Comments on: MBTA Fails Again

By: Chris Schaffer

Chris Schaffer — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:23:28 +0000

@ Matt – Yeah, I do understand that leaves and many other things do cause legitimate problems. However, the types and frequency of problems on our trains have made real problems lose their believability.

Hopefully things will change, but I don’t have the highest hopes.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 15:46:36 +0000

The leaves leave the oil on the rails and yes,it does interfere with the trains braking, because the wheels slide, making stops harder to make.

By: Chris Schaffer

Chris Schaffer — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:49:52 +0000

@ Doodle Bean – I agree, a lot of the problems stem from very old equipment and not having the resources to actually replace much. Although it does make me wonder how much of the $700 million dollars for the next three years contract goes to set operating costs.

Leaves on the track… It amazes me, although only for second. I don’t know if we’ve had that delay on my line, but I got here last fall, so even if it happened I was to knew to the system to find out much.

By: Doodle Bean

Doodle Bean — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:10:50 +0000

On the Fitchberg Line, we just use the SSLT Rule: Delays are due to Switch failure, Signal failure, Leaves or Track work.

Yes. Leaves. Apparently, once MBCR took over operation of the commuter rail, the brakes couldn’t deal with leaf residue on the tracks.

To be fair to MBCR and the T, the aging equipment is the legacy of a long line of Republican Governors, including our lately departed Mittler.