MBCR

Y'know, after reading the Globe's item on the MBCR's quiet car instruction video, I was hoping for a zippy, fun, media-savvy video that would illustrate quiet car rules with hammy overacting, simulated quiet-car confrontations, something. Nope. It's at the other end of that continuum, the one with employees "acting" as passengers and monotonous official soundbites. Not surprisingly, the conductors, who are used to talking in public, do the best.

Also worth noting: the bit about how the quiet "is expected to be maintained purely by mutual respect for one another." In other words, don't expect the conductor to get involved.

The Globe has a fun piece detailing the relationship between the MBTA and MBCR:

Then, in 2007, the MBTA added contract language that effectively offset the penalties and the T began paying Mass Bay about $2 million a year in bonuses for trains that did arrive on time, even as customers were complaining that an increasing number of trains were arriving late or not at all.

As of this morning, the new "train arrival system" countdown timers have been activated on the Reading/Haverhill line, at least at the stations between Wakefield and Greenwood.

With the new system in place, most of the annoying "nanny" messages have gone away. Between the 'countdown' timer, which displays about every thirty seconds, there was only one "non-train" message advising folks to renew their monthly passes online. Not sure if this welcome lack of clutter on the boards is a permanent condition or not.

Interesting thing about the countdown, in that it displays "Next Boston Train In :XX" until two minutes before the train arrives, and then goes completely blank from then on. The signs also do NOT display information about outbound trains, at least for now.

Just got this e-mail from MBCR regarding changes in off-peak boarding of trains.

Customer Service Information

Changes to “Off-Peak” Boarding

Beginning Monday, February 1, 2010, new off peak train boarding and operating procedures will be implemented on all commuter rail lines. From this date forward, no off peak trains will be allowed to depart a station until all exterior doors are fully closed.