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by **MBTA3247** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:59 am

I just received a call from Mr. Bassila at the T that photo permits are no longer required to take photos on T property. The new policy only requires you to carry a valid ID such as a drivers license and obey the existing rules regarding tripods, flashes, etc.

:-D

by **PraiseX6** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:22 pm

Awesome! Although I never gotten question when I go railfanning.

by **Arborway** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:37 pm

I must have been one of the last people to pick up a permit.

by **octr202** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:42 pm

It'll be interesting to see if anything changes "out in the field," and also if the T puts anything in writing out about this. Given that security at South Station is fond of yelling at travelers for even a quick snapshot of their companions sitting next to them, I think I'd like a written policy before going out for some photos of the system.

by **WonderlandMan** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:44 pm

octr202 wrote:It'll be interesting to see if anything changes "out in the field," and also if the T puts anything in writing out about this. Given that security at South Station is fond of yelling at travelers for even a quick snapshot of their companions sitting next to them, I think I'd like a written policy before going out for some photos of the system.

My thoughts exactly. I've heard of a lot of people being hassled even with the permit.

by **Robert Paniagua** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 2:02 pm

That's some good news, all you really need is your Drivers license just in case you get "pulled over", but otherwise, thats some good news so that I can take my still pictures and movies while on T grounds.

by **dieciduej** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 2:24 pm

I think it will open people up to more questioning.

I have been a fan of the permit system because when I have been queried I just show the permit and the officials doing the questioning are impressed that someone has followed the procedure. And they never have asked for my driver’s license. It also seems to make it harder for them to say “stop taking pictures.” I look at the permit as someone has taken the time to validate me.

Granted now I do not have to take a monthly trek into the Transportation Building to see Mike or Carol and drop off the paper work and go back to pick the permit. But I will make my journey next week to see if they have the new rules in black & white or a million shades of gray.

I hope it works out as a good thing for rail fans but for some reason I think it has opened door for more questioning. Just to be safe I will still carry my old permits and the new ruling if it is print.

JoeD

by **jamesinclair** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 4:11 pm

^If you do get anything in writing, would you mind scanning it and putting it online so we can print it?

by **CRail** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 5:41 pm

I didn't follow any permit rule BECAUSE there was nothing in writing. There was no rule, it wasn't written, announced or posted anywhere. It only existed as word of mouth from management to employees. There never was a rule, they just said there was.

by **acela 2036** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 8:42 pm

awsome! Now i can film on the Green line,

by **PraiseX6** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:10 pm

Who exactly comes up to you and tells you your not allowed to take photo's? Everywhere I've been I've never gotten question and also I've been to South Station (which people tell me they get hassled all the time) - I don't think engineers care that much.

by **AznSumtinSumtin** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:32 pm

Inspectors, various employees, and Transit Police. Engineers don't care that much, but the bus drivers, subway motorpersons and guards care. Inspectors and Transit Police officers care a lot.

by **MBTA3247** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 9:33 pm

PraiseX6 wrote:Who exactly comes up to you and tells you your not allowed to take photo's? Everywhere I've been I've never gotten question and also I've been to South Station (which people tell me they get hassled all the time) - I don't think engineers care that much.

Motorpersons, inspectors, T police. If you haven't been questioned then you've just been lucky.

by **PraiseX6** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:47 pm

From my sense, blue line officials don't care and Redline motorman don't care. (I went to Braintree for the red and Airport for the blue - thats my spot to take photo's on those lines) Personally some motorman wanted to view the pictures of their train lol. I guess I just been pretty lucky in where I go.

by **jamesinclair** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 10:57 pm

PraiseX6 wrote:Who exactly comes up to you and tells you your not allowed to take photo's? Everywhere I've been I've never gotten question and also I've been to South Station (which people tell me they get hassled all the time) - I don't think engineers care that much.

Ive only been bothered once, while on a green line train by the driver.

Ive never been bothered standing at a station taking pictures.

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