The MBTA

Boston's subway system, the MBTA, or the T for short, is upgrading the interior of their trains. The benches in the trains are currently covered with a black leather type fabric. This fabric is easily torn and subject to graffiti. Well, the new fabric is a multi-colored fabric, that should deter graffiti. The wool like fabric has metal woven into it, to stop it from being torn. Also, the T has added graffiti proof maps. The maps used to just show the line of the system you are on. With the new maps one will be able to see the whole transit system. The T has also installed grab handles. These are supposed to allow shorter people, who can not reach the top bar, something to hold on to.

While I think that these additions to the current trains will be great, apparently there is only one train with the new accommodations, and I rode on it, I think it would be advantageous of the T to fix some of the problems that riders complain about. Riders complain that the trains stop between station and have to wait due to "signal problems". If one is planning on taking a bus after a train ride this can be very problematic. Also, there are not always enough trains running, or they are running late. These are things that riders would rather see fixed.

In conclusion, the T is making an effort to better riders experience, but until they address the issues that riders feel are the most important, the "pretty' trains are not going to make many people happy.