Why does the MBTA X? Shameful shorts series #12

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opened 2026-04-16 20:21:09 +00:00 by maxtkc · 0 comments

maxtkc commented

2026-04-16 20:21:09 +00:00

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We could answer/pose solutions to some questions about why the MBTA does questionable things in short form.

For example:

Why does the Green Line run so spaced out?
- Text: It's a trolley, right?
  - B-Roll of trolleys in other places running properly
- Text: Well, I'm sure it would be impossible to do in Boston
  - B-Roll of Green Line stacked in a platform
- Text: Ok, but it's probably unsafe!
  - Show newspaper headlines of the last crash
  - Show statistics of basically zero deaths
- Text: Yeah, but the FRA probably bans it
  - Maybe show another city that does it?
- Then move to "what can we do about it"
  - Show example emails like they are newspaper headlines
- First comment is phil angs email
Why is the MBTA buying battery powered regional trains?
- Show the economics of it
Why are the MBTA passes so expensive?
- Show how far you can go with the same prices in other countries
- Subquestion: Why do the passes all end at the end of the month???
Why do we "need" fare gates for the commuter rail?
- We don't have proof of payment, but we could

More generally

short form
instagram/linkedin/facebook/website
somewhat formulaic and just copy some standard formats, but with interesting content
always actionable (send a bunch of super tiny emails "I support proof of payment on the commuter rail. EOM"

We could answer/pose solutions to some questions about why the MBTA does questionable things in short form. For example: - Why does the Green Line run so spaced out? - Text: It's a trolley, right? - B-Roll of trolleys in other places running properly - Text: Well, I'm sure it would be impossible to do in Boston - B-Roll of Green Line stacked in a platform - Text: Ok, but it's probably unsafe! - Show newspaper headlines of the last crash - Show statistics of basically zero deaths - Text: Yeah, but the FRA probably bans it - Maybe show another city that does it? - Then move to "what can we do about it" - Show example emails like they are newspaper headlines - First comment is phil angs email - Why is the MBTA buying battery powered regional trains? - Show the economics of it - Why are the MBTA passes so expensive? - Show how far you can go with the same prices in other countries - Subquestion: Why do the passes all end at the end of the month??? - Why do we "need" fare gates for the commuter rail? - We don't have proof of payment, but we *could* More generally - short form - instagram/linkedin/facebook/website - somewhat formulaic and just copy some standard formats, but with interesting content - always actionable (send a bunch of super tiny emails "I support proof of payment on the commuter rail. EOM"