tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51449692485227288732024-03-07T19:41:44.608-05:00Charlie on the MBTAA blog that follows issues of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and observations on Boston life in general. Now all night long
Charlie rides through the tunnels crying "What will become of me? How can I afford to see My sister in Chelsea Or my cousin in Roxbury?" (C)1948 Jacqueline Steiner and Bess Lomax HawesFenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.comBlogger233125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-78689993860119160242014-09-11T22:36:00.000-05:002014-09-11T22:47:33.228-05:00Can the T make the Assembly Orange Line Station viable?<img alt="Photo: Our new $30 million dollar subway station" src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/p403x403/10620563_10204029648994245_1365411623113523228_n.jpg?oh=a52dcdf717e730f0d934123f829f8e09&oe=54889F66" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The new Assembly Square station, located between Wellington station (in Medford) and Sullivan Square station (in Charlestown), cost $29.2 million and is one of six new stations planned for Somerville in the next decade, the MBTA reports.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But as of September 11th the T has made no announcement about having any bus service to the new station.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However both the <a href="http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/bus/routes/?route=90" target="_blank">90 - Davis Square - Wellington Station via Sullivan Square Station & Assembly Mall</a> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and <a href="http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/bus/routes/?route=92" target="_blank">92 - Assembly Sq. Mall - Downtown via Sullivan Sq. Sta., Main St. & Haymarket Sta</a>.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">service the adjacent mall. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This would only take a minor adjustment on the 2 routes but the T doesn't change bus routes easily. For example the <a href="http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/bus/routes/?route=99" target="_blank">99 - Boston Regional Medical Center- Wellington Station via Main St. & Malden Center Station </a> </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">terminates at a hospital that CLOSED 15 years ago. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The T could also easily extend the 86, 91 and CT1 to Assembly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a no-brainer.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-11813942818527878372010-08-04T19:48:00.000-05:002010-08-04T19:48:14.718-05:00Yes Virginia - The A Line DID existI would say this paicture is circa 1965 - The Pru is completed by the CITGO sign is still with the old brand name. The A WATERTOWN line was suspended in 1969...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2416020047_6f6e1b4513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2393/2416020047_6f6e1b4513.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span id="fullpost">Type rest of the post here </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-1934061318480784622010-06-25T14:58:00.000-05:002010-06-25T14:58:11.722-05:00MBTA expanding its driver's license requirement - Boston.com<a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/19/mbta_expanding_its_drivers_license_requirement/?camp=obinsite">MBTA expanding its driver's license requirement - Boston.com</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-4125402429756314202010-06-25T14:56:00.001-05:002010-06-25T14:59:12.233-05:00Blaming BC students? Not so fast - The Boston Globe<a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/06/25/blaming_bc_students_not_so_fast/?camp=misc:on:share:article">Blaming BC students? Not so fast - The Boston Globe</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-31021249430724274692010-06-24T13:04:00.001-05:002010-06-25T14:35:36.555-05:00WOOHOO - NEXTBUS has added new routesGREAT NEWS - The T has added more routes to the Next Bus system. Routes now available are <b>#1,#4,#15,#22,#23,#28,#32,#39,#57,#66,#71,#73,#77,#111,#114,#116 and #117 </b><span id="fullpost"> I tested it on the #66 and it is working perfectly on my cellphone. <br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.nextbus.com/predictor/stopSelector.jsp?a=mbta&r=1">LINK TO WEBSITE</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.nextbus.com/wirelessConfig/index.htm">CELLPHONE INFO</a></b><br />
<br />
Hopefully we will soon see this in the subway on the signs at each station.<br />
<br />
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-90789662536908214892010-05-25T21:40:00.001-05:002010-05-25T21:40:54.177-05:00MBTA sacks five more managers in alleged mileage scheme - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe<a href=http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2010/05/mbta_sacks_five.html>MBTA sacks five more managers in alleged mileage scheme - Local News Updates - MetroDesk - The Boston Globe</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-18960489231779934882010-05-24T15:01:00.000-05:002010-05-24T15:01:38.033-05:00Can't anybody build a new subway car anymore?Can't anyone build a new subway car anymore? <span id="fullpost"> As we have seen with the new Blue Line cars in Boston it seems that nobody really knows how to build a new subway car. <br />
<br />
Chicago has new cars on order and the reviews are not good. <br />
<br />
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automotive/commute/ct-met-getting-around-0524-20100523,0,5331068,full.column<br />
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-6783091145842359172007-03-21T22:18:00.000-05:002007-03-21T22:20:53.178-05:00Some T stations to be unstaffed at night?A customer service agent told me that some T stations, including Davis and the outbound side of Central Square, will be unstaffed every night starting this Saturday. She wasn't sure whether the last station agent would leave at 7 pm or 10 pm. <br /><br />Needless to say, she doesn't think this is a good idea, and neither do I. Anyone know more?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Ron Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482820181807248794noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-53870781657217725512007-03-16T09:42:00.000-05:002007-03-16T08:49:35.498-05:00saying goodbye to the Boeing Green Line cars<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruiIYdU5vyMjc0yFh7omcP-lpNb2CXcOLE4UVWsVm_kvbGQ4fXP0dpZ_X4eeSKTRphJSz6k59bQkZAjrDOfJfuJuI42nYAlZwHyvAvkrzgMh4nEfiAnad8KbozR5rsLp3Fv6zS1lGNOAb/s1600-h/LRV.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042518097127119026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruiIYdU5vyMjc0yFh7omcP-lpNb2CXcOLE4UVWsVm_kvbGQ4fXP0dpZ_X4eeSKTRphJSz6k59bQkZAjrDOfJfuJuI42nYAlZwHyvAvkrzgMh4nEfiAnad8KbozR5rsLp3Fv6zS1lGNOAb/s400/LRV.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>(Globe Photo / Jodi Hilton)<br /></strong><div><strong><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/16/end_of_the_line_for_t_pioneers/">From Mac Daniel in Friday's Globe<br /></a></strong></div><blockquote>Now, after years of being cannibalized for spare parts, the Boeings -- which first hit the rails on Dec. 29, 1976 -- are making just one trip a day on the D branch of the Green Line. Only two are used on any given day.<br /><br />"If we get one good trip out of it, we feel good," said Peter Messina, chief inspector at Riverside. "It's like having an old person around, you know? They can only walk so much. They can only go so far. I came on the job before they were here, and they're going to retire before me."<br /><br />The last trips were scheduled for today, but snow could cancel them.<br /><br />Most of the remaining trolleys will be disassembled by backhoe for scrap metal. One car may go to a trolley museum in Maine, and about six could find new life scraping slush off overhead trolley lines.