Orange Line patrols increased

MBTA Transit Police yesterday increased uniformed patrols on Orange Line trains and stations as they searched for a teenager who allegedly stabbed two fellow passengers Wednesday night just before the outbound subway train arrived at Back Bay Station.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority said it also plans to hire 34 transit police officers in the coming months, a move that general manager Daniel A. Grabauskas said had been in the planning for months and was not in direct response to recent acts of violence on the Orange Line.

Orange Line patrols were stepped up after two stabbings in the last three weeks. On Feb. 19, a 17-year-old was stabbed; three arrests were made in connection with that attack.

The second stabbing occurred about 8 p.m. Wednesday, when a group of about eight teenagers boarded an Orange Line train, possibly at the Downtown Crossing station. As the train moved toward Back Bay Station, the group confronted another teenager, who was a passenger, transit police said yesterday.

What began as an argument escalated into a physical attack on the lone teenager, who police said pulled a knife and allegedly stabbed two of his assailants. The suspect was described as between the ages of 15 and 17 and 5 feet 5 inches tall. He was carrying a blue backpack.

Police described the victims as a 19-year-old, who was treated and released, and a 17-year-old, who remains in stable condition at Boston Medical Center. Both are from Jamaica Plain, police said.

Deputy Chief John Martino of the transit police said six uniformed officers will be riding Orange Line trains and checking stations in the evenings. He said an officer was at Back Bay Station Wednesday, but not on the subway platform at the time of the stabbing.

During the last six months, 20 million riders have used the Orange Line, and there were only 15 reported incidents of crimes against the persons, he said.

"The Orange Line is safe," Martino said.

Michael Flanagan, president of the MBTA Police Association, welcomed the plan to hire 34 officers but said more officers are needed.

"I think we've been fortunate," Flanagan said. "We don't have the bodies to be as proactive as we need to be."

Lee Matseuda of the T Riders Union, a regular Orange Line rider, said there do not appear to be excessive security issues.

"We don't have any particular problem with the Orange Line, more than any other" MBTA service, he said.

While acknowledging that it is not a direct responsibility of the MBTA to combat violence away from its mass transit lines, Matseuda said a better solution to violence on the Orange Line is increased antiviolence education for teenagers.

"They are spending taxpayer dollars, and I think, for riders, more cops doesn't mean more safety, necessarily," said Matseuda. "We don't see the answer being more cops, but more programming."

John Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com.