After uproar, state withdraws planned changes for North Station commuter-rail routes for now

"We understand that even small [changes] in long-standing schedules impact the daily lives of our riders."

Cutting service at some stations by 20-40% is not a "small change."

"[W]e need to hear and incorporate their feedback before finalizing schedule changes."

Really, ya think? Maybe you should have done this in the first place! Whoever thought that it would be a good idea to unilaterally make unvetted major changes and that everyone would just say "yeah, okay, whatever" must have been smoking something really strong.

And of course with MassDOT SOP they spend $300k on a schedule change that is spec'ed so badly that it can't even be implemented.

But this whole schedule redo proposal almost sounds like it was intended to fail, as a deliberate prelude to Keolis/MBTA introducing the actual schedule changes. Something along the lines of "Let's propose something so outrageous that's sure to be immediately rejected. Then the schedule changes we actually want to implement are more likely to be accepted with minimal objection."

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if "development of a Plan B" was actually included in HDR's scope of work.

And for those who doubt me, this practice appears to have been chapter and verse every time the T proposes fare increases and/or service cuts.

The MBTA needs to do more than provide reliable Commuter Rail service to our customers

Actually, just being able to provide reliable service would be really quite helpful.

may have dodged a bullet with the new schedules (for now). But that isn't stopping the T from trying to inconvenience them in other ways.

Starting January 2: Green Line and Orange Line Notice: Beginning Saturday, January 2, 2016, North Station's north entrance/exit will be permanently closed.

Due to construction of the Boston Garden Development, the Orange and Green Line's north entrance/exit at North Station will be closed permanently starting Saturday, January 2, 2016. A new underground passageway will be constructed in order to provide customers with a direct connection between the Green Line, Orange Line, and Commuter Rail. The new passageway will open in approximately three years.

To exit and enter North Station, please use the entrance/exit across Causeway Street.

During this time, North Station Elevator 941 will be closed. If exiting, return to the fare lobby to use North Station Elevator 912 (lobby to Causeway Street). If boarding, cross Causeway Street to use North Station Elevator 912 (lobby to street).