US – Tuesday, February 9
The Senate’s Weak Health Care Bill
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid “got to 60” at 1:08 yesterday morning, clearing a key Republican hurdle and keeping the Senate’s version of a health care reform bill on track for passage before Christmas.
 
Patrick jumps on jobs bandwagon
As Washington leaders work furiously on national job creation legislation, their Beacon Hill counterparts are now doing the same. Tomorrow, Gov. Deval Patrick is expected to detail plans that include offering a $2,500 tax credit for every new job a small business adds — a move that could wind up creating 20,000 positions.
 
DeLeo wants house troops to go retail
Speaker Robert DeLeo has a message for the seven score or so House Democrats who will try to get reelected in the fall: Scram.
 
Will a two-phase plan ever finish?
For years, Somerville and Medford residents have anxiously awaited the Green Line's extension into their transit-deprived neighborhoods. But now it’s a question of how far the MBTA line will actually go.
 
For a really good time, call ahead
As Marvin Gaye so beautifully sang, “Let’s get it on.” Who are we to disagree, especially with so many smoochable spots to enjoy Valentine’s Day? It doesn’t have to cost the earth, either. 
 
[not too shabby]
“[title of show]” is a silly, little show filled with nudge- nudge, wink-wink moments and enough self-congratulations to make a Hollywood award show look like a spiritually-driven mission of mercy. And though there’s been a dearth of musicals that proclaim, “look at us, we’re a musical making fun of musicals,” there’s something fresh and oddly charming about this one.
 
Beanpot on its way back to the Heights
The outdoor game at Fenway Park last month went to Boston University.
 
What’s next for the Bruins?
After 10 agonizing games filled with near-misses, bad breaks and downright sloppy play, the Bruins ended their epic losing streak with a cathartic win on Sunday. Now that the distraction of that brutal run is over, here’s what to look for as the Bruins go forward:

 
T time
What to do and where to go. 
 
Published 20:52, July the 8th, 2008
 
The MBCR is trying a new pilot program on the commuter rail it hopes will help collect more fares and improve service. The MBCR is trying a new pilot program on the commuter rail it hopes will help collect more fares and improve service. 
Photo: METRO FILE PHOTO
 

Have your passes handy

Commuter rail program aims to boost fare collection, improve service

Commuter rail riders will be asked to flash their monthly passes and tickets prior to boarding over the next two weeks, an effort transit officials hope will increase revenue collection and improve customer service.

The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR), which runs the commuter rail for the T, is spearheading the “Buy Before You Board” two-week pilot program, which began Monday. Between noon and 8 p.m., officials will be randomly stationed on platforms at South Station, North Station and Back Bay station asking to see passes and directing riders without them back to the ticket windows.

Riders purchasing tickets onboard are hit with $2 surcharges. But the practice can be an inconvenience for other riders, slow down fare collection and sometimes lead to riders being overlooked, especially on packed, rush-hour trains, according to MBCR spokesman Scott Farmelant.

During negotiations over MBCR’s latest contract, the MBTA board stressed increasing fare collection, Farmelant said.

“Ideally, the more tickets are sold prior to boarding, the more convenient it is for everyone on train and the more fair it is for customers,” he said.

One rider yesterday at South Station, who only gave his first name, Ross, said he was happy the T was making a greater effort to collect fares. A monthly passholder, Ross said he often observes commuters getting a free ride, though it doesn’t frustrate him.

“I don’t get bent out of shape about it, but I see the holes in the system,” he said.

 
 
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MMMpod
The February MMMpod features conversation from Ozzy Osbourne. Michael Emerson from "Lost" tells us about his days enjoying punk rock in Boston. We also dig up an old interview from the late great Howard Zinn. We have a song from Delta Spirit and The Soft Pack, who tell us where they got their name.