The MBTA board today approved a $54-million plan to replace the diesel-powered trains on the Fairmount Line with more climate-friendly battery-operated cars within four years, which could mean almost subway-like train frequency - and some relief for Readville residents who live near the yard where diesels now loudly vibrate, hum - and have their horns blared - into the early morning hours. Read more.
Transitadvocate highlights some of the trains on various lines out of South Station that were canceled yesterday because of "crew availability issues." Read more.
Streetsblog Mass gets the scoop that the MBTA and Keolis are going to try to get battery-operated trains running on the Fairmount Line within 3 1/2 years in a pilot aimed at increasing the frequency of trains, shorten trip times and replace some antiquated old diesel-powered trains. Read more.
The MBTA announced today that the Fairmount Line will be free between Oct. 14 and 29, at least to people with CharlieCards - as a possible replacement for the Mattapan Line and Ashmont service on the Red Line, which will be shut then for track repairs. The T will also be running shuttle buses along the Mattapan and Ashmont lines then.
The MBTA announced this morning it's completed its $255-million purchase of the 24-acre Widett Circle to store and maintain trains on South Station routes - both current and planned future routes to Fall River, New Bedford and Pittsfield. Read more.
The MBTA reports a variety of delays on trains out of South Station, but the longest is 30 minutes on the 5:45 train on the Fairmount Line, due to a switch problem.
A fed-up citizen files a 311 complaint about the intractable noise from the train yard in Readville: Read more.
Victim identified as Noel Jimenez, 30, of Hyde Park.
Boston Police report a man in his 30s was shot on Maple Street near the Fairmount commuter-rail stop around 9:50 p.m. Read more.
Transit Police report they are looking for a man they say tried to put on a little show at the Uphams Corner stop on the Fairmount Line around 6 a.m. on Thursday.
If the man in the photo (redacting courtesy TPD) looks familiar, contact detectives at 617-222-1050 or text an anonymous tip to 873873 .
The board that runs the MBTA today approved four extra inbound trains in the morning and four new trains in the evening along the Fairmount Line. Read more.
The Stanford Social Innovation Review reports some findings from the four years of time University of Michigan sociology professor Jeremy Levine spent in Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park looking at the non-train ramifications of the Fairmount Line re-do: Read more.
Around 10:30 a.m. where the Fairmount Line crosses the Neponset River between West Street and Truman Parkway. Read more.
A disgusted citizen files a 311 complaint about the new black splotches on his or her car after driving under the train bridge over East Cottage Street in Dorchester:
There is tar dripping from the bridge. It dropped on my car and ruined the hood and roof.
Workers try to get train back on track as dawn breaks. Photo by Johnmcboston.
The T canceled service on the Fairmount Line this morning after last night's train bumping near South Station. Instead, Fairmount riders were supposed to board substitute buses, only it seems there weren't enough buses to carry all those people. Just ask BostonGal:
Try to board HP train only to get turned away because you imbeciles didn’t add equipment.
State officials say a final round of inspections today cleared the Blue Hill Avenue stop on the Fairmount Line to open to passengers tomorrow.
The station, about a quarter mile north of Mattapan Square, will have Zone 1A fares, which means riders can get into town for $2.25 one way or $84.50 for a monthly pass.
The Globe reports the Senate wants the MBTA to look at electrifying the Providence and Fairmount lines - with the goal of having them run on electricity by 2022.
After not taking Commuter Rail for several weeks, I got a surprise as I had to pass through a gauntlet at South Station on the way to Fairmount early this afternoon. Some Campbell's-kids looking junior T employees confronted every aspiring passenger at the entry to Track 9. They demanded tickets for that specific train. I carped as I had to unburden myself of my Haymarket goodies and coffee to dig into my shirt pocket. The kid blocking me tried to be solemn in saying, "It's in the tariff!" Read more.
MassDOT reports that ridership on the only only-in-Boston commuter rail line increased 25% during the first of two fare-free weeks in May - and 44% the second week - but then dropped back down to normal light levels when the fares came back.
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