</blockquote><div><strong>originally written in January</strong><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNOQziFd0bm7-1bUIKBg72CDZilTAfqtoq12XvTF5yalL8_eE_t9YfFs722l4JA4slyo72dRignUhmHJr7shPo5VpL403oH9I277Z6a2HMYcgk5UqPF2NHqT9QZasVI9iKf2o-vwX9ODo/s1600-h/greenline.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019245145856184834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNOQziFd0bm7-1bUIKBg72CDZilTAfqtoq12XvTF5yalL8_eE_t9YfFs722l4JA4slyo72dRignUhmHJr7shPo5VpL403oH9I277Z6a2HMYcgk5UqPF2NHqT9QZasVI9iKf2o-vwX9ODo/s400/greenline.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">There are only a few left in service and as Breda finally delivers the last cars in an order than has been a saga in itself for over 9 years, the </span><span style="font-family:arial;">infamous Boeing cars will soon be retired. The Green Line cars numbered in the 34-3500's were supposed to be the future when they were introduced in late 1976. They were the first new streetcars bought by the T since 1951 and they were a disaster. But in this case the T wasn't at fault. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">The Urban Mass Transportation Administration (UMTA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation decided that the MBTA and the San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) should work together in producing a new generation of streetcar. What wound up happening was </span><span style="font-family:arial;">that both the T and MUNI were forced to accept things they didn't want in the new cars so it would be able to run on both systems. The contract was put out to bid and was awarded to a helicopter manufacturer Boeing-Vertol and the order would be for 250 cars (150 for Boston). The one major difference in the order was that Boston would have air conditioning something not needed in San Francisco. </span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />In Boston there were problems with derailments, power failures and doors (which had over 1300 parts) closing unexpectedly on passengers. In San Francisco they found that only 2 of the 3 doors could function in the Market Street Subway. The T sued Boeing-Vertol for the repairs and won $34 million dollars in damages.and Boeing in turn was able to convince San Francisco to buy 40 of the cars that the T no longer wanted. The T tested a Canadian made LRV for 3 months in 1980 but in the end decided to build their next cars from scratch. Eventually the new design would become the </span><span style="font-family:arial;">Type 7 cars manufactured by </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinki_Sharyo"><strong><span style="font-family:arial;">Kinki-Sharyo of Japan</span></strong></a><span style="font-family:arial;"> (numbered in the 36-3700's) starting in 1986 and for the most part the T only ran the remaining Boeing cars during rush hour. The Kinki </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkShAyk0oidvOO-RpvSmAcj0W3pbvrlXSv34o7PRivEgG-HDmXamSsQMBWuI_sVCDcokbPLgyGpQVcQsBNnQlNzhFJp3QDeWtYdFFXpgATKm0hwh-Cc5B1GOe-0hpEOgBG7R5PYlosnfs4/s1600-h/muni.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019361045548667442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; CURSOR: pointer" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkShAyk0oidvOO-RpvSmAcj0W3pbvrlXSv34o7PRivEgG-HDmXamSsQMBWuI_sVCDcokbPLgyGpQVcQsBNnQlNzhFJp3QDeWtYdFFXpgATKm0hwh-Cc5B1GOe-0hpEOgBG7R5PYlosnfs4/s320/muni.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;">cars proved to be very reliable and the T bought 20 more 10 years later. San Francisco decided to replace their Boeings with cars manufactured by an Italian company named Breda. Boston then decided that instead of ordering the new Type 8 cars 10 years ago from <em>Kinki-Sharyo</em> that they as well would use Breda which has proven to be a disaster equal to the Boeings. The Breda cars were supposed to be fully delivered in 1998 but the T will take final delivery sometime in 2007 on the remaining cars.<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Still there is a certain nostalgia concerning the Boeing cars though they will never be as beloved as the old PCC cars they replaced. They were a part of Boston for 30 years but it is time to say goodbye to them.</span><span style="font-family:Arial;"> Those interested can read more on the MBTA's problems with streetcars in an article written some <strong><a href="http://members.aol.com/netransit/private/LRV.html">9 years ago by Scott Moore</a></strong>. The last words in the article proved to be incorrect and we the riders continue to suffer. </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong>The new cars are expected to arrive sometime in 1997 or 1998. With the MBTA planning on keeping the LRVs until 1999, it is possible that the system has learned from the mistakes of the past, and will be much more careful when purchasing rail-cars in the future.</strong></span><br /><br /><br /></div></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwZ0ieN_qsT6dOzR79_FKElN9dI6B7frEUwstjbD8WSiW1P_eRI40QLFqPfaWoagsLIOc_MBnt3wDBfsjgrUYEgOYDUbnf_Uf7vykx959E3XFm97a0uRDZemPKoIMwDgT-Vm8xnQf4LuI/s1600-h/3420.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5019244969762525682" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwZ0ieN_qsT6dOzR79_FKElN9dI6B7frEUwstjbD8WSiW1P_eRI40QLFqPfaWoagsLIOc_MBnt3wDBfsjgrUYEgOYDUbnf_Uf7vykx959E3XFm97a0uRDZemPKoIMwDgT-Vm8xnQf4LuI/s400/3420.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-1038977766091490222007-03-15T13:29:00.000-05:002007-03-15T13:46:31.552-05:00Charlie's Mailbag - March 15thtrying to catch up on the mail at <a href="mailto:charlieonthembta@gmail.com"><strong>charlieonthembta@gmail.com</strong></a><br /><br /><strong>Stephanie writes about Charlie refunds</strong><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>In November, I bought a Charlie Ticket for use on the Green line so I would not have to use tokens. Unfortunately, no one had told me that tickets were not accepted on the green line. By advise of a T agent, I sent a charlie ticket in for a refund in November so that I could buy tokens. After numerous calls (and rude responses including "too bad, people who sent their tickets in June are still waiting for refunds"), I reached the "proper" person. Someone named Barbara? She said that tickets were non-refundable and that T agents were making things up by telling people that they could get refunds. After that, it was announced that Charlie Cards were soon to be released. I found out that Charlie tickets could be changed into Charlie cards. After numerous tries, I reached her again and requested by Charlie Ticket back so I could turn it into a Charlie Card. She told me to call her back on January 31 if I still had not received my charlie ticket. I also tried the MBTA "write to the top". After an apology letter for not returning my email for several months, I get a response saying that my email has been forwarded. Since then, I have not heard anything from the "write to the top" and I have not been able to reach Barbara. She never returns phone calls and she never picks up. Sometimes her answering machine is completely full. It is now March 14 and still nothing. I was wondering if anyone might be able to give me the contact information of someone who might be able to help me get my refund or my charlie ticket back. It seems that other people on the website are more successful than I am at getting refunds. I am owed $16.25. </blockquote><br />Since this fiasco started the T has opened a new Customer Service Department so you might want to contact them and see if they can figure out what is going on. I know the T watches the blog so maybe that will help as well. Let us know what happens<br /><br /><strong>Paul writes</strong><br /><br /><blockquote>tried to search for these answers on your site, as an FYI.<br /><br />I was wondering if anyone has posted in regards to the new CHARLIE gates not opening very well or quickly when people come up to them.<br /><br />and...<br /><br />has anyone ever commented on the escalator etiquette (stand on the right, unless you are passing) and how the MBTA subways cars could actually fit more people on them, if passengers removed their bags and backpacks from their backs/shoulders?