Some Boston subway trains are now sporting googly eyes – WJXT News4JAX
WEATHER ALERT
Steve Leblanc
Associated Press
Published:
Steve Leblanc
Associated Press
In this undated photo released by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, MBTA, a subway car dons googly eyes under its front windshield in Boston. (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority via AP)
BOSTON – Subway riders in Boston are playing their own game of “Where’s Waldo?” But instead of searching for a cartoon character with a red and white striped top, they’re on the lookout for subway trains with googly eye decals attached to the front.
The head of transit service said the whimsical decals are attached to a handful of trains and meant to bring a smile to riders’ faces.
Recommended Videos
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said a small group of what he described as transit enthusiasts approached the agency with the unusual request to install the eyes on trains. The group even dropped off a package of plastic googly eyes at the MBTA’s headquarters in Boston.
“When I saw it it made me laugh,” Eng said. “I thought we could do something like that to have some fun.”
The MBTA, which oversees the nation’s oldest subway system as well as commuter rail, bus and ferry service, has come under intense scrutiny in recent years for a series of safety issues that led to a federal review and orders to fix the problem.
It has also been plagued by slow zones, the delayed delivery of new vehicles and understaffing, although T officials say the slow zones are gradually being lifted.
Instead of plastic googly eyes, which Eng feared could come loose and fly off, injuring riders, the MBTA went with decals, giving a jaunty facial expression to the trains.
The agency has affixed them to just five trains — four on the MBTA’s Green Line and one commuter rail line.
“When we chatted about it, it would be like finding Waldo,” he said. “It gave us all a chance to have a laugh and for the people who use our service to have some fun.”
Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines.
Recommended Videos
If you need help with the Public File, call (904) 393-9801.
At WJXT, we are committed to informing and delighting our audience. In our commitment to covering our communities with innovation and excellence, we incorporate Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to enhance our news gathering, reporting, and presentation processes. Read our article to see how we are using Artificial Intelligence.
Copyright © 2024 News4JAX.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group, a division of Graham Holdings.
