Our web conversation went on longer than the one hour Radio Boston is on the air. Supporters of the T said, hey, it’s better than NOT having it.
But, frustations were best summed up with guest42290137’s smirk:
“this forum explains the MBTA in a nutshell: NO ONE IS LISTENING.”
Click on this post to read the entire transcript…
Claudine
How is your commute ? Do you take public transporation ? Do you have a question for MBTA General Manager Dan Grabauskas ?
11:12 guest422901
why aren't there more benches at stations where people are WAITING for trains? surely, loitering can be solved by other means if that is the issue.
11:18 guest36315
Funny you have a guest from Northeastern. My girlfriend is an associate prof. at Northeastern and it takes her an hour to an hour and a half to get there from Cambridge every day. She recently bought a scooter to never have to deal with the MBTA again.
11:19 guest146486
The MBTA/Commuter Rail expects its first delivery of newly purchased coaches by 2010. What is the MBTA's plan to make up the shortfall of locomotives and coaches that will no doubt plague (and in some cases already is) the commuter rail?
11:19 reverebeach
i want to know why there is no connection between north and south station?
11:21 guest36315
Anyone who would say service is good either doesn't depend on the MBTA daily, or has extremely low expectations. My daily commute from Porter to Kendall Square took, on average, a half hour. I can walk it in forty minutes. It's pathetic.
11:22 MFD riders
The T is great. I cant wait till the Green line comes to MFD hillside. my wife & I currently drive to work and sometimes walk 25 mins to get to Davis Sq T so the sooner the better.
11:24 guest36315
wait till you start commuting on that green line, MFD rider….then see how great you think it is.
11:25 guest4229013
Is there even a schedule for the trains? If there is, why isn't it posted at the stations? I guess it would just make people realize how late the trains often are.
11:28 guest274229
. I decided to take the bus a year and a half ago. I take the E line. I often wait at goverment center a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes for the e line. I sit there and see the number or times other lines like the Boston College line.
11:28 MFD riders
hey, beats driving. lived in Somerville for years & think red line is great.
11:29 jennmjones
Though I think this is a good time to re-examine service schedules and ridership demand
11:29 guest1896
Why did the MBTA purchase new Electric Busses for Cambridge that are so loud? Electric busses are supposed to be environment friendly. What was the logic behind this decision?
11:29 jennmjones
First I suggest that the T should consider more direct bus routes
11:30 Emma from Waltham, MA
To guest36315: I have been commuting on the green line for almost 20 years and the few problems I've experienced are usually caused by other passengers, not the MBTA. You are not going to convince me the “T” is not worth the fare.
11:31 jennmjones
its takes 30 min to reach Copley Sq from City Point, a 2 mile drive
11:31 jennmjones
that's unnecessary
11:31 guest742851
It would be great to have live route map displays in each subway station — showing exactly where cars are on the line at all times. Not knowing when the next train is coming is one of the most annoying things about riding the subway.
11:32 jennmjones
Second,the T should use its new travel planning technology that is available on the T website and make it available remotely
11:33 jennmjones
I would love a phone number where one could call in and the T could use speach to text technology to search the route (software and tech that's already available on mbta.com)
11:33 jennmjones
so when one is out and about in town, one can find the best and most effective way home, without researching train and bus schedules before leaving ones home
11:33 guest7157221
Regarding the discussion about 24 hr service - I can understand that you need to some down time for repairs but shouldn't the T at least stay open until the bars close? It's like you want people to drive drunk.
11:34 jennmjones
I honestly don't think there's the demand for 24 hour service
11:34 jennmjones
or extended service
11:34 Emma from Waltham, MA
7157221:: How about just not getting drunk?
11:35 jennmjones
but i think its an analysis that the mbta should do, to determine that demand,
11:35 jennmjones
of hours
11:35 jennmjones
and make that public
11:35 jennmjones
for all i know its a demand analysis that's already been done
11:35 guest42290137
24 hour service would be nice but, the service in place needs to be improved first.
11:36 reverebeach
i use to ride the night bus the 57 line was always packed in Allston, but by brighton, and oak square it was empty.
