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July 01, 2004
Dear valued MBTA customers,
We are writing to inform you that as of 1 July 2004, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority is establishing a new category of transportation pass called the P-10. This pass will be issued in light of community concerns that some customers do not have the faculties needed to use our services safely and effectively before the hour of 10:00am. Your safety and comfort is our number-one priority here at the T, and a policy is in place to ensure that only those who are mentally and physically alert during the morning hours will have access to the P-10 pass.
All MBTA customers who wish to obtain a P-10 pass must come to one of our area administrative offices between the hours of 9:30am-3pm M-F (office closed between 12-1) to take a short exam demonstrating their understanding of the following information. The use of this letter or other study aids will not be permitted. We are confident that those passengers with competency in this knowledge base will pose no hazard or embarrassment to the greater Boston community.
1) While not available in all metro-Boston neighborhoods, the subway (red, green, blue and orange lines) is the fastest and most efficient service of the T. If after, for example, 6+ years of experience with its use, you know unequivocally that the subway will take you directly from where you are to where you want to be, we strongly advise its use over all other modes of transportation.
2) If, after running a morning errand, you are standing within steps of your intended subway station entry point, and an MBTA bus stops at the street corner in front of you, it is not advisable to board. This is true even if the bus's marquee indicates your intended destination. See #1.
3) If you do happen to board the bus, ALWAYS ask the driver whether the bus is, in fact, going to your intended destination. There is an occasional possibility of marquee malfunction, and verbal confirmation is recommended. This is particularly true if after, for example, 6+ years of T riding, you have never known a bus route to go from where you are to where you are going.
4) In the case of marquee malfunction, MBTA bus operators are required to announce the bus number and final destination at each stop. When the driver makes this announcement at the stop just after you have boarded, and the announced destination is nowhere near where you want to go, disembark immediately.
5) If you are unsure as to whether you should disembark, ask the driver directly where the bus is in fact going. Remaining in your seat in silent confusion is not suggested.
6) Be sure to stay informed of all planned MBTA renovations and closures, which are prominently displayed for the public at all MBTA stations. Even if the actual final destination of the bus did at one point connect with a subway line, that line may be closed and replaced with shuttle buses. Also note that the route of these shuttle buses may have a terminus that does not correspond to your desired transfer point.
7) It may be advisable to disembark from the shuttle bus before its terminus, as you may be able to walk more quickly to another subway station from a point along the shuttle route. If you do this, be sure that your walking route to the subway does not take you through unpaved construction zones and industrial parks.
8) If it is now 5 minutes before your work start time, and you are not dressed in appropriate attire because you originally built in plenty of time to return home to change, do not stop for an iced coffee.
9) When you call the office to tell them you will be late, do not reveal the actual details of why this is the case. Do not furthermore indicate that you are not to be trusted with anything, ever, before 10:00am.
Please review the above information several times before visiting the MBTA office to obtain your P-10 pass. We do apologize for the inconvenience, but we know that the P-10 pass will make your commute safer and more pleasant.
Thank you for your cooperation, and thank you for riding the T.
Posted by The Twins at July 1, 2004 11:25 AM
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Tracked on July 1, 2004 08:21 PM