July 20, 2005
Forget the boy who cried wolf. MBTA officials have announced and delayed the re-opening of Savin Hill Station at least four times prior to their current promise of July 31, and that record of credibility has left more than a handful of Savin Hill residents reluctant to rush out and buy a T pass.
As contractors put the finishing touches on the renovated and newly handicapped accessible train platforms, regulars on the shuttle bus from the interim Dot Ave. stop to JFK/UMass Station offered their thoughts on the MBTA vow that the station will open July 31.
Matt Stone, State House intern for Sen. Jack Hart and Sagamore St. resident
"Is that what they said? I hate to be pessimistic but with all the delays so far, why would we believe them now? I moved to Dorchester last March, and have been delayed by this project that entire time. I've never even known the convenience of taking the train from here, and can't wait for it to open."
Renee Noreiga, John W. McCormack middle school student
"It doesn't matter to me, because I only take the shuttle from here to JFK, and that means I get a free ride there and back. When the train starts running again, I'll have to pay. I use the train to go to school, summer school, and the beach with friends. I've been riding the bus instead since last winter, and have no idea when the train will re-open."
Hatien Le, employee of Brighton's Pho Pasteur Vietnamese restaurant
"It's already been six months since [the MBTA] said it would re-open. I use the train to go to work or downtown, and it's so much faster than the bus. When I miss a bus here, I know that I'll probably be missing the next train as well."
Mikey Nguyen, John W. McCormack middle school student
"It won't re-open on time. They said it would be eight months ago, and I'm sure they'll ask for a couple more. It's very aggravating to have to take the bus, because I live very close to the train station and now I have to walk all the way up to Dot Ave. I'm on the train everyday, going to middle school or downtown to hang out."
Chris Emma, employed in downtown Boston
"No, it won't open on time. The handicapped association wanted two elevators and another escalator. One seemed reasonable to me, I don't know why they need two. Who hasn't been inconvenienced? Anyone that lives around here has had an extra 30 to 40 minutes on their commute home, and after the attacks in London last week it's been even worse."
Julia Forest- UMass-Boston student
"The reason the station was closed was to make it handicap accessible, so I am the delay," said Forest, who is confined to a wheelchair. "It's been closed since last year, but it hasn't been a problem for me, because I couldn't use the station before. I'm very pleased about the change. I used to have to get on the train at Fields Corner, though here is much closer to my home. Lately, I've taken the shuttle bus to my classes at UMass-Boston, but some of the vehicles, like the van that just left, are not handicap accessible. I don't know if the station will open on time, but my guess would be no."
Bill Norton and Chris Chisolm, glass workers on the renovation project
"The opening is a go. We're just putting the finishing touches on now. The difference between last time they said it would open and now is a month of progress, and the handicap accessible features, which were really holding us up, are ready to go. The permits are in and the elevator has been inspected. The station has already been broken into twice and graffitied, so I'd say it's as good as open."
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