As a savvy Boston commuter I knew the wise move this morning was to check the MBTA website for delays before figuring out the best way to get into work. I first checked my normal commute, which is the D train of the Green Line, and found a 15-20 minute delay. Once again being a savvy Boston commuter I knew that there is no way that the D line was only 15-20 delayed during the morning rush and expected it to be much worse than that so I searched for an alternative. I then checked the Commuter Rail. Now, I don't usually take the Commuter Rail because it is more expensive and usually out of my way, but since I spent the night at the lady-friend's apt last night it was within walking distance and I was in a good mood so I was willing to shell out the extra dough. Upon checking the MBTA website for alerts on the Commuter Rail I was pleased to find nothing. This means that as far as I could tell the Commuter Rail was running on schedule.
I went to the station 10 minutes before the scheduled arrival of the train that would get me to work on time. There is a message board at the platform that indicates if there are any delays. The message board repeated the same message over and over: "Welcome to the Commuter Rail". This was another indication that as far as the MBTA was concerned the trains were running on time, otherwise they would flash a quick update saying something like "The commuter Rail is experiencing some minor delays" or some such. A crowd was forming of what seemed to me to be the usual crowd. People had their coffees in hand and were reading the paper. Everyone looking very relaxed and confident that the train would arrive on time. Well, the time came and went when the train was supposed to arrive and those same people started to look around at each other and a few broke out their smartphones, I assume to check the MBTA alerts. Everyone was mingling around and it was about 5 minutes after our train should have arrived when a message flashed across the board: "The next train to Boston will arrive in 25 minutes". About 15 minutes into that wait time a train appeared. It rolled up, stopped and the MBTA workers came to the doors but didn't let the stairs down. A person who was closer than I asked what the deal was. Apparently the train was an express and was not supposed to stop here and even if we were allowed on there was nowhere to sit. The MBTA worker said that our train was four minutes behind...
Several minutes later another train did show up and we were allowed on. I got to work and hour and a half late after waking up early to check my commute and attempt to alter it to make sure I was there on time.
The only redemption was that I was not charged for the 15 minute ride into town.
Thanks MBTA.
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