Economic pain train's a coming (Boston: costs, parking, rating)

[sawyer2]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

I think many people are never going to look at the train or bus the same again after this even if they were taking it every day. I know I’m not.

Cant blame them really based on how packed the T and buses look like during rush hour.

I expect that traffic will be way worse than usual once fully open. Although, WFH, staggered shifts, and unemployment will counter to some extent.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

I think many people are never going to look at the train or bus the same again after this even if they were taking it every day. I know I’m not.

I don't think that'll be true for most people unless they were already on the fence about it. There are economic realities (it's incredibly expensive to drive and park downtown), and quality of life realities (it's soul crushing sitting in traffic for hours every day) that will eventually overtake many of the concerns people have right now. People aren't going to be as scared as they are right now forever. Trains and buses will always have a role in moving people. None of the previous pandemics have changed that, and this one won't either. I'm not interested in getting on the T now, but in a few months, I'll certainly be doing it.

[Bridge781]

I think airplanes and trains are both to be avoided right now. The train has hundreds of people riding it everyday. It seems like the odds of breathing it in on the train are more likely than on a plane. Just thinking about the odds.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

I think airplanes and trains are both to be avoided right now. The train has hundreds of people riding it everyday. It seems like the odds of breathing it in on the train are more likely than on a plane. Just thinking about the odds.

That would of course depend on how crowded each is. All being equal, I would feel better on a train than a plane right now. At least trains have constant outside air flowing in.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by massnative71

That would of course depend on how crowded each is. All being equal, I would feel better on a train than a plane right now. At least trains have constant outside air flowing in.

That - and the ability to easily move seats, stand, get off one car and get on another, etc. If I'm standing in the subway station and the train pulling in looks too crowded, I can wait for the next one. If you're on a plane, you're stuck.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by massnative71

That would of course depend on how crowded each is. All being equal, I would feel better on a train than a plane right now. At least trains have constant outside air flowing in.

Originally Posted by lrfox

That - and the ability to easily move seats, stand, get off one car and get on another, etc. If I'm standing in the subway station and the train pulling in looks too crowded, I can wait for the next one. If you're on a plane, you're stuck.

Talking about outside air, do MBTA buses have windows that can open? I haven't been on a MBTA bus in years. I know some charter buses and private bus lines have windows that can open.

[Bridge781]

Originally Posted by lrfox

That - and the ability to easily move seats, stand, get off one car and get on another, etc. If I'm standing in the subway station and the train pulling in looks too crowded, I can wait for the next one. If you're on a plane, you're stuck.

True. But if you have a 40 min commuter rail ride or need to take the train from Braintree to Harvard you are on there a while.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by AtkinsonDan

Talking about outside air, do MBTA buses have windows that can open? I haven't been on a MBTA bus in years. I know some charter buses and private bus lines have windows that can open.

Yes they do.

Originally Posted by Bridge781

True. But if you have a 40 min commuter rail ride or need to take the train from Braintree to Harvard you are on there a while.

You definitely are. And you don't have the flexibility to let a commuter rail train go by in most cases. But there's still a lot more opportunity to create space on the train than there is on a plane.

[Bridge781]

Well I hope everyone abandons the T. They deserve to go out of business

[chicagoliz]

Originally Posted by Bridge781

Well I hope everyone abandons the T. They deserve to go out of business

I sure hope this doesn't happen. I've lived in places without public transit and it is awful. We need increased public transit, not decreased.