Silver Line to get better shelters; seatless Red Line cars get strappier

Big Red: Now 79% more strappy

A $3.4-million stimulus project will mean new glass walls at 14 Silver Line stops along Washington Street in Roxbury and the South End, all the better to retain the heat from the new overhead heaters, not to mention the amount of wind-whipped rain and snow hitting waiting riders.

Part of the money will also go to repair the asphalt in bus lanes and crosswalks along the route, the T says.

Meanwhile, the T says that as a result of a recent online survey, it's added more straps for riders to hang onto as they enjoy the extra non-seat roominess of Big Red cars: Each of the cars now has 50 straps, up from 28 before.