Bare-legged and brave: Big turnout for Boston’s ‘No Pants Subway Ride’
Boston University student Katie Griswold looked apprehensive this afternoon as she stood in Dewey Square among a crowd of MBTA riders who, like her, would soon take off their pants.
The 18-year-old was braving her jitters to check off an item that’s been on her bucket list since she was in grade school – participating in a No Pants Subway Ride.
“It’s just a dorky, fun thing that I’ve wanted to do since I was 15,” said Griswold, who had little luck wrangling up her friends. “I decided to do it anyway. I’m a little nervous, but I’m on a mission to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
Around 1:45 p.m., groups were dispatched to South Station, where they would hop an outbound Red Line and nonchalantly drop their trousers.
Sergio Mazon and Rob Wilson looked more than comfortable as they stuffed their pants into shopping bags and settled into their seats. Decked out in Bert and Ernie shirts and hats – complete with a rubber ducky – the pantless pair was hard to miss.
“I think its so much fun. I’m very confident. I’m just glad it’s not cold.,” said Mazon, who said it was his third year participating in the annual event. “I love people’s reactions. They have no idea what’s going on. They look at you with surprise, with disgust, with curiosity, and we just keep going about our business, like, ‘Hey, we’re just riding the subway.’”
A nearby strapholder, who went only by Meryl, grinned and snapped a photo.
It was her first experience with the event.
“I enjoy the No Pants subway ride,” she said. “I am surprised, but not alarmed.”
