Riding the "T:" More Than Just Grabbing a Seat on the Train

The crash of two trolleys on the MBTA's "D" line in Newton, MA was tragic (an operator was killed) but I think the system as a whole is fairly safe.

What should shake riders complacency is the idea that something like this could happen at all.

I mean, do you ever think about the human coordination and technology it takes to keep trains from ramming into each other and buses from backing up along city streets, on a day to day, week to week basis?

I know I take transit safety for granted.

In spite of the fact that the Longfellow Bridge (the one that looks like salt and pepper shakers and spans the Charles River between Cambridge and Boston) is nearly identical to the I-35W Bridge that fell apart in Minneapolis last year and led to the deaths of 13 people, not once since then have I hesitated to take the red line from MIT to Park Street.

When the Department of Homeland Security and MBTA officials insisted on removing trash barrels from stations and started searching T-riders randomly during the week of the Democratic National Nominating Convention in the summer of 2004, I scoffed at their puny efforts to safeguard passengers.

And when grown-ups and teens take dangerous risks such as crossing the tracks in between stations or ducking under gates (Stephen Garbarino, this past Sunday, May 25th; Robert Castro, Jan. 2007; just to name a few) or engage in the ultimate Darwinian behavior: sunbathing on a train trestle in Maine; I scratch my head and say, "what the hell are these people thinking?"

But the truth remains that people do stupid things in some cases, and in others, simply lose control. And while the managers of our local mass transportation system certainly are not above criticism - the cost of a ride is way too high and I'm always tempted to smash the intercom when I hear that "...if you see something, say something" message - now might be a reasonable time to reflect on and recognize the effort it takes to protect hundreds of thousands of riders every day.

Next time you have the opportunity, thank the conductor on the train you've been riding. Have a kind word or two for the agent in the booth in your local station. (They don't have much to do in the era of the "Charlie Card," so a few words might help them pass the time). And give props to the guy from the cleaning service clearing trash from the station platform.

And by all means, don't just ride the "T." Take an active role in improving the system. Attend monthly MBTA Board of Director's Meetings. Join the Roxbury based T-Riders Union (TRU) or the Association of Public Transportation, publishers of "Car Free in Boston." Stay informed on state transportation budget issues, and infrastructure repairs, and radio on the “T.”

With gas prices up over $4.00 per gallon in some areas, even a $2.00 train ride will start to look pretty good.