<br /><br />cheers </blockquote>The slow faregates have been mentioned several times. There doesn't seem to be a uniform standard on how they open.<br /><br />Your other points are common sense which sadly is lost on many riders.<br /><br /><strong>Mike wants to pass on a link<br /><br /></strong><strong></strong><blockquote>Saw your recent posts about SF, Chicago, and Boston… and thought I would send this link along.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.publicroutes.com/"><strong>http://www.publicroutes.com</strong></a><br /><br />Think of it as mapquest for public transit. </blockquote>Thanks Mike. I am sure many will find it useful.<br /><br /><strong>and David has some concerns about the blog<br /></strong><blockquote>Charlie,<br /><br />I like your Charlie on the MBTA blog, but lately the entire tone has just become nothing but complaints. When I first started reading it I was compelled by the fact that it wasn't just the classic Boston/MBTA blog where people write in and relentlessly complain about their commutes, etc. If people are so fired up about issues that they think should be fixed on the T they should write the T and if that doesn't work, their elected representatives, the governor, etc. Get results oriented, or quit complaining.<br /><br />I liked your piece on the trolley cars you saw in San Fran, and some of the other pieces you have done on the history of the T, how the T runs, etc. Those tend to get responses from people who want to discuss transit, rather than just complain. I know a blog is just somewhere people can post their opinions, but maybe there is something that can be done to set the tone. Alternatively, if the blog is designed to solicit opinions for public action, perhaps you could incorporate an element to actually facilitate that happening, such as on-line petitions, that could actually be conveyed to a public official. Again, I like your blog and appreciate the hard work you put into it. I just hope it does not deteriorate into a message board of complaints that no one follows up on. </blockquote>Thanks David for the note.<br /><br />Obviously people tend to write more when something goes wrong but we have encouraged people to tell GOOD T stories as well.<br /><br />I hope as we evolve that some of your ideas will start to happen. One reason I have been reporting on other cities is to show the MBTA is not alone with problems but perhaps they can learn from how other cities cope with moving people around.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-61396425484314921722007-03-15T09:24:00.000-05:002007-03-15T09:40:10.673-05:00Charlie sees America the Amtrak way.....One forgets just how big the USA is until you go coast to coast in one trip on Amtrak.<br /><br />I left San Francisco at 8:20 AM on Sunday morning and arrived at South Station Wednesday evening at 7 PM.<br /><br />The first day of the trip was enjoyable as the train went thru the Sierra Nevada mountain range on a perfect day and a California railroad museum had a narrator between Sacremento and Reno. <br /><br />Then a long trip thru the Nevada desert as the train was forced to travel no faster than 30 because of track work being done by the Union Pacific. Monday brought Utah and Western Colorado on another perfect day but we were running 5 hours late.<br /><br />Tuesday we awoke in Omaha and then spent the rest of the day traveling through Iowa and Illinois arriving in Chicago at 7:35 PM giving me 20 minutes to make the Boston train.<br /><br />Wednesday at 7 AM we were forced to leave the train in Buffalo and take a shuttle bus to Albany as the tracks were closed because of a major accident near Syracuse. Trust me riding a bus after being on a train for 3 days is not fun.<br /><br />My bags decided to stay in Chicago and hopefully will arrive today.....<br /><br />Still I would highly recommend that everybody do the cross country trip ONCE....<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-31607557151707692282007-03-15T08:31:00.000-05:002007-03-15T08:42:32.338-05:00Last Boeing LRV run will be on Friday March 16thCharlie is back in Boston exhausted after almost 4 days on Amtrak (more on that later)..... and can report that Iowa is boring<br /><br />2 months ago we wrote about the <strong><a href="http://charlieonthembta.blogspot.com/2007/01/saying-goodbye-to-boeing-green-line.html">end coming for the Boeing LRV's on the Green Line</a></strong> and that day has arrived.<br /><br /><strong>WEATHER PERMITTING</strong> the final Boeing revenue run will leave Riverside at 11 AM on Friday with the return trip scheduled to leave Government Center at 11:40 AM.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-6390077513093975512007-03-15T08:20:00.000-05:002007-03-15T08:28:02.744-05:00MBCR replies to Worcester Line service complaintKelly Crosby complained to MBCR about consistently late trains on the Worcester Line:<br /><blockquote><br />Greetings,<br />I have been very happy with the results I have received from this form in the past, and hope to get an answer now.<br /><br />I understand why the Framingham / Worcester line has so many problems; I knew its situation when I started riding it. Most of the time, service is acceptable.<br /><br />However, I have one question. I take the 7:07am train out of Worcester daily (boarding at Ashland and riding to South Station.) I take the 4:58pm Worcester express home (exiting at Ashland.) I have been riding these trains for many moons now, and they are consistently 10 to 15 minutes late. I have come to accept that this is just the way it is, but my question is this: why does the MBTA not update the schedules to allow for these extra daily delays? Are the schedules posted for the Worcester line just goals? Why not just say that the 7:07am train will arrive in South Station at 8:35 (as it consistently does) rather than aim for 8:23am, which is, frankly, impossible?<br /><br />I am not trying to be rude or complain about a certain incident. My fellow passengers and I discuss this often and would truly like a valid response. We would be a lot less frustrated if the schedules were updated and followed accurately, even if it meant admitting that the trains would be arriving later.<br /></blockquote><br />Linda Dillon of MBCR Customer Service replied:<blockquote><br />I have read your email concerning the scheduling of trains on the Worcester Line.<br /><br />Please allow me to attempt to explain the rather unique situation we encounter on this line.<br /><br />Scheduling trains is a difficult process, and with each review that is done prior to a change, a number of factors are taken into consideration. With some trains, or train times, crew and equipment availability is a problem. In other areas, we have to balance our schedules with other companies, whether passenger rail or freight. Of course in this instance, on the Worcester Line, I am sure you are well aware that we are at the mercy of CSX, the owner/operator of this line; whether it is a matter of imposed speed restrictions, the times that they are running their freight trains, or the ongoing track work along the Worcester main line. There is also the impact that changing the time of one train will have to not only other trains on the line, but along the system as well. Many lines share stops as they come closer to Boston, so there must be some balance between the trains.<br /><br />I have forwarded your comments about the Worcester Line trains to personnel in the Operations and Planning Department, to be considered in future discussions.<br /><br />While I realize that I have not provided a solution, I do apologize for the frequent inconveniences and hope that this information is helpful.</blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Ron Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482820181807248794noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-69076207722661930362007-03-11T20:27:00.000-05:002007-03-11T20:34:45.043-05:00A reader writes: Disappointed in Mac Daniel's column today[Until Charlie returns from the West Coast, I'll be occasionally fillling in for him. -- Ron Newman]<br /><br />From today's mailbag:<br /><br />Hi Charlie on the M(B)TA,<br /><br />Below is a copy of a letter I sent to the Globe today. Nothing new<br />in it, but I was really dumbfounded by <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/11/halted_construction_congests_route_128/?page=2">the silly Starts & Stops<br />column this morning</a>.