Commuters on Boston's MBTA system might find their morning rides looking back at them, courtesy of a new initiative that has placed googly eyes on five of the line's trains. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has installed these peepers on a select few Green Line and Commuter Rail trains, responding to what they described as the public's desire for some light-heartedness during their daily commutes. According to NBC Boston's coverage, this playful addition is part of the authority's ongoing mission to uplift the spirits of its riders, despite the daunting $24.5 billion needed for comprehensive system repairs.
Those who find themselves at Park Street station may remember earlier in April, when suffused with the same spirit, organizers called for a "March for Googly Eyes on the T." As reported by WHDH News, the promoters had pushed for the transit agency to bring some levity to passengers' experiences, with them claiming, "If the trains can’t be reliable, at least they can be fun." The organizers cited Vancouver's custom of dressing up buses as Rudolph during the holiday season as an inspiration for the googly eyes campaign in Boston.
MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo, in his dialogue with the press, disclosed that the authority was seeking innovative, non-disruptive ways to deploy these googly eyes. "After receiving public suggestions, our team found a safe way to install these ‘googly’ eyes on a limited number of vehicles," Pesaturo told WHDH News. The eyes aim to be more than a superficial tweak; they represent a broader commitment to serve the city's population with a touch of joy amidst the regularity of urban life.
Beyond the optics, the MBTA fancies itself an engine for community connection. Initiatives such as in-station musical renditions, announcements narrated by children, and campaigns like 'Share the Love' are designed to enhance the commuter experience. "We hope these initiatives, combined with our transit ambassadors' dedication and our staff's hard work on infrastructure upgrades, will continue to be a source of community connection and brighten someone's day," said Pesaturo, in a narrative aligning with the agency's broader aspirations, as reported by NBC Boston. It's clear that while the googly eyes might be seen as a lighthearted prank, they also serve as an emblem of the MBTA's desire to forge a deeper, albeit whimsical, bond with Bostonians.
