A train car filled with smoke and passengers kicked out windows to escape an MBTA Red Line train Thursday morning.
The T later said it was a problem with the propulsion system, and it was an isolated incident. Old infrastructure and frozen tracks always seem to be a problem in blizzards.
Some MBTA riders experienced painfully slow service Thursday morning as they returned to work after the blizzard. But things were somewhat smoother by the afternoon.
“The Braintree train I was on was just moving really slowly and we had to stop and keep waiting for all the trains ahead of us, I guess," said one passenger. "So it was unfortunately very slow.”
Buses, however, seem to be maneuvering the snow drifts.
“From Watertown Square I was expecting worse with the snow but yesterday and today were fine," one bus passenger said. "Nonstop, everything was on time, it was great.”
Right now the Green Line E Branch, service is suspended between Brigham Circle and Heath Street. The Route 39 bus is the best alternative. On the Red Line, buses are replacing Mattapan Trolley service between Ashmont and Mattapan Stations. And the Silver Line is running on its alternate snow route.
