General MBTA Topics (Multi Modal, Budget, MassDOT)

stick n move said:
Anyways its just crazy that besides the glx using existing ROWs theres really nothing else going on. There has to be more were capable of we cant just build and build and ignore expanding transit even if the numbers may not be fun right now. We either grow it or car traffic will grind the city to a halt.
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Not much going on except for 40% and 50% capacity improvements on both the Red and Orange lines, serious contemplation and study of redoing the green line with all low floor vehicles (leading to capacity increases), Silver Line out to Chelsea completed, and a whole bunch of other things like transit signal priority, Charlie Card 2.0, etc.

I do agree, though, that we desperately also need a whole bunch of other projects/real expansions to be done, though. Red/Blue, Urban Ring, Regional Rail, Needham Line converted to rapid transit, Blue to Lynn, etc.
 
Speaking of Red-Blue, please join us for a free Beer & Transit with Fred Salvucci tomorrow night: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beer-transit-what-can-red-blue-do-for-you-tickets-54802475680

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So I'm guessing from the lack of angry ranting in here the T survived the snow, ice, and extreme cold of the past few days. So congrats, unless that's premature and you're all stuck on a disabled train right now, unable to post.
 
Lowell Line inbound lost 1 train mid route and Passengers had to transfer to another train. Green Line seemed choppy (probably due to crush loading)
 
Jouhou said:
They aren't doing any of that cheaply. I think the big dig traumatized multiple generations, people are hesitant to commit to any large project that could have similar ballooning costs. My childhood memories of Boston are marred by the constant construction and insane traffic created by the big dig. I wasn't driving and I remember how awful that was.
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No doubt there is still a heavy hangover effect from the Big Dig. But we need to get over that. It was disruptive, it was expensive, and Boston is a demonstrably better place today because it happened. The same would be true of a comprehensive urban rail upgrade.
 
Lowell line was a mess this morning after that mechanical failure, which had a domino effect on the entire line (and haverhill line) for several hours. Was also delayed prior due to "late equipment arrival."
 
T shoveling at stations has been abysmal.

30 min delays on the OL this morning.

The T is not prepared for anything.
 
datadyne007 said:
T shoveling at stations has been abysmal.

30 min delays on the OL this morning.

The T is not prepared for anything.
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Yeah, Government Center was a skating rink. Legitimately dangerous in all directions.

The OL was awful, the Red Line was a bit delayed early on and you could feel the residual. But it was functional at least.

I know it's been beaten to death and the fix is incoming, but the rush hour headways on the OL on a good day are just an abomination.
 
I'll be at the event tonight. Either wear a clown costume or dress like Dracula so that we know you're from AB. "Slutty Meals on Wheels driver" also acceptable.

The OL was a disaster this morning.
 
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Coyote137 said:
I'll be at the event tonight. Either wear a clown costume or dress like Dracula so that we know you're from AB. "Slutty Meals on Wheels driver" also acceptable.

The OL was a disaster this morning.
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I will be there in blue pants and a blue gingham shirt in honor of the Blue Line. I'll have my TM staff nametag that says Tim. Come say hi!
 
Figured that the freeze would make for a miserable commute, especially on the MBTA.

Lucky for them we are getting a rare warm spell, albeit rain.
 
HenryAlan said:
No doubt there is still a heavy hangover effect from the Big Dig. But we need to get over that. It was disruptive, it was expensive, and Boston is a demonstrably better place today because it happened. The same would be true of a comprehensive urban rail upgrade.
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Yup, cant let the big dig stifle growth for the rest of time. Its been a success time to move forward on more big infrastructure/transit projects.
 
HenryAlan said:
No doubt there is still a heavy hangover effect from the Big Dig. But we need to get over that. It was disruptive, it was expensive, and Boston is a demonstrably better place today because it happened. The same would be true of a comprehensive urban rail upgrade.
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It is, but I think Boston could do ok doing one moderately big project at a time. Like finish glx, move on to red to blue connector. All while doing a boat load of smaller improvements across the system.
 
Jouhou said:
It is, but I think Boston could do ok doing one moderately big project at a time. Like finish glx, move on to red to blue connector. All while doing a boat load of smaller improvements across the system.
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I suppose, but how does GLX impact Red/Blue and vice verca? There actually shouldn't be a lot of pain associated with completing GLX, so why wait on something else? Similarly, converting Needham to rapid transit wouldn't really cause too much trauma. Same with electrifying South side regional rail, etc., etc., etc. In total, these might cause a similar amount of disruption, but it would be geographically disbursed, making it a much less intensive experience for people.
 
Jouhou said:
They aren't doing any of that cheaply. I think the big dig traumatized multiple generations, people are hesitant to commit to any large project that could have similar ballooning costs. My childhood memories of Boston are marred by the constant construction and insane traffic created by the big dig. I wasn't driving and I remember how awful that was.
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Would you prefer the Big Dig never happened and we still had the Central Artery going through the heart of Boston and using only the Callahan and Sumner tunnels for Logan access?

Medicine never tastes good. Exercise is uncomfortable. Those who appreciate the long-term benefits deal with it.....and benefit.

The Big Dig - - with all of its cost overruns - - was the single greatest action taken by the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since filling in the Back Bay. I challenge ANYONE to compare where Boston/Cambridge is today compared to 1985. Without the Big Dig, it doesnt happen - - it wasn't Menino's charisma that brought Boston into the big leagues.

I get it and agree - - cost overruns are terrible and need to be reined in. New management systems need to be employed to guard against them.

But the Big Dig reinvented Boston and took it out of the minor leagues. NYC now has a 2nd Ave subway, Seattle will have comprehensive mass transit.

What does sitting on oiur hands and "saving the cost overruns" do for the increasingly unmanageable traffic in Boston? You know who DOESN'T experience cost overruns on mass transit? Anyplace in Kansas.
 
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