- Limited amount of trains in Boston now have the eye decals
- Decision came after group of enthusiasts approached the MBTA with the request
- Boston has oldest subway in the US
Trainspotting has been a hobby for many people almost since the dawn of trains, but now spotters in Boston, Massachusetts have something new to find – which of the trains have been kitted out with googly eyes.
Eyes on the road
Yes, five trains in Boston have been given eyes – and you can see the reasoning as the fronts of the subway trains do look like a nose and mouth.
This innovation – if you can call it that – came about after a small group of ‘transit enthusiasts’ – to quote Phillip Eng, general manager and CEO of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), as reported by AP, approached the agency with the idea.
The ‘transit enthusiasts’ even went so far as to drop off a pack of giant plastic googly eyes at the MBTA’s offices. However, it was decided not to use these on health and safety grounds, so the eyes have been painted on instead.
AP reported that Eng loved the idea. “When I saw it it made me laugh,” he said. “I thought we could do something like that to have some fun… and for the people who use our service to have some fun.”
Spot the eyes
Just five of the trains have been given the adornment – four on the MBTA Green Line and one on a commuter rail line.
Boston has the US’ oldest subway system, which is run by the MBTA, along with commuter rail, bus and ferry services.
This is not the first time that public transport vehicles have had fun additions made to them. For instance, in Vancouver at Christmas time reindeer-themed decorations are put on buses.
