(Jeremy C. Fox for Boston.com)
Do any of these Red Line passengers look like bank robbers to you?
By Jeremy C. Fox, Town Correspondent
[View the story "Bank robbers and angry drivers: this week on the MBTA" on Storify]Bank robbers and angry drivers: this week on the MBTAStorified by Jeremy C. Fox · Fri, Aug 10 2012 12:15:03The first full week of August 2012 will be remembered for many events, Olympic and otherwise, but on the MBTA it will be remembered best as the week a bus driver struck a parking enforcement officer with her bus (whether intentional or not) and then went on to hit several vehicles. Among the dozens of Twitter users who tweeted with the #MBTAannoy hashtag this week, only one mentioned this incident, but he probably spoke for many when he added another hashtag: #NotShocked. #MBTAannoy #NotShocked http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2012/08/09/mbta-bus-and-vehicle-collide-near-kenmore-square-police-warn-traffic-delays/E9o9YKuxK9SOcXnTUbMlLI/story.html @JeremyCFoxKenjimalMBTA passengers have come to expect some surly behavior and the occasionally dangerous operation of transit vehicles. What most don't expect is to find that the vehicle they're using for their commute home from work may be in use by a criminal as a getaway car. Cambridge MA: MBTA Red Line trains being held while CPD searches for a bank robber at Central Sq.SteveWhy would anyone be stupid enough to rob a bank & escape on the Red Line? Everyone knows it will most likely breakdown #mbta #mbtaannoyrev8056Robbing a bank at rush hour should be a capital offense. #mbtaannoyFlannfryBad things happen on the T, but try to look on the bright side, like this rider did with his #MBTAbrag tweet: #MBTABrag RT @attackofthetext "That's what I like about Boston -- no one uses the subway to commit suicide."Niko KotsatosMost days, riders aren't dealing with bank robbers or buses careening into law enforcement officers. The worst they'll have to put up with is a few rude or deeply confused passengers, like those featured in the tweets below.Tourists-when the announcement says 'Train arriving' it means run like hell not slow down and clog up the works. #MBTAannoyLukas AkerleyI am sure everyone on the train loves your music it sounds like loud clicking noises over your IPhone speakers #mbtaannoyrev8056To the man clipping his nails on the SL5: stop. That's foul. #MBTAannoyLBNathanPeople who try to jam in the train before everyone gets off are the worst. Dont worry it won't drive away if you're right there #mbtaannoyMichael DeacetisGotta love Friday commutes on the Orange Line. Yea when people don't take off their bags and whack you with it. #MBTAannoyRob TiongsonBut while many passengers participate in behaviors that seem less than civilized, it's only fair to note that some aren't actually human. Lucky Londoners get cute foxes on their subway. Boston gets rats and the occasional loose snake. #MBTAannoy. http://london-underground.blogspot.com/2012/08/fox-on-tube-tube-photo-of-week.htmlRobert D SullivanA few of your fellow riders, though, can surprise you and do things that seem almost superhuman. Just witnessed no fewer than 7 random acts of mbta kindness AND someone complimented my shoes #mbtabragFlannfryAnd some are just the #cutestever. Guy on the T holding his little doggy. #cutestever #MBTAbragTrisha FortinOf course, taking the MBTA also means dealing with its sometimes frustrating policies.MBTA hikes fairs partially bc of ppl who sneak free rides, yet no bills accepted on the bus so we ride for free? Uh huh... #MBTAannoyCarolyn VallejoWhy Charlie Tix & Cards? My Card expired; none at station. Had to buy a tix $$$. Seems like a scam. #MBTAAnnoy @mbtaGM @RideLikeCharlieDaniella SantosThese people shouldn't be here the T has declared that rush hour doesn't start until 4 #mbtaannoy #mbtagm #mbta http://pic.twitter.com/kLdSWQ3srev8056And some riders feel there's a lack of accountability within the transit authority. #mbtaannoy waited with a group of cust. for a T rep. For 30min. Guy in the glass booth kept playing with phone. Called @mbta-they useless.SweetadelinevtAnyone else noticed @mbtagm is great @ tweeting when "normal service has resumed" but terrible about tweeting when service slows? #MBTAannoyAndy MallonBeyond that are the myriad inconveniences of public transportation. In the summer, one of the foremost issues on many passengers' minds is the