The Black Hole of Geezera

All righty then, for MBTA fare purposes, I'm now an official geezer. This hasn't helped me get a priority seat; it just cuts the fares.

So yes, despite budget cuts, the T is  marching ahead with the Senior Pass programme. It is running on a strictly Darwinian principle. At the moment, there is but one place to get the pass: an office at Back Bay Station.  A very, very small office, which must also deal with applicants for disability passes and for The Ride services. My generation is supposed to be turning 65 at the rate of 10,000 a day. One had to think either that Monday was Boston's turn to crank out 10,000, or that the MBTA isn't ready for prime time. Grump.

When I arrived, about 11:15 on a Monday morning, there were about 20 people ahead of me. That's 20 people in an 8 X 11 foot waiting room. There were, very soon thereafter, another 20 people clamouring to get in. After a few minutes, it occurred to some genius on the other side of the counter that those who had checked in, and th.en had had their photo taken, could wait outside in the concourse and be called back by a staff member. Until that moment, if someone had passed out or died, they would have remained standing. This innovation of course required the staff member to walk an additional ten feet and open a door to call the name of the lucky recipient. Some of them felt this imposition more than others.

All concerned no doubt will agree that the renovations of the main office at Downtown Crossing can't be completed soon enough,