In Boston, a delightful change has swept through the subway system. Commuters are now greeted by trains sporting googly eyes, bringing a touch of whimsy to their daily rides.
This fun initiative, centered on just five trains, aims to lighten the mood for passengers and add a playful element to public transport.
Boston Trains Smile with Googly Eye Designs
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), responsible for managing Boston's public transit, embraced the quirky idea after a group of transit enthusiasts suggested it.
Initially, the enthusiasts had left a pack of plastic googly eyes at the MBTA headquarters with a note.
According to AP News, upon seeing the suggestion, MBTA's General Manager and CEO, Phillip Eng, was amused and saw potential in the idea. However, instead of using the actual plastic eyes, which could detach and pose safety risks, the MBTA opted for safer decals that mimic the wobbly-eyed effect.
Currently, these unique decals adorn four trains on the Green Line and one on a commuter rail line. This small number makes spotting these trains a fun challenge, reminiscent of the "Where's Waldo?" game, but with a local Boston twist.
The initiative arrived when the MBTA faced significant scrutiny due to safety concerns and operational issues. By introducing these googly eyes on trains, the agency hopes to ensure safety and inject some joy and humor into the daily commutes of Boston riders.
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New Tunnel Could Transform MBTA
Congressman Seth Moulton, representing Massachusetts' North Shore, is pushing for a major improvement to Boston's public transit system. Moulton has proposed a new rail link that would connect Boston's North and South stations directly.
This project aims to modernize the MBTA Commuter Rail and potentially increase its ridership by millions.
Currently, trains have to stop and turn around between these two key stations, a time-consuming process. The proposed tunnel would allow trains to run straight through, making the system more efficient and faster.
A study from the Harvard Kennedy School estimates the cost of this new tunnel at $7.9 billion and predicts it could attract an additional 86 million riders, NBC Boston stated.
Moulton highlighted that similar projects in cities like Los Angeles have been less costly than anticipated, suggesting that Boston might also be able to manage expenses effectively.
"It goes under the Big Dig, under the Blue Line, the Red Line, it just goes under everything in the city," Moulton explained as per the report, underscoring the project's ambitious scope.
The Congressman also noted that half of the funding needed for this project could come from the already allocated $4 billion for the expansion of South Station, with the remaining costs potentially covered by the revenue generated from the increased ridership.
However, not everyone agrees with this optimistic view.
In a recent op-ed in the Boston Globe, Rep. William Straus, Chair of the Massachusetts House Joint Committee on Transportation, expressed concerns about the project's cost and the extensive construction it would entail.
Straus advocates for prioritizing other projects, like the expansion of South Station itself.
Despite the disagreements, Moulton remains hopeful, believing that this generation has the opportunity to achieve a significant upgrade to Boston's transit infrastructure.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
