Survey: Riders Want Late-Night MBTA Service
A recent survey confirms what most of Boston was already thinking: residents want late-night MBTA service. The Boston Globe reported Friday that about 26,000 people responded to a survey saying they are in favor of late-night bus or train service in Boston. More than 85 percent of respondents said they would be willing to wait 10 to 19 minutes for a late-night bus or train, and half said they’d pay double the fare, according to the Globe. As MBTA officials scramble to close a $ 117 budget gap for fiscal year 2014, and legislators mull Gov. Deval Patrick’s 21st Century Transportation Plan, the T has said it is not making late-night service a priority. MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in a Feb. 21 email that, until the state decides to implement Patrick’s transportation budget roll out, late-night service is out of the question. “Given the enormous strain on the MBTA’s limited resources, the Authority cannot even consider an extension of service hours before action is taken on the 21st Century Transportation Plan,” Pesaturo said. The Night Owl bus service, which ran buses from the end of service at 1 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., existed between 2001 and 2005 but was too costly to maintain. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Bus Attack Leads to Call to Better Protect MBTA Drivers
The president of the MBTA operator’s union is calling for increased efforts on part of police, prosecutors and lawmakers in the wake of a 15-person attack on a bus driver in Dorchester Saturday. Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 John Lee said in a statement published on the union’s website March 10 that such attacks deserve immediate attention by state lawmakers. “The Boston Carmen’s Union ATU Local 589 is relieved and thankful that the Bus Driver, attacked in the early morning hours, was not more seriously injured,” the statement said. “However this assault by a reported mob on an isolated Local 589 member simply doing his job illustrates the need for public safety officials and the legislature to act quickly before a transit worker is killed.” The Boston Globe reported Sunday that there have been 22 reported cases of MBTA drivers who have been assaulted or threatened in 2013 and 18 cases during the same period in 2012. Lee calls for new recognition by lawmakers on House Bill 1508/Senate Bill 718 “An Act to Authorize the Arrest for Assault and Battery on a Public Employee,” which would make it possible for police to arrest a suspect without a warrant should there be sufficient probable cause, according to the language of the bill. The bill was referred to the joint committee on the judiciary Jan. 23 by both the house and senate, though there are no hearings immediately scheduled. “MBTA and RTA workers, male and female, are on the job in the early morning hours and late into the night,” Lee’s post continued. “They are often isolated while working in buses, trolleys and transit stations and are increasing becoming the target of violence. It is well passed time for a crackdown on the thugs that target working women and men on any public transit job.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
MBTA Not Considering Late Night Service
The days of the Night Owl bus service are long gone, and as of now, they may not return. MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said until the state implements Gov. Deval Patrick’s recent 21st Century Plan transportation budget roll out, late night service is out of the question. “Given the enormous strain on the MBTA’s limited resources, the Authority cannot even consider an extension of service hours before action is taken on the 21st Century Transportation Plan,” Pesaturo said in an email. The Night Owl bus service, which ran buses from the end of service at 1 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., existed between 2001 and 2005, but was too costly to maintain. Another major issue working against late night service is the short time it allows for crews to perform critical track maintenance, according to Pesaturo. In the 2012 Massachusetts Department of Transportation film “Boston Under: After Hours,” one segment explains that from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., crews perform maintenance on tracks while service is shut down. That hasn’t stopped T riders from pushing for late service. Boston Stay Up, a Twitter account (@beantownstayup) and Facebook group started by two Suffolk University students “trying to get the T to stay open later,” sprung up recently. Though there are no plans now, the door remains open to future late-night service. Bostinno.com reported Jan. 22 that at least some MassDOT were considering a plan if new funding could be found. “The MBTA is investigating providing service beyond our current 1 a.m. schedule on a pilot basis where there is ridership demand,” according to a statement from MassDOT officials on Bostinno. “If additional operating funds are identified, major bus routes and the most heavily traveled portions of the subway and light rail systems will be considered for extra service.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
