Results tagged “redline”

Okay, we might be exaggerating a little, but this sentence from the independent review of the MBTA that was released yesterday caught our attention:

16WadeSt grabbed this photo during the fire from Park Street last night. Although technically it may not be spot on, it has some very cool elements. The leading line and repetition of the columns gives you perspective, and the fireman under the exit sign seems apropos.

So, the T saw two fires last night, just as rush hour was winding down. Bad wiring at South Station closed the Red Line, and, minutes later, a commuter threw trash on the third rail at Chinatown, starting a fire that closed the Orange Line and filled both Chinatown and Downtown Crossing stations with smoke. (Don't do that again, commuter!) Sections of both lines were closed for hours as the T put out the fires and repaired the damage. Shuttle buses were hard to find or, in some cases, completely non-existent. It was a frustrating night.

Lots of people say that MBTA stations look old and dirty, but Brian Matiash has a way of really bringing that to life. This shot of the Davis Square station makes us feel gritty just looking at it (in a good way).

Know how the T says to alert a crew member in case of emergency? Apparently that doesn't apply to medical emergencies, or if it does, T protocol is to have non-medically-trained employees assess a person in need of medical attention as a drunk, then keep the train rolling for more than 20 minutes while that person remains unconscious. In an extremely troubling case, T riders report attempting to get help for a collapsed fellow passenger, only to be completely stonewalled by T multiple officials. Even after T police finally conceded to call EMTs, the train took off without waiting for the EMTs to arrive, or removing the collapsed man from the train. When drivers finally stopped for the emergency at South Station, the man was taken to Tufts-New England Medical Center. EMTs at South Station described the man's situation as "minor."

Those living across the Charles in Cambridge and Somerville might want to think twice about any brunch plans within Boston proper. We're not seeing a service alert on the MBTA website, but Bostonist had a fun time of it making the trip into the city around 8 a.m. today. Track problems between Kendall and Charles/MGH prompted that good ol' shuttle service, and things were a mess. In related news, the website lists snow-prompted delays on the SL2 Silver Line and the 78, 99, 112 and 24 bus lines. So before you head out into the winter wonderland (of terror and aggravation), be advised.

       

Bostonist didn't make it out in person yesterday for the 2009 installment of Boston's annual pantsless subway ride, but our lovely reader Chris Andrews has provided us with a stack of photos from the event. The event, known across the country as No Pants Day, is sponsored locally by the Boston Society of Spontaneity.

"We made room," the MBTA is proclaiming in advertising for its brand new seatless car approach to subway travel. Boston's transportation system will take out seats in Red Line train cars, seemingly with the thought process that riders are so content with the cattle car approach to rush-hour commuting that cramming more people into the T each day will make people even happier.

Today, Red Line trains will resume traveling across the Longfellow Bridge at a clip faster than sprinting pedestrians, reports the Globe. Repairs on the Longfellow are estimated to be 65% complete, and Red Line trains have been authorized to increase speed across the bridge from 10 miles per hour to 25. If no train plunges to its filthy demise in the next couple of weeks, conductors will get the go-ahead to travel at the normal speed of 45 miles per hour.

The MBTA site says, "Red Line service is experiencing 10-15 minute delays between Park Street and Alewife due to a disabled train." Posted 7:52 AM.

The red line is being diverted this morning due to disabled work equipment. Riders are being bussed between Kendall and Park. Update: the T reports that red line service has been restored to normal.

Universal Hub talked to Joe Pesaturo and found that the MBTA still needs to finish some work on the inbound rail ties on the Longfellow Bridge tonight and tomorrow night. Service into Boston should progress "full speed ahead" starting Wednesday. The outbound tracks, however, still need more work, which will happen the weekends of July 12 and 19. Guess we'll be crawling into Cambridge for a while yet.

This weekend is going to suck if you live in one part of Boston and would like to go to a different part.

At least it's a nice day out. Because you may as well not bother going into work if you commute by the red line. (Apologies to those of you who are already stuck on a train somewhere.)

How tall do you have to be to ride the Red Line again? Because you'll feel some thrills riding this particular MBTA line in the next few weeks.

--Some of those who treated the Big Dig like one big, fat ATM are finally getting their just desserts. Yesterday, a Big Dig contractor was charged with trying to overcharge the government by $300,000. They've agreed to plead guilty. [Boston Globe]

">"Public masturbation a persistent problem at Tisch Library," reports that, in the past year, four women claim to have encountered inappropriate public acts of self pleasure in the library. It sounds hilarious, but it is sexual harassment.

--DA Dan Conley has announced a suspect in the murder of Jeffrey Santiago at King Arthur's Lounge in Chelsea--19-year-old Jesse Camacho. Conley has authorized a warrant and wants the public's help in finding him. Here's a description:

If you saw the Boston Herald cover for today, you might think the Red Line is crawling with gropers--or, as Bostonist likes to call them, "T Bags"--even though it's the Green Line that spawned its own groper only recently. But Jessica Heslam took a look at the MBTA's recent crime reports and writes,

-- Call him Governor Patrick-agressive. Deval Patrick unveiled his 2009 budget, and it had a little surprise. $300 million of revenue is set to come from taxes on three casinos that do not yet exist. Patrick wants to license casino gambling in Massachusetts but faces heavy opposition in the legislature. It's a battle he has already won in his own mind. Nearly half -- $124 million -- of the speculative funds will shore up a projected lottery shortfall. [Boston Herald]

A fire broke out last night at about 7:45 at Charles/MGH. A fire department spokesman told the Globe that "some trash landed on the power lines at the MBTA station and sparked a fire."

For the past few months, Bostonist has engaged in a scientific experiment. We've been sniffing around T stops to find out which ones are the most pleasant and which ones are an offense to the olfactory nerves. Each day this week, we'll evaluate the odors you will find at various T stops.

For the past few months, Bostonist has engaged in a scientific experiment. We've been sniffing around T stops to find out which ones are the most pleasant and which ones are an offense to the olfactory nerves. Each day this week, we'll evaluate the odors you will find at various T stops. The Red Line offers so much variety that you just might get dizzy--or drunk: Central Square: 40s, vodka, burnt rubber, more 40s,...

For the past few months, Bostonist has engaged in a scientific experiment. We've been sniffing around T stops to find out which ones are the most pleasant and which ones are an offense to the olfactory nerves. Each day this week, we'll evaluate the odors you will find at various T stops. Today marks a trip down the Orange Line. You might get the munchies on this one: Downtown Crossing: Fried food, mouse poop,...

A viral video posted by our brothers and sisters at Gothamist shows some women who pole danced in a train car on a dare from darejunkies.com, much to the chagrin of the MTA. The video is something to behold, although, after seeing all the crotch-grinding and the dubious looks of some of the men enjoying themselves, we wouldn't want to touch anything in that car after the women finished. Here's the video: Given that this...

Okay, okay, the photo you see here is blurry, but Bostonist had to pay tribute to the Best T Outfit Ever, and you can't even see half of it. We marveled at this rider while riding the Red Line from Downtown Crossing yesterday. Her red-and-black ensemble was spectacular: black high-heel boots, very low-riding leather black pants, a studded black belt, a bright red shirt with a sequined red band, a studded leather vest, and a...