We hit the streets this week to ask readers how they are coping (and will continue to cope) with the ongoing Green Line problems and the unprecedented month long shut down of the Orange Line starting August 19. Mayor Wu has pledged to make all the Boston blue bikes free for the duration of the shutdown. Extra shuttle buses will clog the streets to assist Orange Line riders coming in and out of the city, and the lucky few who can walk to work from Green or Red Line stops will start an unplanned health routine in these late summer weeks.
Edward D. A Construction Engineer from Roxbury, said, “I drive. Traffic which is already brutal is going to be worse. Until it is fixed I would hope that at the very least all T riders receive a reduced if not free fare.”
Francois T. A Social Worker explained, “I take the T to go to work. During this period, I will have to get up 15 minutes earlier so that I can catch the Purple Train at Malden station at 7:37 from Haverhill. I was told I could use my Charlie card to ride the Commuter Rail. So, I won’t have to pay!! After that, I will have to take the shuttle buses which will make me lose a few more minutes. The good side of this story, the shutdown will force me to walk a little more, from Boston Common to the office, which is healthy!! To get home, I will have to catch the Purple Line to Haverhill at 4:25. I live in Malden. So I don’t have any suggestions for the Mayor because I don’t know much about the transportation across the City of Boston.”
Delicious Perez. An Outreach Worker in Chinatown, said, “I take the Orange Line. Dirty trains. Those seats are so gross. And so loud- both the trains and the tracks. Downtown Crossing is a toilet. I depend on the OL to get to work every day. I don’t know what I will do! Most of our clients arrive on the Orange line (Boston, Somerville, Malden/Medford). Whenever I give directions to clients, I always say the Orange Line is the best way into Chinatown because parking is impossible. I think the city needs to clean up and modernize.” However you plan to get through this latest in a long line of problems with our venerable public transportation system, please remember that we’re all in this together. Stay calm, cool, and collected. This too shall pass, and essential repairs will prevent longer shutdowns and major repairs later.
