largest electricity customer, saw fuel and utility costs more than double over the same period. To balance the books, managers deferred debt payments, masking the size of the T’s problems. By 2013, the agency’s annual debt payment will reach $525 million.<br /><br />Despite the agency’s financial woes, D’Alessandro recommends against raising fares after three increases in the past decade. Before adding still further to the burden on passengers, he wrote, “the riding public deserves to have tangible evidence that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MBTA</span> is improving safety and service, not deteriorating further.’’<br /><br />D’Alessandro, a bluntly spoken former corporate executive, also recommends against further expansion until the T can get its safety and maintenance problems under control. Simply controlling costs, he said, is no solution, given the magnitude of the agency’s problems and the need to employ large numbers of people to run the system.<br /><br />In general, D’Alessandro recommends more transparency and more direct oversight of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">MBTA</span> by the new state transportation board, including a requirement that the T seek approval before it borrows any more money.<br /><br />The strongest recommendation concerns safety. D’Alessandro implores the T’s new oversight board to conduct a high-level examination of what needs fixing. “With 51 projects classified as ‘a danger to life or limb of passengers and/or employees,’ prioritizing these projects against public safety needs is imperative,’’ he wrote.<br /><br />*** Update 1:15 PM 11/04/09 ***<br /><br />Governor Patrick announced during a press conference today that there will be no fare increases on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">MBTA</span> for the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">foreseeable</span> future until these issues are hammered out. Thankfully, someone finally gets it. Riders have been lamenting this for years ... that the experience that we have almost daily on the T does not warrant additional fees to us until the agency gets its crap together.<br /><br />This report didn't really offer anything new for those of us who take the T or commuter rail ... but hopefully it will get the ball rolling on solutions.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-67617926190700069632009-11-04T09:34:00.003-05:002009-11-04T10:00:18.868-05:00Switch Problems Wreak Havoc on the Worcester/Framingham TrainsAnother morning, another 45+ minute delay on the Worcester line this morning. I got to the Grafton station at 7:03 and saw groups of fellow riders milling around by the pay boxes. They were all discussing the delays, it seems the p504 (departs Worcester at 6:05) was delayed over an hour and the p506 (departs Worcester at 6:30) was delayed over 45 minutes.<br /><br />I looked on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">MBTA</span> website from my blackberry and it looked like the p502 had been cancelled and suggested that passengers seek alternate arrangements for transportation. The service alert attributed the delays to switch problems in Worcester.<br /><br />At around 7:20 a train rolled into Grafton. As I went to get on the train, I asked the conductor if it was the p504 and he barked back at me "It's a LOCAL!" Um, thanks for the great customer service!<br /><br />After <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Framingham</span>, one of the conductors announced that our train was actually the p506, which is supposed to get to Boston at 8:11 AM. It was a local, making every stop all the way into the city, and we finally arrived at South Station at about 8:55.<br /><br />One of my co-workers asked me if i thought the new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MDOT</span> agency taking over has anything to do with these delays. I can't imagine why that would be the case, but really, out of 5 commutes this week, 3 of them have been delayed by more than 1/2 hour. It's not even winter yet! I shudder to think what will happen if this is just the beginning.Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14639084447791774.post-47586182176166928402009-11-03T20:51:00.002-05:002009-11-03T20:58:00.315-05:00Another Crappy CommuteTonight's ride home on the p529 was delayed for upwards of 1/2 hour as we sat outside of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Yawkey</span> station due to a "police action" somewhere along the tracks. Both inbound and outbound trains were affected by the delay. So, out of four commutes this month so far, two of them have resulted in delays of 1/2 hour or more and thus, reimbursement requests.<br /><br />Hope this isn't a sign of things to come!Train Riderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13770262736281370513noreply@blogger.com0