Sporting a bright blue button that read, “How can I help you today?” Jonathan Davis, the acting general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, listened to T riders voice their opinions on Thursday as part of the MBTA’s ongoing “Talk to the T” campaign.
“[The customers] appreciate not only myself being here but others from the MBTA so that they have a voice and we can address their concerns, complaints or compliments,” Davis said in an interview with The Daily Free Press, as Bostonians gathered around a table set up at South Station to discuss questions and concerns with representatives from the MBTA.
Former MBTA general manager and current MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey started the campaign about two years ago, and meetings have been held about every two months since. The meetings take place at MBTA stations around the city.
“We hope to share information with the public and allow the public to give us recommendations what they think we need to do to improve their service,” said MBTA spokeswoman Lydia Rivera in an interview.
“If we can make adjustments to service without costing us much money, we will,” Rivera added.
When asked about congestion on the Green Line, Davis, who Davey appointed to his vacated position in September, said that riders could expect to see more three-car trains, but that four-car trains are not in the foreseeable future.
“I’m a regular user of the Green Line. Even last night, I saw three-car Green Line trains while I was waiting in Boylston,” Davis said. “That should help in reducing some of the crowding.”
Four-car trains would be an issue for the MBTA’s signal systems and station platforms, Davis said.
Davis also added that there is a possibility of reduced service during the winter.
“Last year, we were challenged with the winter conditions and being able to provide a reliable service,” Davis said. “We have taken the lessons learned from last year and incorporated them into our winter plans for this year so that we can manage customer’s expectations.”
He said that during the most severe winter conditions, the MBTA might not be able to provide full service, especially full service on the commuter rail. In spite of this, overcrowding should not be a problem, he said.
“Typically, we do see a drop in ridership, so we would not necessarily be carrying as many people,” Davis said.
The Green Line is the most heavily ridden light-rail system in the country, Davis said.
“But we think we provide pretty good service on the Green Line in spite of the amount of passengers it carries everyday and the age of the equipment,” he said.
Some riders said they were not impressed with the “Talk to the T” initiative.
“I’ve been to these before,” said Danny Gromet, a Boston resident. “It’s the same every time. Same people, same response.”
Other commuters said they saw the discussion as a perfect opportunity to voice their concerns.
“This is perfect timing,” said Janis Bundy, a daily MBTA passenger. “[Davis] was very receptive.”
The next “Talk to the T” discussion will be on Jan. 19 at North Station.
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All this talk about 4 care trains and u still wont look at 4 track tunnels at busy locations for express trains, turning the green line into heavy rail by raising plat forms and adding new elevated lines like nyc subways????
On Sunday morning the Green Line runs one car trains and they are always packed like sardines. The day of BU graduation was a nightmare with extreme crowding and yet only one car trains on the B line. One car trains are often run in the evening too then held over in Kenmore. The crowding is unbearable and the frequent “standing by” of trains cause me to miss a bus connection at Orient Heights.
No elevators in Government Center. People with mobility issues (or hurting knees like mine) as well as people with baby strollers have no choice but to take the stairs. Carrying babies and strollers down stairs is dangerous. Taking 4 trains to go from the Green Line to the Blue is not a reasonable option.