A Missed Opportunity

The Herald has its usual trumped-up coverage on all things Turnpike today, including a look at the problems plaguing the overwhelmed South Station commuter rail, which is stuck with delays and broken air conditioning.

For the first time in a while we rode the commuter rail into work today. We were on time, and the A/C was working, but it was very, very crowded. There were about 30 people standing from South Acton to Porter Square, about a 40-minute ride.

Driving around Boston has been difficult lately. Getting from Fitchburg to downtown isn't that bad. But downtown streets are a disaster. Getting out of the North End and onto Storrow Drive has been particularly tricky.

The Turnpike problems create a great opportunity for the T, but so far it has received failing grades. Subway trains are jammed and the commuter rail isn't any better. Throw in the usual uncomfortableness factor and the super-long ride from Fitchburg (remember, the "express" is 1:40), and the commuter rail is not showing itself off to rave reviews this week.

Yeah, yeah, cronic complaints. But here's the thing: Fitchburg is staking a lot of its future on the commuter rail. Just having access and a relatively quick ride isn't enough. The service needs to be comfortable and able to withstand commuting hiccups -- whether it's increased demand from road issues or weather problems (like last winter, when the garage was closed for an FSC event and 18 inches of snow fell). Fitchburg officials, particularly those on Beacon Hill, need to work on making sure that not only is the train faster, but also plainly more attractive to riders. After today's ride (and we'll back on again at least twice in the next two weeks, so expect updates), it's clear there's work to be done.