fun with the mbta

[dsrtao]

The day has turned hot, especially if you're on a bus full of sweaty people who would like to get home. The A/C isn't working, and the windows are closed. Naturally, we try to open them. They're locked.

We ask the driver to unlock them. He says he has no key.

I call MBTA customer service. After about five minutes on hold, I get to voice my complaint. Apparently it is T policy - which I m told, very sternly, Will Not Be Changed, that the windows remain locked. Otherwise, people might put their hands out the window or throw things.

I ask why the driver doesn't have the key. They don't trust the drivers to make decisions like that; besides, there's Policy.

Thanks a lot, T. You don't trust your customers, you don't trust your drivers, and we're welcome to get off the bus if we have a safety concern.

Comments

[dlevey.livejournal.com]

All windows open. Not all of them close again.

[metahacker.livejournal.com]

And sometimes they don't let you off the bus after opening them. Well, not except wearing handcuffs.

MBTA idiocy

[metageek.livejournal.com]

The MBTA seems to be institutionally blind to heat problems. I remember one time at Lechmere, in 100-degree heat, with 50+ people waiting...and not being allowed to get on the trains that were leaving.