Commuter Rail to Kick Even More Ass, Take Names
It already helps make us the (alleged) second greenest city in the U.S. Now it's going to do even more! (But can it julienne?)
Starting this morning, GPS-equipped trains will help provide real-time arrival information on the Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Middleboro/Lakeville Commuter Rail Lines, with other lines to get the same service by mid-February. Another informational initiative will broadcast train arrival information over AM radio, allowing rail riders to stay in their cars until trains are near. Rail radio, as we would call it, will debut in Woburn (yeah!) by the end of January, then be rolled out to other stations with 50+ parking spaces (the AM broadcast will apparently only reach the parking lot).
On another technological front, wireless internet service will be expanded to all lines by the end of the summer, making the MBTA "the only commuter rail operator in the country to offer WiFi service on every passenger coach of every train." Well gee, if only these high-tech services could be added to the actual MBTA.
In spite (or because?) of its fast-pace improvements, the MBTA will begin a procurement process in 2012 to contract a new commuter rail operating service. The current contract with MBCR extends through July 1, 2013.
Filed in News and tagged commuter rail, mbcr, mbta, transportation