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There are plenty of reasons to feel down about the daily commute on the T. Especially with the impending closing of the Government Center stop for two years beginning on March 22, it may be hard to stay optimistic about the T.
A string of news stories, however, leave ample reason to believe that the T-riding experience of the future may be better than that of the present.
The average commute on the Red Line.
Photo courtesy of PolitenessPts/Twitter
Bill Durkin, a daily commuter, has been handing out “Politness Points” for good deeds done by other passengers since last fall. The cards, which usually surprise the recipient, are small, white and read “One Politeness Point: Thanks for being polite today.” Durkin even runs the Twitter account @PolitenessPts to help encourage the movement.
“At first it took courage to go up and hand someone a business card out of nowhere, but I got over that pretty fast,” Durkin said to Boston Magazine. “People are usually kind of confused and they will just take it, then they took a look at it, and I would say 100 percent every time you see a big grin on someone’s face.”
So, how can Boston College students score a Politeness Point? Helping an elderly person or giving up one's seat are potential reasons to score. Any "unselfish" act, Durkin says, should be rewarded.
In other news, the MBTA’s ongoing budgetary constraints may soon be alleviated by federal funds. President Obama set aside $1.3 billion in the federal budget to aid the Green Line Extension Project.
Anthony Golden/Gavel Media
The project will include six new stations, a maintenance facility, bridge work and other technical improvements in expanding the Green Line to Somerville and Medford stops.
Finally, Boston’s bid for the 2024 Olympics continues to draw speculation. A report released in February by the Special Commission Relative to the Feasibility of Hosting the Summer Olympics in the Commonwealth concluded that Boston “fares relatively well” in the pursuit.
Photo courtesy of Boston 2024 Organizing Committee/Facebook
“It would be feasible to host the 2024 Summer Olympic Games,” the report said. “However, should the region move forward with a bid, it must be noted that it is a monumental task that is not to be taken lightly.”
If Boston were to score the Olympic stage, proponents argue that the associated transportation concerns, including the MBTA, would provide officials the means and time to make much-needed improvements.
Next time you are in despair on the T, try to remember that there are plenty of reasons to have faith in the MBTA…just maybe don’t wear a skirt.
School, major and year: A&S ‘14, Political Science
HometownWestfield, NJ
What makes the Gavel so BANGin’? Awesome people, great content.
You have 24 hours to give prospective students a tour of BC and convince them to enroll. How do you spend the day? Hockey game, tour of campus, meal at Hillside, read The Gavel
If you could go back in time and give yourself a pep talk the night before you moved into BC as a freshman, what is the most important piece of advice that you would give to your former self?No worries, it all works out.
What is your favorite study spot on campus? Out of sheer laziness, my room.
What is your go-to meal at Late Night? Haven’t had a meal plan in a tragically long time.
What is the #1 most played song on your iTunes? "Lonely Boy" by The Black Keys
What is the best Halloween costume that you have ever worn? Sarah Palin, Halloween 2008
If you could only eat at one restaurant for the rest of your life, which would you choose? Chili’s, although I’d probably die of high blood pressure within a matter of days.
If you could befriend the main characters from any TV show or movie, who would you choose and why? Liz Lemon and Jack Donaghy from "30 Rock," because, duh.