MBTA Rider Pens ‘Etiquette Handbook,’ a Guide to Riding the MBTA
Do you know how to prioritize which seat you should pick on a packed commuter rail train? Do you have any idea which door do you should take to exit an MBTA bus? How about casual conversation, how much is too much? One local transit rider has dissected life on the MBTA and written answers to every possible question in terms of riding Boston’s public transportation system. Blogger Mike Tremblay has written the definitive guide to navigating the MBTA titled, “The MBTA Etiquette Handbook” on his blog The Third String Catcher. The post is broken down by mode of transportation, which sub-sections that discuss the issue of personal space – It’s limited so: “Don’t exacerbate the situation…by putting your stuff on the seat, shifting around too much, etc.” – seating prioritization and conversation. “Sure, normal etiquette rules apply in most situations on the MBTA as they do in the rest of everyday life, but there are a few unwritten rules (some that maybe only I know about) that need to be plastered onto the walls of MBTA stations and subway cars,” Tremblay writes at the top of the post. The post contains photo diagrams of seating aboard MBTA modes and a funny graphic about how to properly ride an escalator. And while many of Tremblay’s rules are scientific in approach and well-informed, there’s a bit of conjecture too: From On the Subway, section 5D: “If I hear Dirty Water one more time on the subway or in Downtown Crossing, I’m going to vomit. Seriously, you’re a musician, play something interesting.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Transit Police: Report ‘Open & Gross’ Crimes on MBTA
Transit police are urging the public to report open and gross crimes they see while aboard MBTA trains and at stations following an incident resulting in an arrest at North Station Monday. Mehmet Beyaztas, 24 of Boston was arrested Monday after a witness told police she saw him masturbating on an inbound Lowell commuter rail train, according to the Transit Police News blog. Police want to make the public aware of this sort of crime noting in a following blog post that such crimes tend to go under reported. “[W]e hope it encourages others who have had similar experiences to contact and report the incident to Transit Police,” the blog says. “Our detectives will work tirelessly to identify and hold the offender responsible for their criminal conduct.” The blog instructs victims of such crimes to bring attention to the person, tell others around you, move away if possible, take a picture if safe to do so and report the incident to Transit Police as soon as practical. Also, passengers can call 617-222-1212 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or use the MBTA’s SeeSay app, according to the blog. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
MBTA Will Have Limited Subway and Bus Service Sunday
Looking to take Silver Line service out of the South End on Sunday? Well, you may want to keep shoveling out that car (or call a cab). As crews continue to dig out from the blizzard, MBTA service will remain suspended Sunday. Starting at 2 p.m., limited subway and bus service will run on the Red, Orange and Blue lines between Orient Heights and Government Center, and the Green Line between Kenmore and Lechmere, according to MBTA.com/weather. Limited bus service will also operate on the 1, 23, 28, 39, and Silver Line Washington Street only. Customers are encouraged to stay home and “use service sparingly,” if possible, the website said. Commuter rail routes will remain suspended through Sunday. The MBTA weather update says regularly scheduled MBTA service will resume Monday morning. “Customers should expect significant delays and plan extra time for their Monday morning commute as MBTA service recovers from the impacts of the storm. Due to significant snow accumulations, customers are encouraged to use caution at station platforms and bus stops,” the site says. South End Patch
MBTA Service Shutdown Through Sunday
As crews continue to dig out from the blizzard, MBTA service will remain suspended Sunday. The goal is to have service restored by Monday. Feb. 11, according to MBTA.com/weather. “The safety of customers and employees continues to be the MBTA’s top priority,” according to the site. “This continued suspension of service allows MBTA and MBCR personnel to concentrate all of their efforts on getting the transit system, from subway to bus to commuter rail, up and running as soon as possible,” the site says. South End Patch
MBTA Service Suspended Saturday
The now two-day blizzard that has crushed Boston has caused the MBTA to stay shut down through Saturday. “Due to the impacts of a severe winter storm, MBTA service will remain suspended on all modes Saturday, February 9, 2013,” says a post on MBTA.com. MBTA personnel will be clearing tracks in an effort to get the subways, commuter rail trains and buses back up and running. The MBTA does not have an estimate on when service will resume. For updates and other information about the Feb. 8-9 winter storm, see South End Patch’s storm center. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, Feb. 8: Snow Emergency at Noon, MBTA Shuts Down at 3:30 p.m.
