Two New ‘Star Wars’ Movies Will Be Out By the Time the MBTA Replaces Its Trains
Photo via Flickr.com/ bindonlane
After hundreds of riders using the T’s Green, Red, and Orange Lines were stuck standing on the platforms Friday morning due to disabled vehicles, officials from the MBTA apologized, and reminded passengers that “soon” there would be upgraded trains on the tracks, hopefully limiting the amount of commuter delays.
We apologize for delays this AM but we'll soon be replacing 44-yr-old Red Line cars w/ new ones- learn more: http://t.co/v8WUZCsDPL
— MBTA (@MBTA) November 8, 2013
According to transit officials, the delays on the Orange Line were due to a disabled train at Oak Grove, and the Red Line, which experienced “severe delays” at Alewife, triggering residual backups down the line, led to crowds of commuters cluttering the platform for an extended period of time. The T is investigating what may have caused the train troubles.
Clearly, the MBTA hoped the apologetic Tweet would quell rider frustration. But it didn’t.
As one passenger pointed out, the new trains that the T referenced to in their tweet won’t be arriving for another six years, so “soon” isn’t exactly accurate. “I’ll get to watch at least two new ‘Star Wars’ movies by the time there are new Red [and] Orange Trains,” tweeted Seth Hardy.
Others chimed in to remind the MBTA that, indeed, the upgrades to vehicles technically won’t happen until 2019.
@MBTA thank you for the apology (this has been an issue all week), but I don't know if I'd label six years from now "soon"… #PR_Tips
— Adam Blye (@adamblye) November 8, 2013
@MBTA says we're getting new Orange and Red line cars "soon". Better let my future kids know in 2019 they can be the first to use them
— Parker A. (@Parker_008) November 8, 2013
Last month, Governor Deval Patrick announced millions of dollars would go toward purchasing new train cars for the Red and Orange Lines. The T plans to replace the entire fleet of 120 Orange Line cars, and 74 Red Line cars.
New Orange Line train delivery is scheduled to begin in the winter of 2018-19, and Red Line car delivery should happen in the fall of 2019.
Besides the new look on the outside, upgrades inside the trains could include an Automatic Passenger Counting System, which would help the transit agency track its customer base, LED displays inside the cars, and interactive maps that tell riders what stop they are on.
Until then, riders should get accustomed to the sporadic service that comes with a transit agency running and owning 44-year-old trains.
