As new T schedules kick in, 4 takeaways from Phil Eng’s extensive radio interview

From shutdowns to schedule adjustments, MBTA General Manager Phil Eng covered a lot of ground during a recent appearance on WBUR’s “Radio Boston.”

MBTA General Manager Phil Eng is forging ahead on his mission to radically improve the T, from shorter headways to fewer slow zones and possibly some added whimsy.

During an appearance last week on WBUR’s “Radio Boston,” Eng shared some updates on the T’s recent efforts to make service more reliable, eliminate slow zones, and roll out contactless payment.

Here are some of the highlights.

Exploring other ways to pay for T rides

WBUR host Zeninjor Enwemeka noted that the MBTA’s Aug. 1 launch of contactless payment opens the door to new fare collection practices, including off-peak fares and fare capping.

“We will absolutely explore all of those options,” Eng said. He noted that his former agency, New York City’s MTA, also uses fare-capping, which generally limits how much a rider pays for transit in a given period.

Eng also pointed out that the T offers an income-eligible reduced fare program.

“The best schedules we’ve had in years”

Responding to a question from Enwemeka about whether the T condones holding the door for someone who’s running to catch the subway (spoiler alert: it doesn’t), Eng discussed the T’s efforts to keep things running smoothly.

“The thing that riders should know is that we are improving service,” he said. “We’re running more frequent trains. The headways are down, so if you miss a train, it’s not like it was last year.”

Eng said the T’s fall service changes, which went into effect Sunday, feature “the best schedules we’ve had in years.”

He noted that during peak operating hours, Blue Line trains are running nearly every four minutes, Red Line trains every seven minutes, Orange Line trains closer to every six minutes, and Green Line trolleys every two to three minutes in the downtown tunnels.

“If you miss a train, be safe,” Eng advised. “Do not stick your hands in the door, and allow the train to move.”

Eng had a similarly lukewarm response to Sept. 1 tenants using trains and buses to move furniture.

“From a safety perspective, you’d be potentially blocking doors, blocking aisles,” he said. “That’s not recommended.”

When will the MBTA shutdowns end?

In a bit of good news for T riders beleaguered by shutdowns and service diversions, Eng said the agency remains on track to eliminate all speed restrictions systemwide by the end of 2024. He also thanked riders for bearing with the T while it tackles long-standing work “that should have been done years ago.”

Over the past year, the agency has used periodic service suspensions to accelerate track work and repairs. The Red Line, for example, will soon see the Braintree branch shut down from Sept. 6 to Sept. 29.

Eng said the T’s approach with each shutdown has been to “get in, tackle the speed restrictions, perform state-of-good-repair [work] in addition so these restrictions do not come back quickly, and then maintain the system beyond.”

The Blue Line has been free of slow zones for months, and Eng said the T is aiming to clear the Orange Line of all speed restrictions by early November. The Red Line will ideally follow by the end of November, then the Green Line in December, he said.

“And then the system will be restriction-free,” Eng said. “I think most riders are anxious for that day, and we’ve made a strong commitment.”

More googly eyes?

Enwemeka also mentioned the googly eyes the MBTA added to several of its trains earlier this summer, asking Eng whether the T has any other quirky ideas in the works. While Eng didn’t confirm any future plans, he spoke fondly of efforts to introduce some humor and levity within the transit agency.

“I think the googly eyes were something that we heard about. You know, these transit enthusiasts were asking, and we just thought it was a good way to kind of lighten the mood,” Eng said. “Because it is a challenging environment.”

However, he emphasized that the T’s primary focus is making sure the system is safe and reliable.