We asked: What does the MBTA mean to you?

It seems like bad news about the MBTA won’t stop coming: The Orange Line is shutting down for a full month, from 9 p.m. on Aug. 19 to 5 a.m. on Sept. 19. The Green Line, too, will have closures: All lines that go north of Government Center will halt service from Aug. 22 to Sept. 18; and the E Line from Copley to Heath Street, from now until Aug. 21. The transit system has been operating under conditions that federal authorities have called dangerous: A Red Line passenger named Robinson Lalin died when his arm got trapped in the door of an old Red Line car in April; Last month, Orange Line passengers had to jump out of windows when their train caught fire. A federal report about safety lapses is scheduled for release this month.

But when Bostonians complain about the T, they often do so from a place of deep care, lamenting that the agency does not serve the city and its residents the way it could. GBH’s Morning Edition asked our audience: What does the MBTA mean to you? What role has it played in your life? What are your favorite MBTA memories?

Here are some responses. Have more memories? Leave them for us using the form below.

“As someone who grew up in the suburban sprawl of the southern U.S., I appreciate how connected to the city the MBTA makes me feel. I love that I don’t need to rely on a vehicle. I love how it can open city access to more people. Despite the issues, the network of public transit is a Northeastern (and Chicago) phenomenon that to me is a major plus for livability.” — Ryan

“I have 2.5 year old who is obsessed with the T. Every time that we've been waiting for the train and the train arrives, he does the pulling sign to get a honk and the drivers oblige him every single time. It makes his day and puts the biggest smile on his face. Also, the Blue Line is the best line. Go Blue!” — Sarah

“I grew up in the ‘50s and ‘60s in Belmont. Like most families at that time we were a one car family. A five minute walk would get us to the trolley which would take us to Harvard Square (the end of the line at that time) and from there you could go anywhere! It was years before I realized that people really did drive around the city. Fares were 10 cents for the trolley and 25 cents for the subway. Cheap, reliable and the only mode of transportation I knew.” — Lorraine

“I don’t have any proof but I give public transportation credit for my great health. I think my exposure to all that humanity has been good for my immune system. I credit it for being a part of my daily exercise regimen: my current daily commute to the North End for school and climbing all of those stairs at Haymarket and Government Center. And there’s the great senior discount pass. I’ve been very fortunate to live in a part of the city that’s well served by four bus lines (64, 65, 66 and 86) and the Green Line. It means I’m more of a walker (I also bike to places harder to get to like Watertown) which means I’m constantly picking up litter because I pass by city trash cans or picking up useful things people have put out on trash day.” — Richard