The T

Why Does Public Transport Not Arrive on Time? The Pervasiveness of Equal Headway Instability.

Although the paper attempts a generalized discussion of the issue, it specifically mentions the MBTA's attempt to deal with the problem by periodically running express Red Line trains.

Via Mike the Mad Biologist.

No, that's not quite true, Paul Levy reports: They do warn you that fare evasion is a crime so you better pay your damn fare:

I have to give the MBTA something for truth in advertising. It describes this capital improvement project (or one like it) as follows: This project will install new LED information signs on the platforms and lobbies of busy subway stations. These signs will provide visual equivalent of audio information on train arrival times and destination information.

In that sense, the signs are the visual equivalent of the public address system on this line, which for years has also failed to give audio information about delays or train arrivals.

Boston Fire tweets there was a small track fire on the Red Line outbound at Downtown Crossing shortly after midnight. No injuries.

Back in September:
Meltdown on the Red and Orange lines.

Dead train near Central Square for you Red Line fans; broken train at Airport inbound for you Blue Line loyalists.

16WadeSt reports these Cambridge firefighters took the T from Kendall to Central this evening.

Copyright 16WadeSt. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.

Some enterprising MBTA worker figured out he could use some stacks of Metros to sop up leaks on the Orange Line inbound platform at Haymarket. I took this photo today, but the leak wasn't due to today's downpours - the T has been using Metros for months now to sop up the same leak at the same location, probably because it's a lot cheaper than trying to fix the problem.

The MBTA reports a plainclothes transit cop arrested two teenagers on charges they etched something on the window of a 32 bus in Hyde Park this afternoon. Read more

Via Danielle Ouellette, who says it just bolsters her belief she should have just stayed in bed this morning.

Ben Jackson: Today the role of the Green Line will be played by the Red Line.

Patrice Morris says the role of the Green Line today was also played by the Green Line: GD trolley! GD Redline, GD getting to work early!

Orange Line riders: Is it my imagination, or has the Orange Line been particularly Green Linish the past couple of days?

MBTA Transit Police tweet today's lesson re smoking on MBTA:

If you run away from group home,& are carrying a large knife, not a good idea to enjoy a smoke @Davis Sq Sta

Yesterday:
Today's top T tip: If you're wanted by police, don't smoke at a T station

CharlieCard Discount Book.

Via BostonTweet.

MBTA Transit Police say that when passengers on the Orange Line platform at Malden complained about somebody smoking today, an officer started investigating and found a woman puffing away in the station busway. And when he started to question her discovered she was wanted in Cambridge for outstanding warrants for malicious destruction of property and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, they tweet.

There's a T-shirt for that.

Broken train at Reservoir and a medical emergency at Brookline Hills.

The kids at Teen TV Somerville frame the planned Green Line expansion in a novel way - and feature the stylings of the immortal Wig Zamore and US Rep. Mike Capuano. Even better: Judges pick the best song about the Green Line (the first from a kid who thinks the whole thing is a big mistake: "It's not too late ... to give this train away" - sing it!):

Latest Green Line Extension documents from the state.
State to study three locations for trolley repair facility.

Tip o' the beret to Erin Sunderland.

A trolley and a car failed to occupy the same space at Comm. Ave. and Washington Street tonight. Colin Moore tweets it didn't look too bad, except for "all of the cops and fire trucks." Naturally, it caused delays for riders.

But which the rest of us would refer to as "a presidential motorcade."

The T also says there are some issues on the Rte. 1 bus line due to what it does describe as the "presidential visit."

Fell off the platform at the station shortly before 4 p.m., was rescued by Quincy firefighters and Quincy and MBTA police, according to a tweet from the MBTA Transit Police Intelligence Unit. The incident briefly backed up outbound Red Line traffic and meant turning off the power, which left passengers in at least one train in the dark.

Boston Fire Department is on scene for a trolley fire on the outbound side. Pantograph fire is out, the train is dead, expect delays.

State Rep. Carl Sciortino of Medford today announced the formation of the MBTA Legislative Caucus to fight for "the critical need to improve public transportation for both economic and environmental reasons."

Interestingly, State Rep. Byron Rushing was the only Boston legislator to sign on initially, although Sciortino says the founding ten legislators will be joined by others today.

Michael Ratty provides the proof, with a photo from Haymarket station.

Peter McStravick tweets from an inbound Worcester Line train, stuck for 30 minutes somewhere between Yawkey Way and South Station:

They should change the name of this line to 'Worst'er!'

The Boston Coalition of Reason has subway ads up that invite you to learn more about the 40 million Americans it says are "good without God."

No trolleys along Comm. Ave. between Packards Corner and Blandford St. The T says: Take the 57 bus instead - and that they've added extra buses.

T spokesman Joe Pesaturo says repairs are being made to a section of the overhead wire on the outbound side near the BU Bridge, with the work expected to be done by 1 p.m.