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MBTA to remind passengers not to throw trash on the tracks
By adamg on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 10:39am
Sad but true: After last week's Orange Line fire, caused by somebody throwing trash on the third rail (not to be confused with the simultaneous Red Line fire caused by old wiring), the MBTA plans a public-education campaign to get people to use trash receptacles instead of the tracks.
Boston Commissioner Roderick Fraser will record one of those public-service announcements today at the T's subway command center, reminding people that the T put those trash and recycling bins in stations for a reason. In addition:
While MBTA train crews are already required to report trash build-up along the tracks, the MBTA is issuing a reminder to all subway employees about the importance of notifying dispatchers so that a clean-up crew will be deployed. The MBTA is also tightening the protocols for trash pick-up by the MBTA track inspectors who work the overnight shifts while trains are not operating.
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Comments
I've never seen a recycling
I've never seen a recycling bin that wasn't just for Metros in a subway station. People put trash and other recyclables in them anyway, and didn't you guys post an article about how the crews just put the recycling in the trash anyway?
Littering is a competitive
Littering is a competitive sport in this city. Until that changes expect the garbargeques to continue on the MBTA
Probably not as vital to public safety, but...
Could they get people to stop hawking loogies on the track as well? Boston appears to have the greatest number of loogie hawkers I've ever seen in any place I've lived. I'm very easily skeeved by loogie hawking.
When did compulsive spitting become cool?
It's probably the most disgusting and classless thing I've ever seen, and there have been times where I've walked the length of an Orange Line platform only to see a constant array of spit puddles the whole way to the stairs.
I feel like in the case of
I feel like in the case of both spitwads and trash, the folks who are donating the offending projectiles are not going to be paying attention to PSAs.
What's so gross about people
What's so gross about people spitting onto train tracks? Considering some of the nasty loogs I've seen on the sidewalk, I'm just thankful they're considerate enough to do it somewhere that's not going to end up on my shoes.
Spitting increased when smoking decreased
I think that the uptick in spitting coincided with the smoking ban, as lots of people (particularly youngish males) switched over to chewing tobacco. While the spitting is unpleasant, I think that the carrying around of a spit-filled (open) snapple bottle on the T is far more repulsive than spitting on the tracks, but that's just me.
What?
I have never seen anyone do this in Boston, and I take the T all the time.
I have only seen it once, ever, and that was in South Carolina. It was so bizarre to me that it took a long time to figure out what was going on.
... so I think I'd notice :)
The Boston.com article went on to say
"...the T's power department, which oversees the electrical wiring throughout the system, is to map out a plan to replace the most derelict electrical systems with materials that generate far less smoke should future incidents occur."
Generate far less smoke?!? How about just putting in wiring, transformers, and switches that are unlikely to catch fire in the first place?
Thanks for adding that
I got so excited about people getting reminded not to throw entire loads of Metros on the tracks I didn't get to the second page of the press release.
That's too awesome
I look forward to the eventual replacement of the Orange Line cars. A T spokesman said the new cars will "often have working brakes". Not to mention the renovated stairwell at Park Street, which "rarely explodes".
I've always wondered why
I've always wondered why there is no trash barrel at the Orange Line entrance/exit of the Red Line outbound platform running Ashmont/Braintree trains at Downtown Crossing, but there is one on the corresponding inbound platform running trains to Alewife. As a result, all the little darlings coming off the Orange Line to wait for the Ashmont/Braintree train would rather throw their trash on the tracks than walk HALFWAY down the platform to the nearest trash barrel. I have seen some of them show some initiative to take the cover off the Metro recycling bin and put their trash in the closest thing that looks like a trash bag, but most of the time, the Wendy's and McDonald's bags wind up on the tracks, or the stairs leading up to the concourse. I guess the T doesn't want to move one of those heavy marble chairs near the entrance to make way for a trash barrel at this very busy point?
The MBTA spent lots of money
The MBTA spent lots of money on bomb resistant trash barrels following 9/11 to allow them to be installed in critical areas without presenting a hazard. Problem is the barrels weigh a bloody ton and employees don't like moving them more than they have to. The end result is a lack of barrels at key places, often with the excuse of security, even though the special barrels were ordered with that security in mind!
Other transit systems (and
Other transit systems (and the Metro newspaper) figured out that a clear, see through plastic bag is just as safe but 100x cheaper
Hire Mike Dukakis
Hire Mike Dukakis onto the overnight track maintenance shift. The job will combine two of his favorite activities: supporting public transportation and picking up trash. The entire system will be clean as a whistle within days :-)
What CAN'T Mike Dukakis do?
What CAN'T Mike Dukakis do?
As seen on TV
He can't look good in a tank top.
Get it? huh? IN a tank.. top...