11:37 guest36315
I agree with Emma on 24 hour service. I'd much rather see the time and money spend on improved daytime service…
11:37 michael from boston5
Does the METRO paper pay a fee to help the clean up of all the tra***** generates on the T? I hear it is being sold or going out of business–thank god!
11:39 reverebeach
people need to be better about picking up after themselves
11:39 guest36315
sorry, I meant I agree with jenna. I'd only being lying to myself I said I agreed with emma…about not getting drunk, anyway.
11:40 Emma from Waltham, MA
Funny Revere!
11:40 guest42290137
what schedule?!?!?!
11:40 Emma from Waltham, MA
Actually I meant, Funny 36315.
11:41 guest3654019
hmmmmmmmm
11:41 reverebeach
more of a guide than a schedule really
11:41 michael from boston5
People don't pick up after themselves–but the source can be taxed to help defray what taxpayers must endure when we cannot go after individuals to improve their vision of their environment. Since the Democratic Convention trash containers disappeared.
11:42 DMK-Roslindale
Si is anyone on the radio actually answering things here?
11:43 reverebeach
i do not think they are, and the lines are busy, every time I call
11:43 RozzieRider
Doesn't seem to be
11:43 Emma from Waltham, MA
I agree with Reverebeach. What happened to a little personal accountability? Why should the “T” have to use resources to clean up the passenger's garbage? Take it with you and dispose of your garbage properly.
11:43 DMK-Roslindale
same here…sort of useless having chat live then..
11:43 michael from boston5
apparently not–just our opinions back and forth.
11:44 DMK-Roslindale
SEPTA announced today a 4 month delay in deliveries from ROTAM. I want to know if that will cause a 4-months delay in the MBTA purchase of bilevel coaches. The situation as presented in the press suggests that will be th ecase if you connect the dots.
11:44 DMK-Roslindale
sb ROTEM'
11:45 michael from boston5
Personal acoountability is learned. I notice there is no education on garbage and its effects on our vision of the city. Watch the kids on the T, the next generation of polluters at work.
11:45 Eda
I missed it earlier but have they said anything about the frequent delays on the orange line caused by “signal problems” in wellington?
11:46 guest42290137
this forum explains the MBTA in a nutshell: NO ONE IS LISTENING
11:46 raker
On the Franklin commuter line, the train is NEVER on schedule. The train coasts instead of accelerating, to save fuel. There are so few cars at rush hour they're packed full. Heaps of indignities,for which we pay $200 a month.
11:46 reverebeach
and saying something to a polluters and their parents - oh boy problems
11:48 michael from boston5
The parents are dumping their METRO on the train and the kids pay attention.
11:48 Peter
I stopped taking the com rail because of the price
11:48 Joanie_in_MiddleMass6 11:48 Peter 11:48 Peter 11:48 Emma from Waltham, MA 11:49 DMK-Roslindale 11:49 RobertC 11:49 reverebeach 11:50 Joanie_in_MiddleMass6 11:50 michael from boston5 11:50 Emma from Waltham, MA 11:50 christian scott 11:50 Peter 11:51 Joanie_in_MiddleMass6 11:51 Peter 11:51 DMK-Roslindale 11:52 reverebeach 11:52 Joanie_in_MiddleMass6 11:52 Emma from Waltham, MA 11:52 jennmjones 11:52 Eda 11:52 guest422901374 11:52 Peter 11:52 reverebeach 11:52 Peter 11:53 Joanie_in_MiddleMass6 11:53 jennmjones 11:53 jennmjones 11:53 christian scott 11:53 Peter 11:53 jennmjones 11:53 jennmjones 11:53 reverebeach 11:53 Joanie_in_MiddleMass6 11:53 jennmjones 11:53 mdr 11:54 jennmjones 11:54 Peter 11:54 mdr 11:55 Joanie_in_MiddleMass6 11:55 mdr 11:55 guesty4 11:56 Peter 11:56 DMK-Roslindale 11:56 reverebeach 11:57 guesty4 11:57 Emma from Waltham, MA 11:57 DMK-Roslindale 11:57 Peter 11:57 Peter 11:57 Peter 11:58 guest422901374 11:58 guest113393 11:58 DMK-Roslindale 11:58 reverebeach 11:58 guest1896 11:58 guesty4 11:59 reverebeach 11:59 DMK-Roslindale 11:59 Peter 11:59 guest422901374 11:59 Adrienne D9 11:59 Peter 11:59 Peter 12:00 Peter 12:00 reverebeach 12:01 christian scott 12:01 guesty4 12:01 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:02 guesty4 12:02 Eda 12:02 Peter 12:03 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:03 guest1896 12:03 christian scott 12:03 christian scott 12:03 Eric from Somerville 12:04 