Is the T even worth the trouble? (Boston: trains, office)

[Amontillado]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Here anyone say it is no biggie? I didn't. That's big, but that's exceptionally rare, just like a an accident on the pike that shuts down traffic is rare, but less rare than this.

But where is the problem here? With the T? Nope. This is an AMTRAK failure. They operate the switches and signals. That's for profit enterprise for you. ...

I'm sure Amtrak would love to make a profit, but they're another publicly-owned authority that's starved for money and operating in an environment where they can't do a decent job of maintaining their facilities. Any time we say "We want better service" we'll hear the response "Only if you pay for it".

[bjimmy24]

Lol dude

Amtrak is just another failure of a government program. Trust me, Amtrak does not make profits. That would involve customer service and not messing up so royally.

[mp775]

Originally Posted by Dm84

It's sadly getting to the point where driving is more reliable than the T.

Reliable in that the delays happen so often you can count on them.

[Whatsnext75]

basically unless you live down the st from where you work and can walk you are screwed.

[bjimmy24]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

basically unless you live down the st from where you work and can walk you are screwed.

Definitely the way to go if you can.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by bjimmy24

Lol dude

Amtrak is just another failure of a government program. Trust me, Amtrak does not make profits. That would involve customer service and not messing up so royally.

They're run as a for profit. That's how they're set up. Lots of for profits don't make any profits, that's not uncommon, it doesn't change the fact that they are a for profit enterprise.

But the point is the failure at South Station has nothing to do with the T.

[timberline742]

Originally Posted by Whatsnext75

basically unless you live down the st from where you work and can walk you are screwed.

Or you know, you take the T, like everyone in my Boston office, and none of us have any problem, whether we use the T bus, the T subway, or the commuter rail, getting to work on time every single day. Last time there was an issue that really affected that was the once in a lifetime snows last year.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by Dm84

That said commuter rail to subway adds a significant amount of time to a commute, especially on the way home. It's not surprising to me that poster determined driving would be better.

in 2006 /2007 I was working a few buildings over from south station but commuting in via north station. The orange line subway was so crowded, inconsistent and unreliable that I began a combination of running and walking from south station to north station even in the dead of winter. The great thing about the bitter cold was that it made the sidewalks much less crowded.

[Dm84]

Originally Posted by timberline742

Or you know, you take the T, like everyone in my Boston office, and none of us have any problem, whether we use the T bus, the T subway, or the commuter rail, getting to work on time every single day. Last time there was an issue that really affected that was the once in a lifetime snows last year.

You have never set foot on the T.

[Hockeygirl063]

Originally Posted by timberline742

It's cheap (too cheap, they really underprice themselves)

Efficient (last time I ever had a problem was during a really bad snow last winter)

And you don't need to deal with the expense or hassle of owning a car. I need one now to get to my westborough office, but other than for that, owning a car just stinks all around.

45 minutes-60 minutes in traffic vs 60-75 minutes on the T? That's a no brainer. Most people will take the T to save on money and read. Cars are money pits.

And tomorrow night I'm going to JP to hang out with someone. Should I drive or T? I could go all the way into boston then the arborway or whatever its called and back, or I can walk 10 minutes to Sullivan and get off at Ruggles and walk 5 minutes. T all the way. Less stress, less hassle.

So it is very doable to get around without a car? I absolutely hate driving in traffic and I am sure where I live it is probably not as bad. I had an appointment yesterday left extra early and was still late. I was getting frustrated sitting in traffic, much better to sit back with a good book or listen o music on the i pad, :-) plus less expense of gas maintenance, and insurance which I bet is pretty costly in Boston. My husband rides the bus to work evey day and he loves it. We also have light rail. Both are pretty good