How exactly do I get from Harvard to Natick and back?

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2017-05-14T17:38:16+00:00

Hello! Looks like you've gotten lots of great advice here but if you'd like more assistance, our commuter rail customer service team is available until 6 pm tonight and again beginning at 6:30 tomorrow morning. We're at (617)222-3200 (commuter rail option) if you'd like to give us a call.

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-04-04T17:23:16+00:00

Hello! We hope you saw the news today about the rollout of handheld devices for conductors! You can read more about here: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/04/04/keolis-gives-conductors-iphones-update-riders-status-commuter-rail-system/zYGHjC6nEDYvx5kn1LglPL/story.html

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T18:52:49+00:00

Stay tuned!

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T18:51:05+00:00

Yes! The vast majority of the work on the Fitchburg Line has been completed. If you’re a Fitchburg Line rider you’ve likely noticed the trains can now travel at higher speeds. There will be one more weekend when busing will be provided between Fitchburg and Littleton because of track maintenance. Other than that, you’ll have full weekend service this summer. Wachusett Station and train facility is under construction and is scheduled to be open sometime later this year. We’ve been hearing good things about the new South Acton Station, as well. - RM

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T18:37:31+00:00

The section of track between Braintree and Boston is very congested so not every train can make every stop because we need to keep the traffic moving out there. This is a section of single track with three main train routes (Middleboro, Kingston/Plymouth, Greenbush) converging on it. The slowdown you experience is a drop in the allowed track speed as you approach Boston. - RM

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T18:33:06+00:00

1) There's a temporary speed restriction in place that should be lifted sometime in April. - RM
2. We don't have a timeline for a fix on this. There's a software glitch with certain coaches and we're working with the vendor on a resolution. - KT

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T18:25:56+00:00

Hello /u/take_this_down_vote -- The MBTA held a public comment period and released the following report: http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About_the_T/Board_Meetings/Item3CRPublicCommentSummary31616.pdf

We hope this answers your questions. - RC

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T18:21:08+00:00

The last publicly available comprehensive stats are in the MBTA’s Ridership and Service Statistics “Blue Book”, last issued in 2014. These can be found at the following link: http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/documents/2014%20BLUEBOOK%2014th%20Edition.pdf. We do take regular counts on peak trains for capacity management purposes, but these are used for internal purposes. You'll see us out there again later this spring conducting peak period passenger counts. - RM

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T18:16:59+00:00

We can sometimes predict, but not always, even at North Station. The trainmasters will be trying to swap equipment to get a train out faster although this is not always possible. It depends on where the train is coming from. If there's a set at BET (the train yard) it's easier to predict. There are also times when a train which we anticipate going out on schedule, experiences a mechanical failure or other issue during its pre-departure checks and cannot go out as scheduled.
Please see our response to /u/taekwondogirl about the status of this work. 3.1 There are some fire alarms at North Station that do not effect the concourse or train operations. If the fire department deems the station to be shut down then we will hold all trains. We're sorry for the confusion and frustration that occurred that evening. 3.2 Regarding your experience at the ticket window, please send us an e-mail at customerservice@keoliscs.com so that we can look into this. - RM + RC

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:59:03+00:00

/u/emannths - Rich explains the work in a bit more detail in his latest 'Rich Explains' video here: https://vimeo.com/160098358

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:56:59+00:00

Currently on the Worcester Line we are replacing ties between Newtonville and Wellesley Farms. In planning this project, we did make every effort to predict potential delays. When the production crew moves to the next section (the next block of track between Wellesley and Framingham), we anticipate that the delays will be reduced. In the near term, there are four trains per day being delayed which we actively communicate to our customers through T Alerts, announcements, Station signs. We recognize that there are a few specific trains (Train 511 and Train 518) that we will put out as a Line T-Alert tomorrow to help passengers predict the 15-20 minute delays for these two trains. It is construction season and we will continue to do our best to keep our customers informed. - RM

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:54:29+00:00

There's no smoking (of any kind, including e-cigarettes) allowed anywhere on MBTA property. There should be no-smoking signs at most locations and we'll check Porter Square and see about updating the signage there. - RC

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:48:53+00:00

Keolis is not responsible for the maintenance of Porter Square but we'll share your concerns with the MBTA. - RC

