Commuter train and the Red Sox
If anyone followed what happened yesterday at ALL commuter train stops around Boston, you'd see that trains were packed and most just couldn't stop to pick up more passengers. More trains were added to relieve the pressure but many were left at stations waiting for a train.
I write about this because we saw first hand what would happen if many more people rode the trains. Every parking facility was jammed by 8am and people had to find other places to leave their cars.
We've heard a lot about mass transit... and how the elected and want to be elected propose fixing the system. But yesterday's influx of people into Boston showed clearly we are not ready for more riders or even have enough parking facilities to handle many more riders.
I got me thinking about the tracks themselves. Why couldn't we lease track time to an independent carrier to fit in between the trains that run now? Cable companies do that with wire on a pole now. So do cell towers who rent space on their tower to other communications companies.
Recently someone has suggested using light weight electric trains above ground in Boston.
https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2015/11/29/light-weight-elevated-trains-future-boston/ecu94XJBElmecueGEIZTYI/story.html
Light weight transit has been around in various cities across the country.
A quote worth reading:
" Transit providers in the U.S. have continually cut basic local service in a vain effort to improve their finances. But they only succeeded in driving riders and revenue away. When the transit service that cities provide is not attractive, the demand from passengers that might “justify” its improvement will never materialize".
Baker has said he has poured a billion dollars into mass transit, Gonzalis wants to tax colleges for transportation and education purposes and fire Keolis and bring management inside. I haven't heard any new ideas to solve the mass transit issue, but if we don't get going soon, traffic on our roads will hurt employees and employers. The only quick infusion of money would be to toll our major highways.
posted by Jim Pillsbury @ 12:27 PM
9 Comments
9 Comments:
An interesting idea to pursue, Jim.
This was a bog topic in the gubernatorial debate last night, transit. I don't think Gonzalez has a realistic plan for fixing any of this. Baker's plan it going to take some time, but I at least feel that he is being honest. I would like to feel better about Gonzalez but he was part of the last administration and the lack of attention to the problems with public transportation were largely ignored by Patrick. I have to say I find it disingenuous for him to be railing on the sitting Governor for this issue, which was completely ignored by the administration he was part of. I think more cars to carry people is a great idea, but as many of the problems are related to tracks, signals, and as you say, parking, just adding more cars to the tracks is not going to fix it. Where do the people park who are going to be taking a seat on those additional cars?
we watched the debate as well...one says this.. the other says that. But nothing will happen without a dedicated revenue stream. I can't see taxing the college endowments.
It boils down to who you believe will get something done. Baker has gotten along with DeLeo's House, but not much gets done there to begin with. Mass Transit has to radically change and soon. I guess Baker is the only choice to make something happen.
I think everyone knows Baker is going to get re-elected but that does not mean we should not try to hold his feet to the fire on these issues. Overall he has done well but not enough urgency for me in his response to the State Police overtime scandal and mass transit. If you took all that money the troppers were paid that they did not earn we would probably have enough to fix the T. Can we make those troopers pay that money back?
A few that have plead guilty already have been ordered to pay back the amount of money they received gaming the system. The bigger money is the retirements they will get unless the retirement board and the legislature fix the system that allows those convicted of a crime to get their full pension.
There is talk of a three tear system that considers the offense of those convicted. So a cop convicted of a misdemeanor would get all of his/her pension. A felony conviction would take away all the pension. The devil is in the details and imo, whomever the Governor is, should take a clear stand against any state cop who knowingly lied about their hours worked.
So you can be fired or resign from your job with the state because of your actions being illegal and still get your pension? Does this happen in other states? This is bullshit!
Is that pension issue just the case for cops or is that the case for all state employees?
All State employee's fall under the same retirement boards. The State cops actions have just brought this to light. The main issue is, did the employee use his or her job as a way to defraud the system. The top cop of the Environmental force will not be getting his pension. The secretary who stole from the State Police will not be getting her pension as well. Annie Dooken as well. We/I have to be on the look out for any move from the legislature to weaken the retirement boards authority. If I had a rep at the State House, I'd be writing them about it, but something tells me Ms. Robinson will be sitting on the side lines and not pressing the matter on the hill.
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