<br /><br />BTW, I'm a native SF-er who's lived in Boston for the past three<br />years. Glad you liked "my" city and its transit system. BART is far<br />better than commuter rail (hey -- it may be dirty, but at least the<br />lights work!), and I think is a good model for an commuter-friendly,<br />region-wide system.<br /><br />MUNI has gotten a lot better over the last 10 years; former mayor<br />Willie Brown set out to fix it, and I think he did a pretty good<br />job. Shows that maybe even the stodgy ol' MBTA could be given a<br />shaking-up.<br /><br />Jon Roberts<br />Boston, MA<br /><br /><blockquote><br />Date: March 11, 2007 9:32:05 AM PDT<br />To: starts@globe.com<br />Cc: ombud@globe.com, letter@globe.com<br />Subject: Disappointed in reporting<br /><br />Dear Mr. Daniel,<br /><br />I enjoy your column and the "transport beat" that you have at the<br />Globe. But I'm starting to wonder where the teeth are in your<br />articles. In <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/11/halted_construction_congests_route_128/?page=2">today's Starts & Stops</a>, you mention three people who<br />complained to the T, but whose complaints the T has no record of.<br />A new customer service system "may" be the issue for having, it<br />would seem, systematically tossed complaint letters in the trash?<br />Why let it go at that? Why not ask the next five or ten questions<br />that naturally follow on?<br /><br />It seems that of all the local travesties, the T is handled with<br />the "kiddest" of gloves. Massport, the Turnpike Authority, and<br />others all get a good grilling, but the T is let off with their<br />spokespeople saying "oh, good point, we'll look into it.".<br /><br />I think the Globe really needs to turn its eye to some of the<br />fundamental issues at the T. A few that pop right to mind:<br /><br />* Why is customer service responsiveness so poor? Why does the T<br />feel so unaccountable to its customers and to the media?<br /><br />* Why are projects so delayed? Kenmore Station? Charles Street?<br /><br />* Why is service so spotty? The boarding delays with Charlie on<br />the Green line? Commuter rail cars with no heat or lights?<br /><br />* Are funds being spent properly?<br /><br />These are important local issues that deserve strong investigative<br />reporting. The T isn't the Kremlin; it's a taxpayer-funded,<br />service-providing, fully accountable agency. I would hope Globe<br />would treat it as such.<br /><br />Best,<br />Jon Roberts<br />Boston, MA<br /></blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Ron Newmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03482820181807248794noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-24775060351959126302007-03-10T21:33:00.000-05:002007-03-10T21:40:29.432-05:00Charlie is on the way home ( but it may take awhile)I have no idea on when the blog will next update as I head home on Amtrak starting at 9 AM out of Emeryville, CA and start the long trip east.<br /><br />The train is "supposed" to arrive in Chicago at 3 PM on Tuesday and then I connect to the train to Boston 5 hours later.....but<br /><br />Amtrak concedes that Train #6 from California does not make it back in time to connect to the Eastern trains so I may not be back at South Station until THURSDAY!!! If things go well with the connection in Chicago I will be back in Boston Wednesday evening.<br /><br />However please continue to email us at charlieonthembta@gmail.com and if something major develops will will somehow find a way to update the blog.<br /><br />Thanks all for your support and may everyone have good commutes next week.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-82099438114835267912007-03-10T21:09:00.000-05:002007-03-10T21:32:27.072-05:00last words from San FranciscoThis is my last night in San Francisco and will be on the long trip home by Amtrak starting tomorrow (Sunday)<br /><br />While the locals may complain about it for the most part public transportation in the Bay Area is quite good. The only drawback I can see is that you have many separate transportation agencies and transferring between them can be a little complicated. The systems have been working on a unified smartcard system but now it appears BART is going off on their own and it is unclear if the BART card will work on the other systems.<br /><br /><a href="http://bart.gov">BART</a> is showing its age ( now over 30 years old ) and the system is showing wear and tear especially on the rail cars. I did find the vending machines easy to use and trains came quickly when the real time signs said they would.<br /><br />The <a href="http://sfmuni.com">MUNI</a> system in San Francisco uses streetcars, trackless trolleys, buses and of course the famous cable cars. The buses on average are older than Boston but I never had to wait too long for one and they can climb the hills in this city. They also have real time info on some routes in the bus shelters which was quite helpful.<br /><br />Overall I found getting around the area easy by public transportation.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHxeBCViO4xQ2P8DQ7dgabzjuEu2Rd0ejhtQFAlrWRsmiOEjil6JW4dD8hbWu8MUSIdWes1z4PDAsJiIvHZjRyZz6z_EJAdPObCBC4UCgHM5wblIinMLVZrgIH7hC0CwoYVqT7mwQ961A/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizHxeBCViO4xQ2P8DQ7dgabzjuEu2Rd0ejhtQFAlrWRsmiOEjil6JW4dD8hbWu8MUSIdWes1z4PDAsJiIvHZjRyZz6z_EJAdPObCBC4UCgHM5wblIinMLVZrgIH7hC0CwoYVqT7mwQ961A/s320/4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040485881811409058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtzs0O9BJT9vTM6tkZI3ku5L72kGd8qODUtJe4lROENhEqnHSst7tqzQE9PPHVBNt0l9EykVsy6tVMewLzScHShM-_CaC2s5axCnjctCXr3DI2JFoc11Z2vhu2eHOkBlEaf1WQYHv0FWd/s1600-h/2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjtzs0O9BJT9vTM6tkZI3ku5L72kGd8qODUtJe4lROENhEqnHSst7tqzQE9PPHVBNt0l9EykVsy6tVMewLzScHShM-_CaC2s5axCnjctCXr3DI2JFoc11Z2vhu2eHOkBlEaf1WQYHv0FWd/s320/2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040484838134356082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K1zS9TAA1uuy5pacrq35ZxZeIdctB341RkhxA6BD78fMJkjuxihFw0zYD4tuLeccPvcwxb2UnzVySBc15N9TegePNTxP8z-prxhud4rRck1QWh14HPwqTfU_DFY9vJH_gJvhyphenhyphent7g8f_H/s1600-h/2-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K1zS9TAA1uuy5pacrq35ZxZeIdctB341RkhxA6BD78fMJkjuxihFw0zYD4tuLeccPvcwxb2UnzVySBc15N9TegePNTxP8z-prxhud4rRck1QWh14HPwqTfU_DFY9vJH_gJvhyphenhyphent7g8f_H/s320/2-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040485160256903298" border="0" /></a><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-15529739636186096562007-03-10T16:25:00.000-05:002007-03-10T16:38:45.263-05:00SF Mayor considers making transit freeAs I wrap up my time in California I saw this story in the San Francisco Chronicle<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/07/BAG8ROGRI21.DTL&hw=MUNI&sn=001&sc=1000">Mayor tells Muni to investigate eliminating fares</a></strong><br /><strong></strong><blockquote>San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has asked transit officials to study eliminating fares on city buses, streetcars and cable cars -- a plan that if enacted would be the largest such experiment in the nation.<br /><br />"If it could happen anywhere, it could happen in San Francisco," said Newsom, who said free transit could lure people out of their cars and cut traffic.<br /><br />No major transit agency in America has a systemwide free-fare policy. But more than a dozen cities -- including Seattle, Portland and Salt Lake City -- offer free rides in their downtown business corridors. The small East Bay city of Emeryville provides free bus shuttle service around town and to and from an Oakland BART station. </blockquote><br /><br />I hope to have more on transit in the Bay Area later but it is obvious that fare evasion is a HUGE problem in San Francisco.