The Most Dangerous Subway in America

Writing by Sam Denby and Tristan Purdy
Editing by Alexander Williard
Animation led by Max Moser
Sound by Graham Haerther
Thumbnail by Simon Buckmaster

Select visuals courtesy the Boston Globe

References

[nschur]

I've worked in the T tunnels as an engineer during many of those shutdowns mentioned in the video. It's honestly incredible being down there, almost like walking through a time capsule. You can see the difference in construction practices between the decades as you pass through different parts of the tunnels, but what you said in the video about willpower is most apparent. These pioneers of the American subway system just wanted a better way to get around than the busy and filthy surface level streets of the time. We need to attack this problem with the same willpower of the past. Thank you for bringing attention to this issue.

[staycgirlsitsgoingdown]

Fun fact! The green line extension, which cost 2 billion $ and is less than 2 years old, had to shut down because the rails were installed too wide and rather than fix it right when they found out about the issue (a year before it opened), the T decided to ignore the problem for 2 years until trains were being slowed to under 3mph to stop trains from completely going off the tracks

[michaelmann]

As a former MIT student and Boston resident, this saddens me. I have fond memories of riding the T all over the place, and being able to explore the Boston area without a car (as I was not licensed to drive). The T was one of those things that really made me thankful to be attending college in Boston. I certainly hope these problems can be sorted out. That subway system is a piece of American history, and it can not be allowed to just go away.

[jasonevers]

I work at an indie theatre in Boston. Annually, there's a production of a musical about how bad the MBTA is. It follows three people just trying to get home on the train, but the T's management conspires to ruin their commutes home. This is how bad the subway is in Boston.

[vlogbrotherdave]

As a Boston area lifelong resident, thanks for highlighting this! One point you didn't touch on that I was hoping you'd discuss was the debt the MBTA was forced to take on from the Big Dig.

[jaycie]

Just a quick note from another Bostonian, The MBTA being a useful and reliable means of transit isn't something from our grandparents childhood. It was the 2000's. The T has driven off a cliff over the last 10 years, before that I could on getting all over the place in quick order.

[Rdhawk]

15:54 important thing to note. People make such a big deal about "revenue shortfalls" for operating a transit system. yet roads by and large make approximately.... 0% of their costs both construction and operating. yet no one says we shouldn't build more roads, increase funding for it or can't find the funding for repairs

[Broaclese]

I was a NYC dockbuilder when they were doing the big dig in Boston. Some of the boys were sent up there to help with the tunneling. They were a bit shocked by the methods used to hang massive cement slabs on the ceiling. Holes were drilled into the roof slab and pins were glued in place. Slabs of precast cement were then hung from the pins. Meaning, the only thing holding these very heavy sections up was glue. This was very different from how it was usually done. The glue was 2 part and had a complex mixing nozzle that combined the glue and hardener as it was dispensed. None of them were sold this method's functionality and they advised anyone who would listen against using the tunnel. Within a couple of years, the slabs began to fall and people lost their lives...

[daviiiid.r]

I speak for all people from Worcester: nothing is quite possibly as bad as being stranded in Worcester for 2 hours because you missed your train

[bookcat]

I was in Boston with no car for two years in grad school. It very much seemed like there were two Bostons, layered on top of each other and yet largely isolated from each other. If you didn’t have a car you lived a certain way and went certain places on a certain schedule. People with cars often couldn’t or wouldn’t be there because there was no parking and/or the timing wasn’t synced with the commuter rail where they might leave their car. Meanwhile people with cars lived a certain way and went certain places on a certain schedule - and without a car you either couldn’t join them at all, or the timing didn’t work with the T’s schedule/reliability. Some employers had a rule that employees had to be let off at the end of the day before the T closed. Others had parking lots. Rarely did anyone have both.

[lmnop]

I lived in Boston in 2017 and did not have, nor could afford to get a car. The MBTA was my only option to get to work from the lower income suburbs I was staying in. My commute took 2 hours one way, which means I was absolutely exhausted by the time I got home, and still had to make lesson plans and cook, etc. I took the Orange, Red, and Green Lines primarily. I was increasingly frustrated by the slowdowns, the closed stations, and the trains that were so packed, I had to wait for a couple to go by before finally being able to fit onto one.

Boston has the bones for a more robust transit system. I really hope they figure it out because it could be a game changer for not just low income people like myself, but for everyone.

[rraawk]

“increased physical mobility leads to increased economic mobility.” i love this, and yes it’s so true!! how can people access different rungs of work and society if they literally can’t even get there? thank you for lifting that up.

[benoftheweek]

the real most dangerous subway is the chain that has yoga mat plastic in their bread and 0 tuna in their tuna subs

[mollyroughan]

As a Bostonian who takes the T almost every day, yes, it is seriously in bad shape, although extremely necessary for Boston citizens!

[soloheroina]

6:30 I was the one who called 911 on April 10th, when the train doors on broadway malfunctioned and clamped shut on a mans arm and started to move. to my knowledge I was the only one who actually saw him. I was trying to help him since the doors typically always open.
I still have nightmares about it. Have spent an ungodly amount of money on ubers.

[Godisangry]

I live in Southcoast Massachusetts and the only reason I make the drive to Braintree to take the T is because driving into Boston is a nightmare. I have a commuter rail station very close to me but its schedule usually doesn't line up for when i'd need to take it. Generally, I just try to avoid going to Boston.

[MyLinguine]

It’s shocking to see such a critical piece of infrastructure suffer so much neglect for so long

[QemeH]

Calling Boston "almost european" is both the greatest insult and the greatest compliment you can give a city in the US on it's transportation network and city design - it's the recipient who chooses...

[cre-k-ive]

I'm from Boston and extremely passionate about public transportation. This is the video I wish I had the time and skill to make. Great job!!

I remember when a lot of the MBTA horrors happened. From burning trains to the dragging death to brake failures, safety always comes last. On top of that, riders have no say in the system, which has made people feel hopeless, distrustful, and angry. I hope the city I love can someday have the safe and accessible transportation we deserve.

[lily-ifeg]

“most dangerous train in america” *thumbnail being the train i take everyday for work*