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:04 guest422901374 12:04 christian scott 12:05 guesty4 12:06 jennmjones 12:06 jennmjones 12:07 jennmjones 12:07 jennmjones 12:08 jennmjones 12:08 Eric from Somerville 12:08 guest422901374 12:09 jennmjones 12:09 Adrienne D9 12:09 jennmjones 12:09 christian scott 12:09 Eric from Somerville 12:10 jennmjones 12:10 guest422901374 12:11 Eric from Somerville 12:11 Eric from Somerville 12:11 Adrienne D9 12:12 jennmjones 12:12 jennmjones 12:12 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:12 Peter 12:13 guest422901374 12:16 reverebeach 12:17 Peter 12:17 Peter 12:18 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:19 Peter 12:19 Adrienne D9 12:20 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:20 Peter 12:21 Peter 12:21 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:21 Peter 12:22 Peter 12:22 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:23 Peter 12:23 Peter 12:24 Peter 12:24 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:24 Peter 12:25 Peter 12:26 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:27 Peter 12:27 Peter 12:27 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:28 Peter 12:28 JasonInSomerville 12:29 Peter 12:31 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:32 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:37 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:39 JasonInSomerville 12:39 JasonInSomerville 12:40 JasonInSomerville 12:40 JasonInSomerville 12:40 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:42 JasonInSomerville 12:43 JasonInSomerville 12:47 guest557915 12:49 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:52 guest557915 12:54 Emma from Waltham, MA 12:56 guest557915 13:00 guest557915 13:01 Emma from Waltham, MA 13:02 guest557915 13:04 Emma from Waltham, MA 13:05 guest557915 13:06 Emma from Waltham, MA 13:29 JasonInSomerville 13:29 JasonInSomerville 13:30 JasonInSomerville 14:38 JH from Dorchester 14:38 JH from Dorchester 19:43 19:46 meghna1571 has left 19:59
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hence taking the 62 bus, even though I have to drive about 5 miles
it's a save of nearly $150
There you have the crux of the matter, Michael. Education begins at home and it is not happening.
They're taking e-mail? Answering those on the air - address?
The cost of driving is obviously too cheap. Charge a premium to enter the downtown zone and make the T free within a limited area.
——————–
well, better to make the trains cheaper
It's a community effort. The community educates itself. I notice after many years here, how poorly Boston does this when it concerns garbage on the streets and in our viewscape.
The cost of driving isn't cheap when you figure in the pollution it causes.
Whats going on with the Orange line? Everytime I ride the seats are shredded and its filled with garbage. Its not a comfortable place to be, the lack of maintence makes it feel unsafe.
Emma, thats very true…
Joyhn Olver was talking about a year ago about making the fitchburg line, at least, higher speed
At the price of Gas, the T should look into waste bio fuels
I'm in waiting…
i have yet to see those new blue line cars
but *I* think a higher priority would to have wi-fi throughout. People I know in the west coast take that for granted
I agree Peter but with the debt they are carrying (the “T”) I wonder what the retrofit would cost.
There isn't a manufacturer that makes engines for biofuel for train engines
how can they add more service? the orange line is packed to the gills at rush already?
well, the hour is almost up……….and i've learned nothing. thanks mr. GrabBucksFromUS
I think wifi access would be pointlesa
wi-fi, you must be kidding me.
*pointless
on commuter rail?
i think it would encourage ridership
its a fabulous idea
wi-fi = more people getting their smartphones and laptops stolen 
I understand my problem here, it takes me nearly 2 hours for my commute
think of the average ridership on the commuter rail
its working professionals
that is already happening on the red line, people getting their phone snatched out of their hands
it think it is just getting up to speed with the rest of the world
who have limited time
hey, bob, ask dan g about the circle line to connect the outer branches of the green line and the south end!
you mean the north south link?
