Another day, another Green Line problem
By roadman - 12/2/09 - 4:30 pm
Current alert from the T web page:
Green Line service is experiencing 10-15 minute delays due to a switch problem at North Station. 12/2/2009 3:59 PM
My sources indicate that the problem is due to a train that derailed on a switch. As a result, all eastbound service is currently being turned at either Park Street or Government Center , and that passengers on trains entering Park Street are being advised to take the Orange Line to Haymarket and North Station.
They are currently setting up a Lechmere to North Station shuttle train, and buses will be put in place between North Station and Government Center.
Update as of 4:40 pm - My sources now indicate they will be running shuttle buses, not a shuttle train, between Lechmere and North Station.
Comments
I was trying to go inbound
I was trying to go inbound from North Station. The announcement said to take the Orange to the Blue to Govt Center to get back on the Green. Good times.
Are your sources a scanner
Are your sources a scanner radio and if so, why not say so?
! hilarious
! hilarious
Update: Service restored, but hardly normal.
Latest update from the T web page:
Green Line - All lines are experiencing service delays due a switch problem. B, C, and D line trains will terminate at Government Center and E line service will make all stops to Lechmere. 12/2/2009 3:59 PM
Apart from the fact they continue to show little regard for people trying to get east of Government Center (by looping C trains at Government Center and forcing everyone onto E trains), it's interesting that the date/time stamp for this alert is identical to the alert I included in my original post.
Absurdity
At 4:20 -- well after they had posted an official announcement -- they were still running "Lechmere" trains from Park to Government Center. At Goverment Center, they dumped everyone off, and announced that if you want to get to North Station, you had to go back to Park, walk to Downtown Crossing, and take the Orange Line.
Why they couldn't have announced this at Park is beyond me.
Why they couldn't have announced this on the train -- instead of just dumping us onto the Government Center platform where no one knew what was going on -- was beyond me.
Why the MBTA employees on the Government Center platform insisted on instructing people one-by-one, instead of shouting it to the dozens gathered, is beyond me.
Why each station doesn't keep some folding signboards pointing people toward the (inevitable occasional) shuttle bus stops, instead of having some poor Orangle Line inspector trying to figure out what in tarnation is going on with the shuttle bus AND trying to direct passengers out of North Station a the same time is beyond me.
MBTA fail. You'll be sending me a refund for this one, folks.