Watch CBS News

Keller @ Large: Nightmare Continues For MBTA Commuters

BOSTON (CBS) – These should be the best of times for the MBTA.

Beautiful weather with none of the hazards that often disrupt service during the winter and fall. Years of focus on fixing T operations and service and hundreds of millions of dollars spent to improve tracks and other infrastructure. Riding the T these days should be a commuter's dream, right?

Try nightmare instead.

Power systems keep failing, forcing riders to abandon their trains and trolleys for nightmarish waits to pack onto shuttle busses. The green line and the red line have had an especially tough stretch, with numerous breakdowns frustrating customers.

And with the traffic bad and getting worse and the cost of keeping a car on the road, most long-suffering T riders have no choice but to keep on suffering.

"The biggest benefit associated with this is going to be the additional vehicles that can be used to support the traveling public especially during key busy times," Gov. Charlie Baker said. "You know on the green line that's going to mean commutes but it's also going to mean baseball games and stuff like that."

Baker and T officials keep asking for patience. New trains and better service are on the way, they say. And I want to know - do you believe it? And what would you like to see the T do to make it more bearable while we're waiting?

Later this morning I'll be talking with MBTA general manager Luis Ramirez in an interview that will air this Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. Send me a question or comment and I'll pick some to share with him.

Your opinion is welcome. Share it via email at keller@wbztv.com, or use Twitter, @kelleratlarge.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.