Colorblind Updates on the MBTA

Bostonist is among the badTransit faithful. Flashing FAILURE icons often let us know when we can expect unusually long delays. While killing some time by planning our trip out to Concord this weekend on the commuter rail (which seems to often have a face full of egg when badTransit is watching), we noticed something besides the medical emergency holding up the commuter rail’s outbound Needham line. Under the Green Line, emergency bussing due to an auto accident is listed as being in effect for the Ashmont--Mattapan extension of the Red Line. As you can see in the picture below the listing for delay is listed both under Red and Green Line service.

Sure the Ashmont to Mattapan line is light rail trolleys just like the Green Line. In fact, last we had been told, some of the old green line trolleys still ran on the Mattapan line. But apparently the Transit Updates on the MBTA site got a bit confused. Next time Bostonist is standing underground, sweating, at Park Street waiting for a “D” line car to pull up we won’t be able to help but think “wonder if it’s not coming because it’s in Mattapan?”