Hey, there! Log in / Register
Another week, another MBCR edict to their passengers.
By roadman on Fri, 01/22/2010 - 10:34am
Just got this e-mail from MBCR regarding changes in off-peak boarding of trains.
Customer Service Information
Changes to “Off-Peak” Boarding
Beginning Monday, February 1, 2010, new off peak train boarding and operating procedures will be implemented on all commuter rail lines. From this date forward, no off peak trains will be allowed to depart a station until all exterior doors are fully closed.
To assist with this procedure, we request that all customers use the high-level platform or the outer end of the platform at each station during off peak hours and board into the limited number of open coaches indicated by the train crew. Limiting customer occupancy to fewer cars on off peak trains will assist with the proper collection of revenue, enhance boarding safety and improve on-time performance. Off peak service is displayed in gray on the public schedules.
If you are boarding outbound trains at South and North Station before 4:00PM or after 8:00PM, you will be directed to board at the outer end of the station on the coaches closest to the locomotive.
We are making these changes to off peak boarding procedures in an effort to improve the level of customer safety. Reducing the number of doors in use allows staff to make certain that outer doors are closed prior to departure. This will ensure that we do not compromise the overall on-time performance of your trains.
We would like to take this opportunity to remind customers that they MUST NOT open their own doors or traps and must always board where a conductor is present. The practice of passengers opening their own doors will delay trains as train crews will be required to shut all traps and outside doors before the train can depart the station.
Peak period trains, highlighted in yellow on your schedule, will continue to board as usual so that we can comfortably accommodate the larger number of customers.
We would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation while we improve the level of safety for our customers.
This sounds to me like another lawyer-inspired arbitrary practice that also appears to be a means for MBCR to justify further staff reductions on trains. That havind been said, I can understand the desire to limit the number of cars open to passengers on off-peak trains if you have only one or two crewmembers. However, I question why passngers boarding at North or South Stations have to walk to the far end of the train to board. Why not open the cars closest to the waiting area instead? Oh wait, that would mean invoking COMMON SENSE, a concept which seems to be alien to the MBTA/MBCR.
Topics:
Free tagging:
Ad:
Support Universal Hub
Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) contribution.
Comments
Hah!!
I've been with this company since the beginning, and the only thing they've done that makes sense is.... NOTHING!! It's run by a bunch of lawyers and business people who don't know a train from a triscuit.
just like they put up the
just like they put up the signs a year or two ago for only high-platform boarding, except on certain trains they blow by the platform and scream at you for "not being handicapped" when you have a bike or stroller.
The reason is
They put the engine on the outbound side of the terminals so it's not pumping diesel fumes into the stations.
So if they have passengers board at the far end of the platform, they can just close off the entire rear of the train. Rather than have the engineer and other operating staff at one end and the conductors and passengers all the way at the other.
Please commence snarky retorts... now.
There's that, but there's
There's that, but there's also the fact that the high-access handicapped ramps are on the outbound side of every commuter rail station, as well. So any handicapped passengers will be accommodated in the engine-adjacent car anyway. So since that one has to be open, everyone should be in that car, if possible.
Note that, at a large number of stations with "mini" high level
platforms (like most of those on the Haverhiil line), a five or six car outbound train (which is the norm even during off-peak hours) winds up either blocking an adjacent street or not being able to pull clear of the signal circuit (thus leaving the crossing gates down) because management policy is that the "mini" high level platform accessible car ALWAYS be next to the locomotive.
If the accessible car were on the control car end of the train for outbound moves, instead of next to the locomotive, this problem could be entirely avoided. Plus, the passengers boarding at North or South Stations could directly board rather than having to walk the entire train length. And for those of you who don't consider the latter to be an issue, think about people who are rushing to catch a train because their subway connection was late.
Snarky retort approaching
The location of the locomotive has nothing to do with were you can board. Don't forget while in the locomotive, the engineer isolated from the crew to being with, so they can't 'hang out' together. Besides, the notice says the car near the locomotive irregardless of direction - so on inbound trains, the engineer is the the last passenger car, while we have to board on the other end of the train near the locomotive...
Off-peak trains are always annoying - they jam everyone into one or two cars, even when those cars are packed to standing-room only. I often take an evening inbound train and after collecting tickets our conductor leaves the coach and goes and hangs out with the engineer, so he's not even in our car for safety or questions or any other need.
So boarding near the locomotive all the time only means a long walk for people at N or S station
For the past week, I've been
For the past week, I've been catching the train from Brandeis and despite the signs directing us to the handicap platform, every train that's come in has had conductors hanging out the doors telling us to go board at the other end of the platform. The one time I actually boarded at the official boarding area, I had to open the door myself and a conductor came through later and made me move to a different car.
Less ppl, more safer!
Does this allow them to (further) reduce the crew on off-peak trains? I can imagine that there will only be one conductor per train under these conditions.
Another thought: with the recent no-exiting-through-the-cab announcement, this makes two CYA-safety policy changes in the last couple of weeks. If there was a safety-related lawsuit heading their way, would these "proactive" changes reduce the merits of such a case?
Is it intentional plan of
Is it intentional plan of reducing crew on off-peak trains? I can imagine that there will only be one conductor per train under these conditions.
Another Point itches mind : Passengers to board to the coaches nearer to locomotive as guided by station staffs..will it make sense in case of old people and physically challanged or pregnant ladies.