As a loyal T rider and blogger on Boston transportation, you can imagine I have been following the recent series of events surrounding the proposed MBTA fare hikes and ultimate ouster of MBTA General Manager Dan Grabauskas. It has definitely been quite a wild ride and I had meant to get a few posts out urging action to halt a fare raise. The good news is that the fare hike has been delayed pending a full review of MBTA finances. The bad news is that the sorry state of affairs and structural budget problems the T faces may not be so easily overcome.
I certainly have conflicting opinions over a number of the things that have happened and I don't think it's right to jump to conclusions. It doesn't seem like Grabauskas was an especially daring or effective GM for the T over the last 4 years. That said, it seems ridiculous that Patrick and Aloisi felt the need to oust him 9 months before the end of his contract with a $300,000 plus buyout. In general, I think that Patrick brings a lot of good ideas to the table but his political abilities are more than suspect and he ends up angering a lot of people trying to get his way. I was in favor of his proposals to put tolls on 93 and raise the gas tax to help the T get out of its financial mess. It was good to see transportation reform get passed but I worry about the independence and prevalence of the T being upheld as part of a government office that includes roads and bridges. It seems like there is limitless political capital to protect cheap roads but almost none to implement a fully forward thinking comprehensive regional transit plan that places a premium on improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and improved mobility for all citizens.
This being said, it was one of my biggest fears that a large (20%) fare hike would be rushed through that would dramatically reduce people's ability or interest in riding public transit to get where they need to go. Unless the costs are kept on par or below driving costs, it's going to be hard to get the majority of residents out of their cars. The fare increase would have pushed my monthly pass to $254 from the current $223. That is a significant amount and I could save a lot of money by driving to and from work every day alone. I would probably still ride the train, but can we say that's true for most people? Clearly there are no easy choices and a lot of the MBTA system is underutilized and expensive to maintain, but can't we do more to improve access and affordability as a long term solution to our region's transit needs rather than quickly raising fares? I think there are a number of strategies that could further strengthen the public transit culture in Massachusetts and make it easier for residents to get around sustainably.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Mamma Maria
Mamma Maria - 3 North Square (North End, Haymarket)
Another restaurant that had comely highly recommended, this time from my brother. Taking advantage of the second to last evening of Restaurant Week, I got reservations for four so Ann and I went with my long time friend Freddy and his girlfriend, Jess.
Let's just say Mamma Maria did not disappoint. To start with, the setting is about as picturesque and romantic as you can get in the North End. Next door to Paul Revere's house (not covered in tourists in the evening), North Sq is one of the few places in the North End where you can find some open space and nice views. The restaurant itself takes up an entire rowhouse and is beautifully decorated. It feels like you're eating in someone's home, yet is elegantly decorated enough to make it a special night out. There even private dining rooms available if you are so inclined.
The Restaurant Week menu was one of the more extensive I've seen with about half of the regular items available at the prix fixe price. There was a lot of back and forth about what each of us wanted to order. In the end, I chose the Oysters for my Primi, Bolognese as my Principali, and Mixed Berries for Dolci. Everything was incredible! The Oysters were cooked with an herb and butter sauce that made them irrestible. The Bolognese was rather simple, just a thick meat sauce mixed with tube pasta, but it was the perfect consistency and the flavor of the meats really shown through. Everyone else really enjoyed their meal and it was certainly another successful Restaurant Week experience!
Another restaurant that had comely highly recommended, this time from my brother. Taking advantage of the second to last evening of Restaurant Week, I got reservations for four so Ann and I went with my long time friend Freddy and his girlfriend, Jess.
Let's just say Mamma Maria did not disappoint. To start with, the setting is about as picturesque and romantic as you can get in the North End. Next door to Paul Revere's house (not covered in tourists in the evening), North Sq is one of the few places in the North End where you can find some open space and nice views. The restaurant itself takes up an entire rowhouse and is beautifully decorated. It feels like you're eating in someone's home, yet is elegantly decorated enough to make it a special night out. There even private dining rooms available if you are so inclined.
The Restaurant Week menu was one of the more extensive I've seen with about half of the regular items available at the prix fixe price. There was a lot of back and forth about what each of us wanted to order. In the end, I chose the Oysters for my Primi, Bolognese as my Principali, and Mixed Berries for Dolci. Everything was incredible! The Oysters were cooked with an herb and butter sauce that made them irrestible. The Bolognese was rather simple, just a thick meat sauce mixed with tube pasta, but it was the perfect consistency and the flavor of the meats really shown through. Everyone else really enjoyed their meal and it was certainly another successful Restaurant Week experience!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Commuter Rail Wifi
I really need to do a better job posting regularly!
In any event, I just wanted to make a quick post about the state of wifi on the MBTA commuter rail trains. I can't speak for the whole system, but at least on the Fitchburg line it has been fully implemented for some time now and is working great! I am actually making this post while riding the train home from work right now. It used to have issues with service disruptions through some parts of the route, but it seems like a lot of that has been improved. Just another reason to ride the train!
In any event, I just wanted to make a quick post about the state of wifi on the MBTA commuter rail trains. I can't speak for the whole system, but at least on the Fitchburg line it has been fully implemented for some time now and is working great! I am actually making this post while riding the train home from work right now. It used to have issues with service disruptions through some parts of the route, but it seems like a lot of that has been improved. Just another reason to ride the train!
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