<br /><br />Meanwhile BART has a fare evasion problem as well<br /><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/09/BAGREOIB221.DTL&hw=BART&sn=001&sc=1000"><strong>BART losing revenue through ticket scams - Recent fraud find: Manipulation of magnetic strip</strong> </a><blockquote>He and others on the BART management team are banking on new technology, so-called smart cards. The cards, which resemble credit cards, are embedded with microprocessor chips that can be used for various transactions, such as adding and deducting value on a transit ticket. Officials believe they are more secure than magnetic strips.<br /><br />BART hopes to have the new system in place within two years. People would be able to use the smart cards to pay for parking at station lots and for BART rides. The chips could be expanded beyond cards and made even more user-friendly by embedding them in cell phones and watches. </blockquote><br /><strong><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/03/08/BAG4POHHKD1.DTL&hw=BART&sn=002&sc=675">and BART riders grumble that their trains are dirty<br /></a></strong><blockquote>The dirty little secret about BART is out: Trains aren't as clean as passengers want them to be. <br /><br />A new customer satisfaction survey commissioned by BART found increasing dissatisfaction over the trains' grimy interiors. <br /><br />"It's not at all a surprise to us,'' said BART spokesman Linton Johnson. <br /><br />Past budget cuts, he said, meant less money for cleaning crews. The decision was made to sacrifice cleanliness to focus resources on making the trains run on time, Johnson said. He said the agency is moving to replenish the work force of 77 car-cleaning positions, which had been down 10 workers at one point. </blockquote><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-50791594629262899382007-03-09T17:06:00.000-05:002007-03-09T17:25:40.769-05:00Charlie's Mailbag - March 9thchecking the mailbag at <a href="mailto:charlieonthembta@gmail.com"><strong>charlieonthembta@gmail.com</strong></a><br /><br />I have been having some problems with my wireless card in California so that is the reason the blog has been updating later in the day back East as I have been forced to use the San Francisco Public Library ( which is quite nice and modern )<br /><br /><strong>Andy thinks the "new" North Station could be better</strong> <blockquote>I know this is ungrateful, especially after the T worked so hard to improve the plight of space-constrained North Station commuters...but I have a question/complaint about the cosmetics of the new and improved station.<br /><br />What's with the black and tan ceiling and walls? The gray columns? Why the stygian darkness? Perhaps it complements the outer decor of the platforms and provides an optical transition as one hustles to or from the brightly lit inner hallway. It will hide the dirt. Maybe the T doesn't want people hanging around, clogging up the waiting area. I doubt there's much potential for that. But I don't think it would have hurt to use brighter hues, even a little white to turn a gloomy space into a less gloomy space.<br /><br />The North Station do-over had a lot of potential for dulling my South Station envy, but so far I'm not sure we made much progress here.<br /><br />I'd be happy to volunteer on the paint detail if the T should change its mind. I also know a real 'fab' interior decorator who can work miracles. One is needed here.<br /><br />Andy from Ipswich </blockquote><br /><br />The T is not responsible for North Station. The new improvements were done by the Delaware North Company of Buffalo who owns the Garden. Hopefully it will be a bit brighter when the new retail shops that are promised open.<br /><br /><strong>Amy wonders what is causing slowdowns on the Orange Line</strong><br /><blockquote>Hi Charlie,<br />I've been riding the orange line ever since I can remember, and<br />recently I've noticed that, going inbound and outbound between<br />Sullivan Square and Community College, the train slows down<br />considerably. At this part in the track, the train is on a bridge and<br />its leaning quite a bit to one side. It's always leaned like that but<br />never gone so slow over that one part as it has in the past few<br />months. Any reason for this?<br />Love your blog!<br />-Amy</blockquote>I don't have the answer but I am pretty certain somebody will let us know in short order.<br /><br /><strong>Ian writes in about the T's trip planner</strong><br /><br /><br /><blockquote><p>I'm a huge fan of your blog, and especially of the Boston Transit Camp idea, which I think would be a lot of fun. I wanted to write you with a quick comment about the T's new web site. </p><p>It's obvious that the T (or TransitWorks; whoever is in charge of the site) wanted to give the new MBTA.com that "Web 2.0" look and feel, so they went ahead and built a new trip planner that uses Google Maps to show routes and station/stop locations. It's a great idea, and I'm sure it looked great on paper, but as we all know their implementation leaves much to be desired. </p><p>Earlier today I was reading the official Google Blog and I almost jumped out of my seat. There was a post about the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festival (<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/music-movies-mayhem-and-metro.html" target="_blank">http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/03/music-movies-mayhem-and-metro.html</a>) wherein the author mentioned that they've added Austin, TX to the <strong>Google Transit Trip Planner. (!?!?!)</strong></p><strong></strong><p>Yes, that's right, Google built their own Public Transit trip planner. It's been around for a while, too -- here's the official launch announcement from December 2005 (<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/public-transit-via-google.html" target="_blank">http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/12/public-transit-via-google.html</a>). </p><p>Currently it only contains information for transit agencies in 10 cities, but if you read the FAQ (<a onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)" href="http://www.google.com/help/faq_transit.html" target="_blank">http://www.google.com/help/faq_transit.html</a>) they very clearly outline the process by which agencies can make their own data available to Google:<br />"4. My agency has public transportation data for my city; how can I get it included in the Google Transit Trip Planner?"If you're at a public agency that oversees public transportation for your city and would like your data to be included, please contact us at <a href="mailto:labs-transit_content@google.com">labs-transit_content@google.com</a>. </p><p><strong>The Google Transit Feed Specification</strong> <a href="http://code.google.com/transit/spec/transit_feed_specification.htm">http://code.google.com/transit/spec/transit_feed_specification.htm</a> describes how to provide transit data in a format that Google Transit Trip Planner can use."So while they were busy attempting to reinvent the wheel, the T could easily have just handed their data over to Google and let the search company do all the work for them. I'm willing to bet this wouldn't have cost them a penny, and when all was said and done they would've had a system that, in addition to properly calculating routes, would even compare the cost of the trip with the approximate cost of making the same trip in a car. Instead we have a poorly-coded, poorly-tested clunk-factory that hates Fridays and wants to route every Red Line rider through JFK. </p><p>Harumph<br /></p></blockquote><br />I have no doubt that the smart people in Mountain View, CA could have devised a first class trip planner.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-70914883625423384872007-03-08T16:48:00.000-05:002007-03-08T16:52:20.259-05:00TransitWorks needs E Line riders to helpfrom Mac Daniels blog at Boston.com<br /><br />http://www.boston.com/news/local/startsandstops/blog/2007/03/e_branch_travel.html<br /><br />E branch Travel Diaries<br />TransitWorks is recruiting volunteers who ride the Green Line's E branch and take notes. Volunteers will record the quality of trips on the E branch during the week of April 1 to 7.