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MBTA: Mercy warranted in falalalalagate

EDITORIAL | Editorial

THIS STORY APPEARED IN

December 28, 2011

When regular riders gripe about the MBTA, it’s rarely because the system is too warm, too personal, or too brimming with holiday cheer. So it’s gratifying that T officials let a dispatcher off with nothing more than a light reprimand after he programmed electronic message boards at Park Street station to display the lyrics to “Deck the Halls.’’ If anything, many riders’ spirits rose as digital “fas’’ and “las’’ brightened the subway platform, and as an affectless electronic voice read along. At worst, it was a diverting prank. According to one witness, “As far as PR goes, it’s probably one of the best things they’ve ever done.’’

After the incident - what’s being dubbed as “falalalalagate’’ - a T spokesman raised the possibility that the person responsible might be subject to punishments ranging from written reprimand to termination. For understandable reasons, MBTA policy warns against freelancing by employees on message boards meant to inform customers; the goal is to prevent inflammatory material from being posted. But the unidentified dispatcher didn’t hurt or offend anyone. A big organization like the MBTA has to be open to individual initiative - and should avoid sending the message that showing too much creativity or individual initiative is a firing offense.