Feb 13, 2008 2:08 pm US/Eastern
Late MBTA Trains Now Considered 'On-Time'
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
MBTA commuter trains that used to be considered "late" on the Worcester/Framingham line will now be "on-time" -- even though they aren't arriving any sooner than they did before.
The T has released new arrival and departure times that add 6 to 12 minutes to scheduled trips on the line.
Before the change half the trains on the Worcester/Framingham line were coming in at least five minutes late.
The transit agency says the new times more accurately reflect the length of the trip.
One commuter we talked to said this is another case of the T taking its riders for granted.
"It's a shame that the T has no competition," said Laura Michalski, who rides the commuter rail into Boston for work every day. "I
think that would really make them appreciate their customers base versus taking
them for granted."
Kris Mullen rides the Haverhill/Reading line into work and agrees.
"The MBTA's 'reality,' at least on the Reading line, is that they've cut the number of conductors on the ride from 3 to two, and since you're not allowed to board a train where there's no conductor, you have the same number of people trying to get on the train but through 2 less doors so naturally it's going to take much longer at each stop, causing an overall delay. I wouldn't be surprised if that's the reason for the delay on the Worcester line too."
Later Kris writes: "They raised my fares last year by over 30% (and I'm only in Zone 2!) and not only did the service not improve, it worsened," says Mullen. "It has yet to recover to satisfactory levels. But I have no choice in the matter due to no competition."
Harry Valentgas rides the Worcester/Framingham line and says the people that really suffer are those that live west of Framingham.
"The people who really suffer from this are the ones
who live beyond Framingham. Their only option to commute to Boston is to either
fight the traffic on the ever increasing toll pike or ride the train; which does not give you as many times than if you lived in Framingham or closer to Boston," says Valentgas.
Commuter Robert Oliveira echoed many others thoughts in saying this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to problems with the MBTA.
"It's no surprise that the MBTA is adding time to their unrealistic schedules. In reality, the delays extend beyond Framingham/Worcester," says Oliveira. "I've been riding the
Middleboro/Lakeville line for 2 years, and delays of up to 10 minutes have been
pretty much routine. Delays are just the tip of the iceberg here... The commuter rail is overrated and not nearly worth the money I pay for it."
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(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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