<br /><br />Kate Lowe at TransitWorks wrote that participants may even be able to win a real, live Breda car (smiley face thing inserted here). To participate, you must sign-up for a brief training session on Tuesday, March 27th at 3:30 OR 5:30 p.m. in the Longwood Medical Area.<br /><br />For more information or to sign-up, contact TransitWorks at 617-557-7349 or klowe@transitworks.org.<br /><br />You can also visit their website at<br />http://www.transitworks.org/<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-22328231014474601392007-03-08T14:18:00.000-05:002007-03-08T17:01:21.047-05:00Charlie's Mailbag - March 8thA warm welcome to <strong><a href="http://www.ctatattler.com/2007/03/view_of_the_cta.html">CTA Tattler</a></strong> readers who might be visiting after reading about us there. Our post on Chicago can be found here <a href="http://charlieonthembta.blogspot.com/2007/02/charlie-on-cta-chicago.html"> Charlie on the CTA </a><br /><br /><br />Checking the mailbag at <a href="mailto:charlieonthembta@gmail.com"><strong>charlieonthembta@gmail.com</strong></a><br /><br /><strong>Molly writes about the Orange Line<br /><br /></strong><strong></strong><blockquote>My name is Molly, and this is a copy of the e-mail I just sent "to the<br />top" of the Orange Line, as the customer comment page will not submit<br />(which may have more to do with this computer than the T).<br /><br />Good morning,<br /><br />The customer comment submission page is either not working or my<br />browser will not support the submission, so I am writing to you.<br /><br />This morning, my partner and I were at the Roxbury Crossing T stop to<br />head to work. The elevator was apparently having some work done, but<br />there was neither a sign on the elevator nor an update on the<br />accessibility hotline.<br /><br />My partner currently has a broken foot, and even without that, she has<br />mobility issues; she can walk, but stairs are difficult and dangerous<br />for her. When we asked the T employee on duty, we were told the<br />elevator wouldn't be working for an hour and were asked if we actually<br />needed it, which I believe is not something that is supposed to be<br />asked.<br /><br />Fortunately, the man who was working on the elevator got it to work<br />for us, but we missed two trains while we were waiting and we were<br />both late to work because of this. I would request that employees be<br />reminded that just because people are not in wheelchairs does not mean<br />that they can take stairs and that if an elevator or escalator is out<br />of service, for any reason, that it be clearly marked and that the<br />hotline be kept current.<br /><br />Thank you.</blockquote>It does seem that with the frigid weather both escalators and elevators are breaking down at an alarming rate. I still can't believe the T gave the new contract to repair them to the same Finnish company that failed to provide good service in the past.<br /><br />You might try contacting <strong><a href="http://www.kone.com/en/main/0,,content=49003,00.html">KONE direct at their US HQs in Illinois</a></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong>Kelly grumbles about the Framingham-Worcester line.....AGAIN!!!!</strong><br /><br /><br /><blockquote>I guess I shouldn't even bothering writing in about the 707am inbound Worcester train this morning that was 15 minutes late and had no heat and no lights? The conductor actually made an announcement as we proceeded into the tunnel at Back Bay to “grab your stuff now, because it’s about to be really dark in here!” Um, shouldn’t all train at least have emergency track lighting? And, did I mention it was 13 degrees out this morning?<br /><br />Thank you for letting me vent. I have also sent this in to the MBTA, but I don’t expect much. At least you are listening. </blockquote><br /><br />Kelly hopefully somebody at the T is reading this.<br /><br />MBCR and the T can blame CSX for the delays on the line but MBCR is responsible for the heat and lights. The service was never this bad when Amtrak ran the Commuter Rail but they no longer wanted to do business with the T.<br /><br /><strong>Susan froze waiting for an E train last night</strong><br /><br /><blockquote>Some trains on the E line were running "express" last night around 9pm,<br />driving past all the above ground stops near Longwood and the MFA. It<br />was in the single digits with below zero windchills, while people<br />waited for over 15, 20 minutes for a train..... The best part was<br />seeing the train skip my stop, leaving people out in the cold, and then<br />STOP AT THE NEXT STOPLIGHT LESS THAN 30 FEET AWAY.<br /><br />If the purpose of these express trains is to make up time when they are<br />running late, I fail to see how doing this on above ground stops helps.<br />There are still stop lights every block. If you're going to stop at<br />those, you might as well pick up some frostbitten passengers while<br />you're at it. Seeing an EMPTY train go by without stopping when you are<br />freezing to death outside should qualify as reckless endangerment on<br />the T's part. Of course the response is always "there's another train<br />right behind us", but "right behind us" means another 5 minutes in the<br />cold tacked onto the 15 you've already waited. This is more than just<br />an inconvenience when you are waiting outside. It is dangerous. In this<br />kind of frigid weather you can easily get frostbite in less than 30<br />minutes.<br /><br />Thanks for posting these stories on your blog. We can only hope that<br />the T reads them and actually cares.</blockquote>Yes Susan, we can only hope.....<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-66281970257554974602007-03-08T14:07:00.000-05:002007-03-08T14:17:10.126-05:00A lost trolley?????<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxA2TiIbeyoTolZHmPzFL7EaagSsKCtPfWqSs8G-_OqqJuZ-cUSvByKkU7GLBKf6VfNOf9YXldE6t6nTMDJIwMABN_ez9PK1ICVmoKDlLZjvKz3sgLFvXL3e5mFYOZiZKD7v72GwPg9YBg/s1600-h/mta.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039632790976039090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxA2TiIbeyoTolZHmPzFL7EaagSsKCtPfWqSs8G-_OqqJuZ-cUSvByKkU7GLBKf6VfNOf9YXldE6t6nTMDJIwMABN_ez9PK1ICVmoKDlLZjvKz3sgLFvXL3e5mFYOZiZKD7v72GwPg9YBg/s320/mta.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel0pSn2Gyfv06w_VOZIqbbsaw71KpTH-NPSEs-JN6vjuw9nzeN8Zgde9tuVgKAYqMMRgO6LGT0p797cCHBGdb1Ydj2W0UhUC7ezsc6KbJ5rCVH70uaqXS0i2z0QZUhqGOgKWbvRdcY7IB/s1600-h/MTA1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5039632898350221506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgel0pSn2Gyfv06w_VOZIqbbsaw71KpTH-NPSEs-JN6vjuw9nzeN8Zgde9tuVgKAYqMMRgO6LGT0p797cCHBGdb1Ydj2W0UhUC7ezsc6KbJ5rCVH70uaqXS0i2z0QZUhqGOgKWbvRdcY7IB/s320/MTA1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I just happened to run into this trolley this morning on Market Street in San Francisco. </div><div> </div><div>The City of San Francisco runs a vintage streetcar line down Market Street that then continues to Fisherman's Wharf and each car is painted with another city's transit colors. <strong><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/mim/streetcars/fleet/pcc/1059/index.html">Car 1059 is painted to look like a car from the mid 1940's</a></strong> when the Boston system was known as the Boston Elevated Railway.</div><div> </div><div>A dreamer like myself would love to see a vintage streetcar line connecting North and South Stations with stops along Atlantic Avenue but I doubt we will ever see anything like this in Boston.</div><div> </div><div>For more info on the San Francisco vintage streetcar line <strong><a href="http://www.streetcar.org/">CLICK HERE</a></strong></div><div> </div><div> </div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-40978043230638475562007-03-06T19:35:00.000-05:002007-03-06T19:42:38.781-05:00MBTA retiree accused of skimming $40,700<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXbwgqO5KfQIAOF164AxAVjeF2hLGeTWYpwz0LrojNNHA0bLBSYJhN7KB6KSOr-OvCCyZyAUEmjqbbeibcoMyONcWatieo6lTQH2iyglIIJB0m46V1pjCxtLygxs7ZUR-uUdSbi1KDClw/s1600-h/wellington.