Sunday, May 19, 2013
The new system will provide more detailed service alert information via text and email.
The MBTA is rolling out an entirely new alerts system next month which includes changes from the details provided in alert messages to a visual website enhancement. Through the new system, which goes into effect June 4, users can opt to receive email or text alerts for a late bus or train or a service interruption, much like the old system. However, the new alerts “will be clearer and more detailed with additional information regarding specific trip times, service schedule changes, and distinct directional, branch and station communications,” according to anMBTA press statement released Thursday. MBTA Deputy Press Secretary Kelly Smith further explained the new system in an email to Patch: "It’s built around a core of GTFS data. GTFS, or …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The explosive-sniffing dogs recently began service with the MBTA by way of the Middle East.
Three bomb-sniffing dogs were led into service along the MBTA this week. The Metro’s Boston edition reported Monday the three dogs – Moxie, Shifty and Wire – completed tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq, completing weeks of training to get them used to working around civilians. The Metro also published a photo gallery of the dogs with their transit police counterparts Tuesday. FENWAY-KENMORE PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The incident was caught on a bus’ security cam.
On the same day the MBTA launched their “don’t touch a bus driver” campaign, the transit police posted a video showing a woman shoving a driver before exiting a bus. The MBTA Transit Police in a May 6 post on the police blog are urging the public to contact them if they recognize the woman who is carrying a young child in the video. “Take another look contact us if you know her, 617-222-1050, MBTA SeeSay app or anonymously at our text tip line 873873” the post says. Beginning this week, MBTA buses have posted signage which say “Don’t Touch The Driver” in an effort to prevent attacks on on-duty MBTA employees. FENWAY-KENMORE PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates
Monday, May 6, 2013
Google partnered with the MBTA to deliver free wireless internet to the Boston area’s largest train station.
The MBTA is starting to get wired. South Station will have free wireless internet beginning today, according to a joint press release from Google, Redevelopment Ventures Corp. and the MBTA. Google invested in the endeavor and Redevlopment Ventures Corp. is responsible for WiFi development, the press release says. “Anything that improves our customers’ transit experience is a good thing,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in the statement. “By coupling this new initiative with the WiFi service provided on Commuter Rail trains, the MBTA is keeping its customers connected from the moment they enter South Station to the time they exit trains.” FENWAY-KENMORE PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates
Monday, April 29, 2013
The twice-daily express commuter rail made its debut Monday.
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation alongside other agencies launched a new express commuter train between Worcester and Boston Monday morning. The train runs along the Worcester/Framingham line twice daily: once toward Boston during the morning commuter and once toward Worcester in the afternoon, according to MBTA.com. During weekday mornings, the train will depart from Worcester’s Union Station at 6:20 a.m., make a stop in Framingham at 7 a.m., make another stop at Back Bay Station at 7:37 a.m. and finish the run at South Station at 7:43 a.m. In the afternoon, the train will depart from South Station at 5:35 p.m., stop at Back Bay Station at 5:41 p.m., make a stop in Framingham at 6:13 p.m. and finish in Worcester at 6:43 p.…
Thursday, April 25, 2013
After five years of waiting, the first batch of double-decker commuter coaches left from North Station Wednesday morning.
Passengers aboard three brand new commuter rail cars, which left from North Station this morning, took a ride that was five years in the making. The MBTA announced Wednesday that three of the 75 new double-decker commuter rail coaches built by Korean company Hyundai-Rotem were in service. The cars left from North Station toward Harvehill at 10:30 a.m. April 24. “We are constantly working to bring our customers a better experience,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in an MBTA statement. “These new coaches will do just that; with a cleaner, more informed and more comfortable trip for all on board.” The coaches will service the north side of the commuter rail system before operating throughout in the coming weeks, according to the …
After five years of waiting, the first batch of double-decker commuter coaches left from North Station Wednesday morning.
Passengers aboard three brand new commuter rail cars, which left from North Station Wednesday morning, took a ride that was five years in the making. The MBTA announced Wednesday that three of the 75 new double-decker commuter rail coaches built by Korean company Hyundai-Rotem were in service. The cars left from North Station toward Haverhill at 10:30 a.m. on April 24. “We are constantly working to bring our customers a better experience,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in a statement. “These new coaches will do just that, with a cleaner, more informed and more comfortable trip for all on board.” The coaches will service the north side of the commuter rail system before operating throughout the system in the coming weeks, …
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The T is running close to normal Wednesday, but Copley Station remains closed.
A 12-block downtown triangle continues to be closed to the public following the Marathon Monday bombings.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Normal Green, Orange and Red line service resumed with 'significant residual delays' late Monday following the explosions at the Boston Marathon.
The Green Line's Copley station will remain closed on Tuesday following Monday's bombing at the Boston marathon finish line. All other regular T service has resumed on the MBTA's Green, Orange and Red lines, effective around 5:45 p.m. on Monday, according to MBTA.com. Park Street and Downtown Crossing stations have reopened. MBTA T service in downtown Boston was suspended on several lines Monday afternoon as emergency crews responded to the scene in Copley Square where two explosions occurred shortly after 2 p.m. The MBTA’s Green Line service between Kenmore and Park Street stations was shut down around 3:30 p.m. Monday, although Green Line service continued to run between Lechmere and North Station. Both the Green Line's B and C services…
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Dozens of elderly and disabled riders say the cuts would make the paratransit service too expensive to use.
Police arrested several people who were blocking Beacon Street in front of the State House as part of a protest against cuts to the MBTA's service for disabled and elderly passengers. The protest began peacefully around noon but moved into the street 20 minutes later. After seven in folding chairs or wheelchairs stopped traffic for another 20 minutes, police moved in arrested "four to five" of them, according to an officer on the scene. The rally, organized by MassUniting and the Massachusetts Senior Action Coaltion, was called to protest the large fare hikes to the MBTA's paratransit service The RIDE. According to MassUniting, while fares for regular MBTA service went up 23 percent, the cost of The Ride has ballooned up to 150 percent …
