General MBTA Topics (Multi Modal, Budget, MassDOT)

Does anyone know what the T might be up to in Boylston Station? (Green Line)

There are surveyor marks posted on every third column in the stations. This kind of survey work usually precedes actual construction planning of some sort.
 
JeffDowntown said:
Does anyone know what the T might be up to in Boylston Station? (Green Line)

There are surveyor marks posted on every third column in the stations. This kind of survey work usually precedes actual construction planning of some sort.
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My best guess is that it is part of the Green Line Transformation.

A bid for this segment of work was out last winter. I'm not sure whatever came of it, but per a May FMCB meeting, there should be track, power, and signal work upcoming on this segment.

I'm not 100% sure it's related, but that's my best guess.
 
ulrichomega said:
It is decreasing service levels to some key parts of the Franklin Line and resulting in a whole lot of delays (I can't be sure the delays are caused by the pilot, but the line's been running okay for a while before this and then suddenly I'm fifteen minutes late to work every day). I think the pilot is still worth it, especially if it results in double-tracking enough of the line to maintain good service levels, but it's definitely having teething problems.
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It's a pilot, meaning they will have some kinks to work out. I also wouldn't consider day one ridership to indicate whatever becomes the ultimate long term trend. As for reducing service, is that true? My understanding was that this was basically an extension of the Fairmont line, meaning an increase to number of trains from Readville through Norwood, and no reduction in service further outbound. But I haven't seen the final schedule, so maybe that is no longer the case.
 
Lessons from Septa.

A big spending increase for SEPTA’s smart fare system, approved Thursday, swells the Key card’s primary contract to $192.5 million — about $70 million more than planned when the project began eight years ago.

SEPTA officials said most of that increase would go toward basic annual maintenance and services to keep the system running, but it also included some unexpected costs. Chief among them was $4.4 million to replace the agency’s 4,226 card readers, the devices that process transactions on buses and trolleys, and in transit stations. The six-year-old readers are already obsolete, unable to meet the banking industry’s changing security standards.
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www.inquirer.com

The cost of SEPTA’s Key card system just swelled to nearly $200 million — way more than planned

Chief among the costs was $4.4 million to replace all of the agency’s 4,226 card readers, purchased six years ago.
www.inquirer.com www.inquirer.com
 
TallIsGood said:
Unlimited parking and the hope they visit retail establishments. Retail landlords make more money with increased sales.
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In that case then the Krafts should be partnering with the T to put up a ton of advertising on the approaches to Gillette in all directions.
 
Also plans to develop a good portion of the lots across from the strip mall section into a giant office park.
 
Looking at the shuttle route I can already tell the core RL shutdown next month will be chaos for confused riders... Especially if you're looking for an OL connection.

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RedLine_North-SouthBound_v2_map.png
 
HelloBostonHi said:
Looking at the shuttle route I can already tell the core RL shutdown next month will be chaos for confused riders... Especially if you're looking for an OL connection.
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So the shuttles are going to run right past Chinatown Station and Station Street Station and not stop just because they aren't redline stops? And its going to stop at Federal and Franklin and call that a stop at Downtown Crossing? This is just lazy planning.
 
C-Town_Jeff said:
So the shuttles are going to run right past Chinatown Station and Station Street Station and not stop just because they aren't redline stops? And its going to stop at Federal and Franklin and call that a stop at Downtown Crossing? This is just lazy planning.
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And weirdly make a stop at government center, but only in one direction... The planning here is obscure... I'm sure they're trying to optimize for least number of stops and Max throughput of people through but I think they've forgotten how many people transfer RL/OL based on there being literally no direct connection in their plans.
 
HelloBostonHi said:
And weirdly make a stop at government center, but only in one direction... The planning here is obscure... I'm sure they're trying to optimize for least number of stops and Max throughput of people through but I think they've forgotten how many people transfer RL/OL based on there being literally no direct connection in their plans.
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The Franklin St. stop seems particularly bizarre. That would make much more sense closer to State, with the shuttles traveling on Atlantic and Pearl (2 turns) instead of the zigzag (4 turn) route.
 
Does anyone remember this headhouse? I believe that it was at Chinatown (then Essex) and built around 1972, but I'm not sure which corner.
essex.JPG
 
It took me a moment to recognize that as Park Street. Amazing what proper lighting does.
 
Equilibria said:
Every time my train has entered Park Street for the last two weeks I've felt a big change. I know what they've done, but it's not obvious. It just feels better.
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Equilibria -- I think the T has hit "Rock Bottom" and is beginning the long climb out

We have been bloodied if not defeated by the Blizzards, By the Derailments, By the Crash into the "Huts" and by numerous fires, smoke, dead-trains, etc.

Now -- we are starting to see progress -- new equipment, new & rebuilt stations

As Winston Churchill said after the victory over Rommel @ El Alamein in 1942 [after 3 years of war against the Nazis] -- to the effect of -- "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning" *1

*1 "The End of the Beginning" speech sourced from the Churchill Society
The Lord Mayor's Luncheon, Mansion House
November 10, 1942

After a series of defeats from Dunkirk to Singapore, Churchill could finally tell the House of Commons that "we have a new experience. We have victory - a remarkable and definite victory.

"Alexander and Montgomery turned back Rommel's forces at El Alamein, thus winning what Churchill called "The Battle of Egypt." I have never promised anything but blood, tears, toil, and sweat. Now, however,The bright gleam has caught the helmets of our soldiers, and warmed and cheered all our hearts.

The late M. Venizelos observed that in all her wars England -- he should have said Britain, of course -- always wins one battle -- the last. It would seem to have begun rather earlier this time. General Alexander, with his brilliant comrade and lieutenant, General Montgomery, has gained a glorious and decisive victory in what I think should be called the battle of Egypt. Rommel's army has been defeated. It has been routed. It has been very largely destroyed as a fighting force....

Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. but it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning
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The EGE said:
Does anyone remember this headhouse? I believe that it was at Chinatown (then Essex) and built around 1972, but I'm not sure which corner.View attachment 1058
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If you are correct about the Chinatown location (and I think you are), then I do remember it, though the building had been torn down. I never noticed it disappearing, but I think it ultimately became this:

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Screenshot_20191104-131340_Chrome.jpg
Screenshot_20191104-131519_Chrome.jpg


Only two interesting items from today's board meeting thus far, second headhouse at Forest Hills finally opens this week after sitting dormant and finished for 6 months awaiting "inspections"

And next weekends orange line diversion is "supersized", will have full bus shuttles from Ruggles through to Sullivan Square to allow for track access at the entrance near Sullivan Square and the entrance b/t Mass Ave and Ruggles.
 
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