Last Saturday one of the B trains on the green line derailed. This might come as a shock considering there was not a single ounce of snow in sight, but to some… this is just a typical day with the MBTA. The T is notorious for not running on time, randomly stopping, and a whole lot of other inconveniences to its passengers, so this can just be added to the list.
However, all Boston residents will be happy to hear that the MBTA is making some much-needed updates to the Green Line. But, what are they and will they actually improve the T?
Here are the proposed changes according to the MBTA (in order of relevance to a BU Student):
- New Green Line Vehicles
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This is the renovation we’ve all been waiting for and will be one of the few changes that most affect the Green Line passengers. The project is still in the planning stage. However, when it is implemented, the 24 new trains will have a plethora of new updates. They will be able to accommodate 10% more passengers, will have sliding doors, stop request buttons, and video monitors/better speaker system for announcements. Among these adjustments, the vehicles themselves will be safer with new braking systems and a host of other technological improvements to the train’s mechanisms.
- B Line Stop Consolidation
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This change, still in the design phase, won’t affect many BU students but still hopes to lessen some of the current T problems. Not to worry, most of the BU stops will remain the same, but BU West and St. Paul St. will be merged, as well as the Babcock and Pleasant Street stops. The MBTA proposes that this will increase safety for traffic go-ers and pedestrians, but we’ll have to wait until its completion in 2021 to find out.
- Fenway Portal Project
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This project is working to reduce flooding at the Fenway station. The nearby river, Muddy River, has caused problems for the D Line in the past so the MBTA is hoping to avoid future flooding issues by installing doors at the entrances to the station and a new water pumping station.
- Green Line Extension
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This proposal, also in the design phase, will extend the T and the commuter rail past Lechmere. Seven new stations will be added, as the Green Line will now reach both Somerville and Medford. This will provide much easier and affordable access to the city for individuals living in those areas.
- D Line Track & Signal Replacement
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This renovation is actually in progress, and you can see the effects of it at Kenmore Station. Busses are lined up outside BU’s Barnes & Noble, ready to take passengers to their stops on the D Line while the tracks are being replaced. The proposed goal is to install a total of 25,000 feet of new track and replace the old signal equipment with new technology. They are promoting the fact that these changes will increase the train’s reliability and result in fewer delays.
So, the MBTA is being super ambitious with all these plans… but will they really fix the problem? Boston is known for having a problematic public transportation system compared to cities like New York and London. Hopefully, these improvements will actually function as intended and make transport in Boston more reliable and more convenient. All projects should be completed by 2021, and only time will tell.
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