MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) discussion

[coldan]

Well the alternative would be to cancel the contract and start over, meaning the Red Line fleet which, except for the newer 1800 Bombardier cars, is well beyond its service life and is being held together with duct tape and chewing gum, would have to soldier on for many more years while a new supplier was signed and new cars produced.

I think it is a BRIBE to CRRC to get them to complete the contract they signed up for. at the Board meeting, CRRC reps spoke in Chinese with an interpreter. one of the things at was mentioned was that they have problems with some of their subcontractors and wanted the MBTA to help them with this

 

[JamesWhitcombRiley]

Alstom likes to buy companies like that.

 

[Caesar La Rock]

From the MBTA board meeting on the 25th, which you can read the details from this link. This got a lot of attention.

https://www.mbta.com/events/2024-04-25/board-meeting-mbta-board-directors

 

[MARC Rider]

"Decarbonized" service? They just can't say they're going to run electric trains? And it's not "decarbonized" if the electricity comes from burning coal or natural gas.

 

[NES28]

Any more details on proposed 30 minute service on Framingham/Worcester line?

 

[Caesar La Rock]

"Decarbonized" service? They just can't say they're going to run electric trains? And it's not "decarbonized" if the electricity comes from burning coal or natural gas.

Going Green and Decarbonized is the trendy corporate verbiage for the decade lol. I can only imagine what it'll be in the next decade.

 

[BlackDiamond]

"Decarbonized" service? They just can't say they're going to run electric trains? And it's not "decarbonized" if the electricity comes from burning coal or natural gas.

I suppose burning fossil fuels in a power plant is more efficient than in the prime mover of a locomotive. But it is mostly the trendy way to present it as @Caesar La Rock noted above.

To me the other advantages of electrification matter more - better acceleration, no Diesel fumes.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Just had a successful jaunt on the T yesterday from the airport to the North End and back (work trip with extra time) - no snafu's like last time and went to new stations. However, the Green Line trains are really looking ratty, tired and, compared the rest of the world, majorly dated. That said, the system was cleaner and felt safer than some other major city systems (ahem, looking at YOU cta....)..

 

[Brian Battuello]

Just had a successful jaunt on the T yesterday from the airport to the North End and back

Wow! Surprised your picture wasn’t on the cover of the Globe this morning.

 

[BlackDiamond]

However, the Green Line trains are really looking ratty, tired and, compared the rest of the world, majorly dated.

If you think the Green Line trains are ratty and tired, check out the Red Line, it makes the Green Line look great by comparison.

They seem to be making good progress on eliminating the slow zones, I believe the Blue Line is now slow zone free.

 

[joelkfla]

If you think the Green Line trains are ratty and tired, check out the Red Line, it makes the Green Line look great by comparison.

They seem to be making good progress on eliminating the slow zones, I believe the Blue Line is now slow zone free.

Yes, I the Blue Line slow zones were all eliminated last month, and Red Line slow zones in the downtown core area were just recently resolved. People are saying, "Wow, the subways are actually moving like subways should."

 

[Michael Wells]

I suppose burning fossil fuels in a power plant is more efficient than in the prime mover of a locomotive. But it is mostly the trendy way to present it as @Caesar La Rock noted above.

To me the other advantages of electrification matter more - better acceleration, no Diesel fumes.

You don't need to run electric Locomotives for "decarbonization", FEC is running LPG in diesel freight trains.

 

[jis]

MODERATOR'S NOTE: Please let us switch back to discussing MBTA specific matters and refrain from veering off into discussing general decarbonization issues in this thread. Any further post with general discussion of decarbonization in this thread will be removed. Thank you.

 

[JamesWhitcombRiley]

OK on the topic control, but LPG is a carbon compound.

 

[Fenway]

Finally after 8 years

 

[BlackDiamond]

Finally after 8 years

That is great news. When we were in London in 2022 I found it very convenient on the Underground to be able to pay with a "tappable" credit card, I never needed to get Oyster Cards (Their Charlie Card equivalent). BTW that was my first trip where I never withdrew any GBP, they seem to be close to a cashless society over there. Even for the collection at church they had a card reader.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

That is great news. When we were in London in 2022 I found it very convenient on the Underground to be able to pay with a "tappable" credit card, I never needed to get Oyster Cards (Their Charlie Card equivalent). BTW that was my first trip where I never withdrew any GBP, they seem to be close to a cashless society over there. Even for the collection at church they had a card reader.

Last time I was in the UK (2 years ago) everything was card - even Portugal was pretty much cashless (except for small craft stores - only time I needed cash). Europe is way ahead of us - assuming you consider that ahead - in that regard. I think it's also because of the heavy use of debit cards rather the credit cards there.

 

[Fenway]

That is great news. When we were in London in 2022 I found it very convenient on the Underground to be able to pay with a "tappable" credit card, I never needed to get Oyster Cards (Their Charlie Card equivalent). BTW that was my first trip where I never withdrew any GBP, they seem to be close to a cashless society over there. Even for the collection at church they had a card reader.

The MBTA winds up paying Cubic more than what New York City paid to convert.

This can be traced back to the MBTA giving low bidder Scheidt & Bachmann the original contract 20 years ago.