I would argue, think of the people that depend on the T
no, there was a proposal to make a circular line that would connect the branches of Green and down to south station or so
I am talking about the fitchburg line which is well over an hour ride
to avoid the necessity of traveling all the way into downtown to switch back out to lower orange line or red
What did MBCR do to provoke the commuter rail job action last year?
These are the people who depend on the T
No time - they won't get to my call
i wonder if they made sure the bus with the reporter on it made the trip with no problems.
Buses are grueling in Boston. The bus routes and names are not clear
How exactly would the MBTA control traffic like that, Revere?
I also told them it was bad form to not have a mbta person answering stuff here so someone at the radio station knows that.
revere- bus 1 is usually on time around 1:00pm
take the bus on Saturday,
sometimes they're 40 minutes late
this program should run weekly. maybe then improvements would be made.
I am concerned in this age of terrorism why we are pulled off trains and crowded onto platforms where no one can move. Isn't there a better way to handle this?????
Take the 32 into Forest Hills afternoons after 1 pm. If you are along the last statute mile of the line its a crap shoot that you will get on. I've complained at least 6 times in 6 months
by running extra buses before it, by having people at busy intersections
very disappointing show - did not discuss the real problems.
Dan sounded like he was entirely blaming the workers for the commuter rail slow downs last yr. What did MBCR do to provoke the job action—there are usually 2 sides to these disputes
holding back other busses
MBCR is mostly former Amtrak people. RR jobs are federally protected.
One innovation that I would argue, round trip commuter passes with subway access
what a waste of time.
I agree Dan on the radio every week. I haven't heard a single honest comment yet. It's all roses and sunshine. You've got to be kidding me. It's all spin.
rather suggest
Pay a round trip ticket, use the subway, go home
with an all inclusive fee
they only get an hour each week, the rest of the station is all outside
one gets the feeling that dan is a powerless glad-handler
Forget the pagers and the wifi and start by making the trains reliable.
I wish Bob would do the show every week. David always cuts people off.
I want to be fair to Dan–there are too many T problems to address in detail in a one hour show
many of the cellular vendors have started putting “cells” in the downtown tunnels. do you think it is successful? will expand?
guesty- I agree
Me, too
i disagree - David “calls” people on their stuff - the T guy would have had to answer the real questions, which he did not.
he's just as hollow in “starts and stops” in the globe
where he has one paragraph to respond to
Here's what I want to know: How did we manage to spend $9 billion digging a giant tunnel directly from South Station to North Station and not put a train in it?
Great question Eric.
the MBTA just hasn't shown enough initiative to hear out the riders. this program should be the first of many attempts to reach out and listen to the riders.
commuter rail to the casinos!
guest1896: I dont think David could have pinned him down any better–there are just too many aspects from financing to bus problems to commuter rail to address much in one hour — plus doing the reporting from the train.
but to create a north south link, we'd need atleast four train tracks
i don't think the size of the big dig could handle that as well
as an engineer, i know that there had not ever been a civil works road construction project that exceeded the desigh/resources as the big dig
and to assume that it could easily support the addition of four train tracks as well is obsurd
i think we need to aknowledge that the problems of the T are complex
jennmjones: it would certainly have been monumentally expensive, but not nearly as expensive as it will be to do it separately from the big dig if we ever want to try it later on down the road.
jennmjones, you should take a trip to Berlin. after the reunification, Berlin had a project similar to the big dig that was 80% public transportation infrastructure. it made the big dig look like a pothole being fixed.
i completely disagree with you
I think we need to acknolwedge that due to the complexities of the problems involved, the T needs more competent and effective management.
yes, and i agree it has problems
what would Sir Topham Hatt do?
jennmjones: how so?
but lets give the T constructive critism. as residents we need to communicate what we need
we've tried that. there not listening.
jennmjones: That's fair. I think one of the most frustrating things about the T is how where they spend their money rarely seems to coincide with what riders are looking for
Also, related: Dan G doesn't take the train to work!
Ok. Need trains and buses that actually show up and get to station when they're suppose to. Staff which are actually helpful and not in need of psychiatric intervention, oh and competen responsible management.
i think they have the technology now, to see how people move, wiht the new charlie card system it would be easy to analyze the data for the current ridership patterns and demand
i'm not sure that's ever really been done
Yikes Adrienne! Psychiatric intervention?