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038974991760750674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXbwgqO5KfQIAOF164AxAVjeF2hLGeTWYpwz0LrojNNHA0bLBSYJhN7KB6KSOr-OvCCyZyAUEmjqbbeibcoMyONcWatieo6lTQH2iyglIIJB0m46V1pjCxtLygxs7ZUR-uUdSbi1KDClw/s320/wellington.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><strong>MBTA video allegedly shows a retired employee who came regularly to turn in stolen coins and tokens for CharlieCards. (Jodi Hilton for the Boston Globe)</strong><br /><br />One of the reasons that the T decided to install the Charlie system was because under the old token method the system was being robbed blind over the past 25 years.<br /><br />Still this story amazes me that a retired T employee would risk his pension ( and possibly his freedom ) .<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/06/mbta_retiree_accused_of_skimming_40700/">MBTA retiree accused of skimming $40,700</a></strong><br /><strong></strong><br />I actually first saw the story last night on the 11 PM news in San Francisco (KPIX)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-24996495751829324402007-03-06T19:02:00.000-05:002007-03-06T19:31:15.664-05:00Charlie's Mailbag - March 6thGreetings from San Francisco where the <a href="http://pictures.sprintpcs.com/share.do?invite=tEAr4r7gkmPV37Nk08xQ&shareName=MMS&messageState=RETRIEVED"><strong>Commuter Rail info signs work</strong> </a>( and they are from the same company that made the T's )<br /><br />Catching up on reader email at <a href="mailto:charlieonthembta@gmail.com"><strong>charlieonthembta@gmail.com</strong></a><br /><br /><strong>Glenn from Cambridge is fed up with Davis Station<br /></strong><blockquote>Are we powerless to deal with the MBTA - a truly underperforming public transit system? Is it because, here in the "regulation and punishment" capital of America, things can't be made too convenient for the sinning public?<br /><br />I'm fed up with the MBTA and Davis Square especially. It's not only the average of 1-2 dysfunctional escalators on any given day at Davis; it's not even the function of problemmatic gates that don't always open - again, at Davis; it isn't even my anger that the $50 I put into a paper Charlie Card can't be converted to my plastic card except at one station - and how does one get a plastic card if you weren't lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time to obtain one; it isn't even that apparently smoking is allowed on the platforms in the morning as long as you're at the extreme end of the platform (at least at Davis and Downtown Crossing).<br /><br />It's the MBTA attitude - you have a problem and mention it to the maitre 'd at the station (formerly the toll booth monitor) and you get an explanation of "Here's why it's not my fault." or even better "Call your state legislator." Or, it's made clear that you should mind your own business while "I'll look into it" is the blah reply.<br /><br />Why in hell can't we have a decent subway system where the escalators work, the stations are well built and maintained and don't reek of some stench, and people actually look like they're working?<br /><br />By the way, my daily commute includes the Red Line to Downtown Crossing, Orange Line to State, and Blue Line from there. On average, during any given day, there's an average of two broken escalators. Who the hell maintains these things? Who makes sure they deliver? And what's with the Orange Line timetables. Are trains on this line much fewer than on other lines for a particular reason: like why should the MBTA care about Roxbury? Could it be more obvious?<br /><br />My work takes me to Washington where the stations are clean and the trains are well maintained (and, so, the riders respect them). We can go right to the National Airport terminal quickly instead of lengthy subway rides to Logan. Trains run on time and predictably, including electronic notices of how far away the train is. Staff are courteous.<br /><br />If only the Romney people had gone after the MBTA employee unions the way they persecuted teachers, and held the MBTA to 14 layers of regulation and oversight like they do with schools, we might have seen improvements.<br /><br />And, finally, can't someone a) fix the train and station sound systems so people can hear what's being currently mumbled to them, and b) give some public speaking lessons to whomever broadcasts the stuff so they're polite, clear, and helpful?<br /><br />And it's $1.70 to $2.00 for a ride depending on whether you're lucky enough to have a card? Enjoy Canada. </blockquote>Actually it is California where I am and I won't tell you how warm it is in San Francisco today <g>. The escalators systemwide are a mess and have been for a few years and yet the T gave the new contract to the same Illinois company that couldn't do it right in the first place. Real time train announcements is an issue I have harped on and the T has refused to answer any requests I have made for updates.<br /><br />I'll have a report on San Francisco transit in a couple of days.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Daniel like many was very cold waiting on the D Line Tuesday morning</strong><br /><br /><blockquote>Making passengers wait 30-plus minutes in single-digit weather, only to then subject many of them to trains too full to board, is absolutely inexcusable, yet that was my experience this morning on the D line inbound at Beaconsfield. When I arrived at the platform at approximately 8:20, there were 30 or so people waiting, which I took to be a good sign. It meant that I didn't just miss the train.<br /><br />By 8:35 the platform had probably accumulated 75 very cold people, and by 8:45 the number was easily over 100, not counting the many who gave up and walked to the C-line.<br /><br />We watched three outbound trains come and go before an inbound train arrived at around 8:55, already very full. I was one of the fortunate ones, able to board the second car. As we pulled out of the station there were still a couple dozen people who were not as lucky, and I can only hope that another train was close behind.<br /><br />At each subsequent station, the story was the same. The train arrived and sometimes fewer than half the wating passengers were able to squeeze on.<br /><br />I have no doubt that the same cold that made waiting unbearable was also responsible for the delay. But leaving people waiting in dangerously cold weather with no word on the status of the delay is irresponsible. It would have been more than simple for one of the outbound conductors to yell to the platform that inbound service had been delayed, and then we could have all walked to the C line or made other arrangements.<br /><br />Doing nothing should not have been an option. </blockquote>I also had reports that riders were waiting 20 minutes at Newton Center.<br /><br /><strong>Brad comments on <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/04/kenmore_t_work_now_in_extra_innings/">Sunday's Globe column by Mac Daniel</a></strong><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/04/kenmore_t_work_now_in_extra_innings/"> </a><br /><br /><blockquote>Charlie,<br /><br />Mac Daniel caves into the T again with his report on Kenmore being 10 months behind. This is unbelievable! Of course, he allows Joe Pesaturo to place blame on the city for permit problems. Why did it take 10 months to figure out that this project is clearly behind? I guarantee it won't be done on time for the new completion date. It was also mentioned in the article that the contractor would recieve more $$$ to get the project done. Not shocking at all that another project goes overbudget and more friends of the T (contractors) get more money.<br /><br />-Brad<br />Watertown</blockquote>Kenmore is going to be a mess on Red Sox Opening Day and it will only get worse when the D Line has the shutdown later in the summer. I would love to know why the City of Boston and the T seem to have problems with subway projects as permit problems have also delayed construction at State Street on the Blue Line.