1. Weather: On Thurday night, Friday’s storm was upgraded to a blizzard warning, and at least two feet of snow is expected in this area. The storm will start on Friday morning and will hit peak intensity starting Friday afternoon into Friday night. See here for the latest forecast. 2. MBTA To Shut Down: All bus, subway commuter rail and other services will be suspended starting at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Regular MBTA service will operate “with significant delays” from the start of service Friday until the 3:30 p.m. cutoff. See here for more info. 3. Snow Emergency Parking: A snow emergency will begin at noon in Boston. Here’s a list of the streets you cannot park on, and a link to the nearby garages in the South End that are offering parking specials. The governor is urging residents to be off the road by noon Friday. 4. Cancelling a weekend event? Or is your store or business closing early on Friday? Let me know at sara.jacobi@patch.com and I can update the neighborhood. You can also reach out through Facebook and Twitter. 5. Be in the Know: I’ll be working all weekend to provide neighborhood-specific updates – any power outages, down trees, etc. Follow along in real-time on Facebook and Twitter, and remember, it’s a two-way street. You can send in photos or videos of what you’re seeing out there, and I can share them with the rest of the neighborhood. More South End Patch Storm Coverage South End Storm Center Blizzard Warning Issued for Boston How Boston Cleans Up After a Snowstorm — And What You Can Do NSTAR Offers Tips to Prepare for Snowstorm City Taking Precautions to Deal with Serious Winter Storm SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
South End Storm Center: MBTA to Shut Down at 3:30 p.m. Friday
The current storm, Feb. 7-9: The National Weather Service predicts between one and two feet of snow for Boston, with a strong chance of coastal flooding. National Weather Service forecast Current NWS Storm warnings and advisories: Blizzard Watch Snow Emergency? A snow emergency will go into effect at 12 p.m. on Friday. South End snow emergency parking restrictions: Alternate garages open beginning 10 a.m. Friday. The official city of Boston snow information page MBTA Service Suspended Friday Afternoon As of Thursday evening, the MBTA has decided to suspend all modes of service effective at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8. Regular MBTA service will operate with significant delays from the start of service Friday until 3:30 p.m., according to the transit website. See more information here. Delays, Cancellations and Closings: Schools: All Boston Public Schools are CLOSED on Friday Municipal buildings: Open to essential employees only. State offices: Open Courthouses: Closed Friday at 3 p.m. Other delays reported to WHDH MBTA travel advisories South End Patch News Coverage MBTA Service Suspended on Friday Afternoon Blizzard Warning Issued for Boston How Boston Cleans Up After a Snowstorm — And What You Can Do NSTAR Offers Tips to Prepare for Snowstorm MBTA Winter Weather Info City Taking Precautions to Deal with Serious Winter Storm Weekend Storm Alert Upgraded to Blizzard Watch SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates Scroll down for important phone numbers, websites and more. Stay with South End Patch as we keep you updated throughout the storm. Important numbers listed by the city: Emergencies (Police, Fire, EMS): 911 Mayor’s Hotline (24-Hrs): 617-635-4500 ABCD Fuel Assistance: 617-357-6012 Boston Water & Sewer: 617-989-7000 Consumer Complaints: 617-635-3834 DCR Storm Desk: 617-727-1680 Elderly Commission: 617-635-4366 Inspectional Services: 617-635-1010 MBTA: 617-222-3200 MassDOT: 857-368-6111 National Grid Gas: 800-322-3223 NSTAR Electric & Gas: 800-592-2000 Tow Lot: 617-635-3900 Verizon: 800-837-4966 Resident can also receive snow updates using the City’s Alert Boston system. List of city-authorized cab companies: Top Cab: 617-266-4800 Boston Cab: 617-536-3200 I.T.O.A. Cab: 617-825-4000 City Cab: 617-536-5100 Metro Cab: 617-782-5500 Tunnel Taxi: 617-567-2700 617TaxiCab: 617-829-4222 Was your car towed? Sign up for tow alerts Locate a towed car List of Boston towing contractors Snow removal during and after the storm Track city and contractor plows during the storm Boston snow removal rules and fines Adopt a hydrant to clear of snow South End Patch