Yeah Eric, it's true, but which riders are most important? The areas that seem to be neglected are low income urban areas.
'there is another train directly behind this one' hah!
depends on how you define directly
I've seen that for busses as well
typically the number 1 bus, sometimes three in a row
Or the 57…
It happens often.
What the MBTA problems run deep and are brad in scope and is in desperate need of a complete shakeup. Political or nepotisic cronies need to get the axe and more competent, smarter managementand staff need to be installed imediatmente compadres.
Maybe I've just learned to make allowances for delays over the years. I still would rather have this MBTA than no MBTA at all.
Seriously Emma-
very true, I would pay nearly $100 a week to drive and park (in Alewife Station)
Yes? I'm a glass half full sort of person.
I just pay $15 a week for the bus/subway pass and drive half way
Without the MBTA, I'd be broke
Without the MBTA our air would look like L.A.
well thats true but L.A.'s smog is also associated with the climate
sometimes I think that without New England weather our air would look like LA
hmmm… New England weather.. sounds like a good topic for a new show
We've had a few air caution days even this winter. Can you imagine everyone in cars?
I think at the rate we're going, everyone is in cars
it's sort of a cultural problem
Now that is a good topic for Radio Boston…Boston drivers. Arrggh.
my commute to school from North Billerica by car via 93 is nearly 1 1/2 hours
sometimes more, sometimes less
I pity you. Maybe you should move?
Well I am trying my best to save money by taking the bus from Bedford
has anyone see this petition/strike?: https://www.thepoint.com/campaigns/fix-the-mbta
I can drive 10 miles to the bus and get to school using the $15 weekly pass
Well, that's a good deal. If you get a seat you can get things done on the bus whereas you can't when driving. (Although I wonder when I see some people drive.)
Thanks for pointing out the petition, Jason. Interesting.
Jason, you need to publicize this more. You don't have many adherants.
I wasn't sure I liked the wording
It was more of a response to a college's complaint
do you think it's good enough? or should I re-word and try again later
and are the numbers reasonable?
I don't think there is anything wrong with the wording. You just need to change the second fairs to fares.
Yea, the problem is I have to contat the webmaster to change anything. I wish I hadn't rused the write up, but I did it during a finals week.
It seems like the T riders union isn't really dealing with late trains (which is actually somthing that can be controlled)
i'd like to see the T run later, like till 3am
I think they are flailing under all that debt and really don't know where to start improvements.
probably. but improved service/reliability should equal increased ridership and increased income, making that a good place to start.
I would agree except that the fare you pay doesn't come close to covering the cost of the transportation. The subsidies would need increasing, too.
raise the gas tax. the prices here are artificially low. and it would more people consider using public transportation.
did i try and ban someone? sorry if i did, my cat just climbed over my keyboard
Good in theory but tax increases in this state never go to what they have been earmarked for. They inevitably end up getting funneled off elsewhere.
which is why the people need to get more involved in government, starting at the local level.
Hear, hear.
okay, so we've solved the problem. 
At least we know what needs to be done!
over thow the goverment?
that may fly in NH, but not here
So why is it that the trains only run till 1:30?
gas tax is a good start, as is relieving the t of the debt that it probably shouldnt have been saddled with in the first place
the big dig environmental mitigation project costs (2.9 billion)
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Unfortunately (except for Grabauskas and other MBTA apologists) BadTransit did not hear of this programme until it had already aired. Why were voices who have a clear view of history and opinions that may not be supportive of the T as we know it not invited?
Does Radio Boston have a good pulse on the issues and the players or did they, in this case, do their research via Joe Pesaturo?
There are several (even better) organizations and spokespeople who would have added some spice to the conversation. Not heard.
Although Radio Boston at least offered some questions to Grabauskas that were challenging, they did not offer the historical perspective, nor some ideas that are being proffered lately: rather than give the T more money, re-organize it entirely.
Throw the baby out with the bathwater. It is no longer recoverable.
I suspect the gas tax will go up in MA, but to pay for items other than the T.
My question . . . Is there a plan to upgrade signaling on the Green line to reduce bunching and gaps between trains. I’ve given up trying to use it because of how unreliable it is.