Worcester Line Holiday Schedule Update

The MBTA still has not corrected the press release about the 2008 Holiday Schedule. Fear not, Worcester-Framingham line riders, Newtonville Train Rider shared the following:

I called the "customer service" line. I was at least able to learn that the P515 will be going all the way to Worcester, and the P519 will be making the Newton and Wellesley stops.

They didn't have a list of the changes; he just had to compare the two schedules and identify the differences. There could be more than the two I listed!

I don't know if other trains are impacted, but I sure hope this information helps.

In other news, at least the team at Daily Worcesteria is trying to find out the on-time performance reports for the Worcester line. But, neither the MBTA nor the MBCR is being that helpful. Check this out:

The MBTA and train operator MBCR used to be one of the best with responding to information requests: We’d ask for on time performance numbers for the Worcester line for a certain time frame, and get a response; usually within a few hours, occasionally within a day. How times have changed. In November, we emailed Joe Pesaturo at MBTA, asking him for October data. He told us it wouldn’t be ready until December. On Monday, we emailed MBCR spokesman Scott Farmelant, who told us he was out until Wednesday. On Tuesday, Pesaturo told us to email Farmelant; when we told him Farmelant was out, he responded he had forwarded our request to the railroads operation staff. We’re still waiting on the numbers.

Governor Patrick - since you've made a lot of people unhappy with your selection of James Aloisi as the new Transportation Secretary, perhaps you can hold the MBTA/MBCR accountable with providing on-time performance results of the commuter rail lines IMMEDIATELY after the month closes, not months later. Lt. Governor Tim Murray - you seem interested in transportation - what about holding some people accountable?

Happy Holidays!!

Commuter Rail Buzz . . . from the Blogsphere

I noticed that Helen of "The Importance of Dessert" continues to keep her elected officials updated regarding the performance issues of the Worcester-Framingham commuter rail line. In a post last week, Helen noted that she received a letter back from her state representative, Alice Hanlon Peisch.

I encourage everyone (whether you ride the Worcester-Framigham line or another commuter rail line) to send a letter or an email to their own elected officials, telling them that the on-time performance for the commuter rail lines is not acceptable.

In other news, commuter rail riders on the North Shore were again impacted by the rail bridge in Beverly. This is the third time this month that the bridge had issues. Third time this month - third time this year. . .either way you look at it, this is pretty bad. We've only had 12 business days this month. From that standpoint, the bridge is breaking every four days!!

Finally, The Newton Tab published an article on Tuesday about the pending Amtrak strike. From an information standpoint, the Tab's reporters didn't really provide any new details about the strike. But, as a local paper, the Tab did find some great quotes made by Newton-based commuter rail riders.

However, I hope officials do not listen to one of the Newtonites quoted:

But, the delays won’t change much for Newton resident Bill Hartner.“It is not so terrible,” he said, standing next to the track. “There are other ways to get to Boston. People will go another way.”

Maybe Mr. Hartner doesn't think the strike will be "so terrible." However, for those of us who live more than 10 miles from downtown Boston, the strike could have serious consequences.

The Amtrak strike doesn't really give options to commuters west of Newton . . . nor people on the Providence line. I don't think driving is an option. Everyone knows how busy the highways are now, especially the Mass Pike, 95 North from Providence, and 128. I would be concerned if there's residual effects on the T because of Amtrak (such as a loss in revenue). I think no one wants to talk about it, but I think this strike can happen.