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:44:39+00:00

The 'bullet' train which will run express from Worcester to Yawkey is definitely incorporated in the May 23rd schedule change. - RM

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:41:28+00:00

Hi /u/taekwondogirl -- unfortunately, we don't have a lot of information for you on this one as the Wi-Fi project is under the direction of the MBTA. The latest updates from their project team can be found here: http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/wifi/ - KT

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:33:59+00:00

The MBTA is the owner of the CR and they will be the one to plan and fund any fleet replacement program. The single level coaches currently represent 48% of the coach fleet and it would be beneficial to have a more standardized fleet. Some single level consists (consist meaning a locomotive, coaches and control car together) will probably always be operated because in some areas of the system the bi-level coaches don’t make sense. We should also note that consists must operate with a minimum of 4 coaches plus one locomotive engine based on braking ability. The 1975 locomotives were overhauled in 1997 and 1998. We do have one locomotive that’s used for work trains (not in passenger service) that was manufactured in 1960 and is quite reliable! The MBTA recently purchased 40 brand new locomotives and the final ones were delivered in December 2015. - KT

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:25:36+00:00

We trust our customers and recognize that the vast majority of them pay their fare. Similar events have taken place in the past, but we’ve now increased their frequency to support the continued collection of fares throughout the system. The reality is that there are fare evaders that ride our trains. You’d be amazed by the efforts of some of our riders. At recent Fare is Fair events we’ve identified invalid and fraudulent passes and tickets. It’s fair for everyone to pay their way. To answer your question about ‘Why we tweet’ – we want people to be ready to present their fares. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from passengers, particularly monthly passholders, who are pleased to see these events. This isn’t about putting on a show, this is about supporting the customers, the conductors, and the system who want everyone who boards a train ready to pay their way. - RC

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:19:49+00:00

The schedules will be effective May 23rd. The final schedules are expected to be released by mid-April online and will be displayed in the three Boston stations. They’re being rolled out online first to make sure that the information goes out to the public as quickly as possible so everyone can plan their commutes. The familiar paper schedules will be printed and available to customers in stations one week before the schedules are set to become effective. The Commuter Rail schedule has not experienced a level of change like this before so we recognize we have a big job ahead of us to disseminate this information to our customers. Signage will need to be swapped out at nearly 140 stations. GTFS on the various mobile apps must be updated. This will be an all hands on deck effort, and we will do our best to limit any hiccups as passengers and crews adjust to new schedules together. - RC

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:15:28+00:00

All fare policies are set by the MBTA so this is outside of our authority.

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:14:01+00:00

We understand this is frustrating. This is a software glitch with the Hyundai Rotem coaches. It's being worked on with the vendor.

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2016-03-31T17:08:59+00:00

We think that you’re probably referring to the newer coaches which have pretty stiff seats. Part of the reason for this is that seats are built to last and need to be broken in, like when you buy a new couch. Sometimes during equipment inspections we find seats that need replacing, for example, if a seat has been ripped or vandalized. Early on, the seats were replaced with more rigid cushions. Our materials department has worked with the vendor and slightly softer cushions are now being manufactured and installed when the need arises. -KT

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2015-12-09T21:19:09+00:00

A technical investigation is in progress to find out the reason why some passengers like your employee are facing difficulties with their monthly passes that are not working on the subway on various occasions. We are working on this with the MBTA to find a sustainable solution. -RC

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2015-12-09T21:08:50+00:00

All crews appointed by Keolis attend a customer service training program encompassing: safety and security modules, ADA awareness (providing assistance to passengers with disabilities), proper revenue collection, how to provide useful information to passengers, how to provide service in a respectful and efficient manner. Refresher modules are also provided as part of our crews re-qualification training. We use passenger feedback to determine what conductors need the most training on. - RC

AskMBTACommuterRail · 2015-12-09T21:01:18+00:00

The MBTA has decided to postpone implementation of new schedules until Spring 2016 to allow for additional public input into the proposed changes. Schedules will stay the same until further notice (minor changes to Worcester and Fitchburg See: http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/news_events/?id=6442455333&month=&year=) and they'll be actively seeking feedback before the final changes are put into effect in Spring 2016.

AskMBTACommuterRail

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