Mayor Walsh, as you may know, is a Dorchester guy, which means he grew up on the Red Line. So naturally, when he had the opportunity to ride the MBTA to work Friday morning along with Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary Richard Davey, he kicked things off at Ashmont Station. I was fortunate enough to tag along.
The idea was for the mayor to show the people of Boston that he’s one of the them, a man of the people who happens to have a high-profile career. And while the ride may have seemed nothing but an artificial photo op to some, his interactions with the MBTA riders proved anything but.
In fact, I’d go so far as to say that he raised the spirits of those joining him in the train car, as they were surely expecting some kind of delay given this rainy weather.
Mayor Walsh began his commute by scribbling a suggestion on one of the Idea Boards scattered around three MBTA stations in hopes of soliciting creative solutions to everyday problems, whether it has to do with public transportation or anything else, as part of Idea Week.
Keeping things simple, he wrote “Safe,” and circled it for good measure.
He then opted onto the platform, using his Charlie Card like everyone else, as Secretary Davey joked, “We need the revenue.”
Once the train pulled into the station, Mayor Walsh made his way into the second car, where he finagled his way to manning the PA system. He called a few stops, certainly clearer and calmer than most conductors I’ve heard, and subsequently made his way down the train car to meet and greet guests.
“Sorry for all the ruckus today,” he said with a smirk to nearby passengers. As one might imagine, a rush hour train car isn’t the most comfortable setting for a politician and trailing reporters.
Nevertheless, Mayor Walsh happily shook hands with those who approached him, answered questions and posed for photos.
I finally had a chance to talk to him one-on-one about the MBTA and his own transportation habits, and he reminisced about some of the MBTA’s more memorable features.
“There was this big, old, metal grated round things you’d push – there’s one at the back of JFK/UMass,” he recalled. “And when I was growing up, Washington Station, which is now Downtown Crossing, used to have a wooden escalator. I don’t know how long ago they took it out.”
In jumped Secretary Davey, adding, “At least five years. It was the oldest escalator in the United States.”
“In the world I think,” added Walsh, in between laughs.
“We have that distinction a lot at the T,” continued Secretary Davey, “the oldest something in the country.”
It’s not all public transit for Mayor Walsh, though. Every once in a while, he’s able to sneak away and get behind the wheel himself (he doesn’t drive a stick, he likes to just put it in drive and go). He enjoys driving more than he used to, which isn’t surprising since he’s only been able to cruise around on his own maybe five times since he’s taken office.
“Last week I got blessed and was granted special dispensation,” a privilege that allows him a well-deserved allotted time to himself. “Now I just love driving. I just miss it.” One of his favorite road trips is one enjoyed by most Bostonians: a jaunt down the Cape.
By the time we rolled into Park Street, it became abundantly clear that this wasn’t just a publicity ploy. Mayor Walsh genuinely enjoys being part of the populous, chatting it up with fellow Dorchester residents and putting his clever wit to good use.
Don’t be surprised if you bump into him again sometime soon. He’s actually one of the few who looks forward to a morning subway commute.
Images via Jeremiah Robinson