heat. @mbtaGM It's extremely hot at Park Street Station. It's muggy & smelly. #MBTAannoySabrinaTheWiseLatinaWhy do #mbta bus drivers think it's ok to drive around with no AC? Even when people say please? #MBTAannoyKate ReynoldsOn the plus side it is not as hot out so lack AC not as bad until we are above ground #mbtaannoy #mbtarev8056For this passenger, the heat was also compounded by other factors. Stroller Utility Vehicle on my foot with baby who needs a diaper change bad works well with no AC I love the Red Line #mbtaannoy #mbtarev8056Even if you do have the benefit of air conditioning, there's still often frustration with the speed of the MBTA's trains and buses. In that there isn't any speed. @mbtaGM This Braintree train is going so slow. 1st it stopped for a long time btwn Central & MGH.Now it's stopped before Park St. #MBTAannoySabrinaTheWiseLatinaWas going to make the 101 on time, then the train stood by at North Station. Shuttle to Malden it is. #MBTAannoy #orangelinewoes #MBTAfailWhitneySlow buses and trains naturally lead to long waits. Hmm...I don't see a bus... #mbtaannoyKenjimalB line in allston at harvard ave backed up #mbtaannoy http://pic.twitter.com/pg02fYlBSweetadelinevtWaiting for RedLine train to fit into for over 1/2 hour then get email alert saying there are 10-15 min residual delays. #fail #MBTAannoyHotties on the TLong waits and slow trains or buses, of course, can both be caused or worsened when one breaks down entirely. What an honor to be on the first disabled train of the day on the Red Line #mbtaannoy #mbta #mbtaannoy #redlinerev8056And even those that move at a reasonable pace can be accompanied by dangerous conditions. .@mbtaGM Bus #2159 is being driven with a broken back door. Not feeling very safe. #mbtaannoyShane DunnAnd some trips are just thrown into utter confusion for both the MBTA workers and its passengers. Thanks #mbta for having a train go express and not give me an option to get off. Really appreciate that one.Shandi Fortunato@shandi0530 Yikes if warning isn't given thats whack! Sorrrrry :-( #MBTAannoyCraig SilvaThis next series demonstrates just about everything that could possibly go wrong in a single commute. @mbtaGM I've been waiting for an inbound train at Harvard 4 more than 1/2 hour. No announcements. Nothing. What's going on? MBTAannoySabrinaTheWiseLatina@mbtaGM Now a train comes and everyone gets on & then off because it's 'out of service' What's going on? I want to get home! #MBTAannoySabrinaTheWiseLatina@mbtaGM It's Monday. Rush hour. I want to get home. Still no announcements. What's going on? #MBTAannoySabrinaTheWiseLatina@mbta_alerts Nope. It's a 45 minute delay so far. #redline #MBTAannoy @mbtaGMSabrinaTheWiseLatinaCanned sardines, I mean humans #redline #MBTAannoy http://pic.twitter.com/aQeA16agSabrinaTheWiseLatinaA T-rider can occasionally feel like the MBTA is just teasing her. Why did a completely empty train just blow through Park Street? At rush hour. With a packed platform. #mbtaannoyAnneBut once in a while, you have a ride that's almost perfect, like Secretary of Transportation Richard A. Davey, this Boston.com reporter, and a couple of other folks did: A nice cold, three car GL train picked me up this am, great job #mbtagm, #mbtabrag. RADMass. TransportationThe #OrangeLine came just as I walked into the station. This car is uncrowded and comfortably cooled. #MBTAbrag http://pic.twitter.com/rOqh3Hu9Jeremy C. FoxGreat conductor on 639 car, 9:15 train from Lowell. Funny, efficient, and patient with an older man. #mbtabragAlyssa BiggsI love a week where my commute is actually going smoothly. And yes I can thank that, knock on wood, to the MBTA! #MBTAbragRob TiongsonJust made the Silver Line 2 in a run like Indiana Jones from Raiders of the Lost Arc off the Red Line. And the bus was still there #MBTAbragRob TiongsonSure, it sometimes seems like the bad rides far outnumber the good, but that's why Bostonians have two hashtags to express their feelings about the MBTA. Don't forget to use #MBTAannoy the next time a bus driver aims right for you, or #MBTAbrag when you make it safely home with your bag full of loot thanks to a speedy Red Line train.
Storified by Jeremy C. Fox · Fri, Aug 10 2012 12:15:03
Email Jeremy C. Fox at jeremycfox@gmail.com. Follow Jeremy C. Fox on Twitter: @jeremycfox. Follow Downtown on Twitter: @YTDowntown.
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