<br /><br /><strong>Frank has a question about his Senior smartcard</strong><br /><blockquote>My wife and I have updated our senior passes. On an on-going basis how can we determine how much money is left on each card?<br /><br />Frank </blockquote>Frank you can always check the remaining value at any fare vending machine and the amount remaining on the card will display on the upper right hand corner of the screen after you tap your card. To check on a monthly pass simply hit the card information button from the menu.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-70859194560497045802007-03-03T12:28:00.000-05:002007-03-03T12:36:53.484-05:00FYI: blog will next update on TuesdayCharlie continues his vacation and will be without a computer the next 48 hours or so as I will be on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Amtrak's</span> <a href="http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Route/Horizontal_Route_Page&cid=1081256321209&c=am2Route&ssid=137"><strong>California Zephyr</strong></a><strong>.</strong> I have always wanted to see the Rockies by train and I have the time to do so. I am supposed to arrive in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Emeryville</span>, CA on Monday evening around 6 PM but I have been told this train has not been on time once in the last year.<br /><br />Please continue to send your commuter reports to <a href="mailto:charlieonthembta@gmail.com"><strong>charlieonthembta@gmail.com</strong></a>. If anything major develops I will try to have someone update the blog. I will have email access on the trip via my cell phone ( I hope )<br /><br />Have a good weekend.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5144969248522728873.post-32490227810946413762007-03-03T12:09:00.000-05:002007-03-03T12:27:25.112-05:00T Tales: The T's trip planner strikes again<strong>Jared</strong> writes us at <a href="mailto:charlieonthembta@gmail.com"><strong>charlieonthembta@gmail.com</strong></a>. <strong>All he wanted to do was go from Brookline to South Station.</strong> <blockquote>As if you don't already get this enough, you've got a great blog going. I'm originally from the San Francisco Bay Area so witnessing all the ridiculousness that goes on with the MBTA has been pretty eye-opening.<br /><br />At any rate, I have a story to share. A friend of mine was arriving in Boston at the Greyhound station in Chinatown and I was supposed to go pick her up. No problem, I thought. I punched in my station (Brookline Village) and the address of the bus station (700 Atlantic Ave) and let the trip planner do its thing. Since the trip planner defaults to "Minimize transfers," this is what it gave me:<br /><br />Itinerary 1 - Approx. 31 mins.<br /><br />* Take Green- D Line - Government Ctr To Boylston Station<br />Approx. 1:41 PM Depart from Brookline Village Station - Inbound<br />Approx. 1:56 PM Arrive at Boylston Station - Inbound<br />*Walk For 16 Mins. To 700 Atlantic Ave, Boston, Ma<br /><br />Alright, fair enough. That seems pretty simple. Except I didn't like the "Walk For 16 Mins." thing. That seemed like kind of a drag, especially since I'm not from Boston and have no idea how to get around. So I tried it again, this time selected "Minimize walking," and hit submit. Well, I got some fairly different results the second time.<br /><br />Itinerary 1 - Approx. 52 mins.<br /><br />* Take Green- D Line - Government Ctr To Park St Station<br />Approx. 1:41 PM Depart from Brookline Village Station - Inbound<br />Approx. 1:57 PM Arrive at Park St Station - Green Line Eastbound<br />* Take Red Line - Braintree Sta To Jfk/umass Braintree - Outbound<br />Approx. 2:06 PM Depart from Park St Station - to Ashmont/Braintree<br />Approx. 2:16 PM Arrive at JFK/UMASS Braintree - Outbound<br />* Take Red Line - Alewife Sta To South Station<br />Approx. 2:23 PM Depart from JFK/UMASS Braintree - Inbound<br />Approx. 2:30 PM Arrive at South Station - Inbound<br />* Walk For 3 Mins. To 700 Atlantic Ave, Boston, Ma<br /><br />This struck me as a little bit odd - why would I have to take the Red Line to JFK/UMass only to turn around and get on a train going the other way to get off at South Station? Well, I wasn't familiar with the Red Line; in fact, the only time I've ever taken the Red Line was later that night on my way back home again. At that point, I assumed you couldn't get off going outbound at South Station. So, I went with what I thought would be simpler - taking the Green Line to Boylston and walking. Well, it wasn't.<br /><br />See, the Trip Planner doesn't give you walking directions unless you select "Print Itinerary," which I didn't know. And guess what? Instead of walking east on Boylston and then Essex, I walked north on Tremont, thinking I was actually walking EAST on Tremont. I got hopelessly lost, and after I finally found Atlantic Avenue (at the corner of Atlantic and Richmond), I managed to lose it again about five minutes later without realizing I'd changed streets.<br /><br />There's a point to this rambling story, and the point is that the trip planner is total garbage. I'm not mad for the planner telling me to get off at Boylston and walk; that met the parameters I set, and it's my own fault for not walking the right direction to begin with. I'm pissed because, when I tried to make it so that I didn't have to walk, it made me go all the way to JFK/UMass and then get off and back on going the other way. Now that I actually know how the Red Line works (yes, you CAN stop at South Station in both directions), I have to ask: why even bother? If you can't do it right, maybe you shouldn't do it at all. That sentiment seems to be echoed throughout your blog.<br /><br />Jared<br /><br />PS - I got an itinerary from Park St to South Station on the Red Line. I wonder why it works when you don't change trains?<br /><br />Take Red Line - Ashmont Sta To South Station<br />Approx. 1:45 PM Depart from Park St Station - to Ashmont/Braintree<br />Approx. 1:49 PM Arrive at South Station - Outbound </blockquote>Welcome to Boston Jared. I actually will be in the Bay Area as of Monday evening.<br /><br />The trip planner has way too many quirks about it to be considered reliable.<br /><br />I just tried it and used the landmarks option and it did have an option for the Greyhound Station but guess what????? Here is what it just spit out <blockquote><p>Take Green- D Line - Government Ctr To Boylston Station <a class="noprint" href="http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/subway/lines/?pt=1&route=GREEN">view route</a><br />Approx. 12:21 PM Depart from <a onclick="plantripStopInfo(0);return false;" href="javascript:void(0);">Brookline Village Station - Inbound</a> Approx. 12:36 PM Arrive at <a onclick="plantripStopInfo(1);return false;" href="javascript:void(0);">Boylston Station - Inbound</a><br /><a class="routeSign" onclick="showLegDetailsTripPlanner('legDetails1F');return false;" href="javascript:void(0);">Walk For 15 Mins. To Bus - Greyhound Terminal (boston)</a></p><p>Walk approx. 1 block E on Boylston St.Bear right on Boyleston Sq.Walk a short distance SE on Boyleston Sq.Turn right on Washington St.Walk a short distance S on Washington St.Turn left on Beach St.Walk approx. 3 blocks E on Beach St.</p></blockquote>Again this used the default option of "minimize transfers" and "use all services". I pity the poor tourist with bags wandering around Chinatown looking for the bus station.<br /><br />It really is time to take this planner off-line and go back to the old one until they can work these bugs out. It has been almost <strong>THREE</strong> months now.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><script type="text/javascript"><!--
google_ad_client = "pub-9725341929745473";
google_ad_width = 728;
google_ad_height = 90;
google_ad_format = "728x90_as";
google_ad_type = "text_image";
google_ad_channel = "";
//--></script>
<script type="text/javascript"
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
</script></div>Fenwayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05189319014559150813noreply@blogger.com6