Boston Stay Up: Two Suffolk University students push for T service until 3 a.m., 7 days a week
A pair of Suffolk University students recently launched Boston Stay Up, a grassroots social media push for later T service, seven days a week.
Their plan – “make enough noise to wake up the city.”
“As a life long Boston resident, I’ve seen the city grow. I definitely want the Boston to have the nightlife it deserves,” said Joel Edwards, a 29-year-old entrepreneurship student.
Edwards joined forces with 20-year-old marketing student Funsho Owojori earlier this month to launch Boston Stay Up on social media. They hope to gain a strong following, them make a case to transportation officials.
“There are times I’ve had to walk home at 2 a.m., and it’s uncomfortable,” said Owojori, who dismisses the option of taking a cab as too expensive. “The T is a public setting with added security. There are cameras and police officers.”
The MBTA would run until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays under Governor Deval Patrick’s 10-year transit fix, coined The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan.
“Given the strain on the MBTA’s limited resources, the (MBTA) cannot even consider an extension of service hours before action is taken on (the plan),” T Spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in response to the students’ campaign.
But Boston Stay Up wants service to run until about 3 a.m., seven days a week – not just on the weekend.
“People who work in restaurants or in clubs get out of work late even on weekdays. That is when they most need public transportation,” Owojori said.
If the pair gets enough input and support from T riders, their next move is to talk to late-night business owners.
After that, Edwards and Owojori said they will head to the State House to push for the later service.
As for the inevitable question, “Are you willing to pay more for this?” Edwards said: “We see it happening all around. The cost of living is increasing, period. If we’re going to pay more to live here, I feel we should have the same benefit as other cities.”
T riders ‘make noise’ on Boston Stay Up:
“The amount of drunk drivers is ridiculous in Boston, I walk home late from my job and it is insane how many people are speeding or swerving, there needs to be another way of transit for these people, taxis just don’t cut it, they are way to expensive and the hassle of finding one is ridiculously challenging even with calling ahead.” – Careese Peters
“This is necessary. This will save young college students money versus taking a cab home after they go out for the night or, more precariously, walking home. This should have been done a long time ago and it’s time for a change.” – Mandy Driscoll
“Now this is one cause I can say I’m 100% for. Extend late night service!” – Robert Ramos
“They did (offer late night service). no one used it.” – @sambot5k
Follow Morgan Rousseau on Twitter: @MetroMorgan
Follow Metro Boston on Twitter: @MetroBOS
The MBTA doesn’t care about its riders….period.