Notes from the underground

In the underbelly of Boston is the country's oldest mass transit system, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, fondly known as the "T" and, like many businesses this year, suffering financially in the current challenging economy.

Tonight I have passes for a free screening of what sounds like a very good movie at the Someville Theater in Davis Square, in Somerville on the T's Red Line.

At first, my friend and I planned on going by car (I should mention that it is currently 89 degrees here today and expected to reach the low 90's). The thought of the T left a lot to be desired (although they've added air conditioning on some of the cars)!

I called the theater for directions and the recorded message strongly - very strongly - advised against driving, noting that parking is at a premium in Davis Square.

I called my friend, who was just Googling the theater himself, and we discussed the situation. After a brief debate about the T vs. driving/parking, he decided he couldn't deal with it at the moment and suggested we discuss it later - closer to leaving. At issue was whether the Orange Line here in Charlestown would take us to Park St. where we could get the Red Line (you begin to get the picture). Naturally, my mind, which has probably been frazzled by the heat and humidity of the past week, couldn't wrap itself around that question.

All of this made me wonder about restaurants! If it were a restaurant we wanted to go to in Davis Square, we'd call for directions. What would we think if we were told we should take the T on a 90 degree night to get there. Wouldn't we - wouldn't YOU - be discouraged from even thinking about it?

How easy do you make it for your visitors to reach you? Do you put obstacles in their way? In this economy, can anyone really afford to tell someone to take public transportation instead of driving? Just curious!