Why Are Boston Trains Sporting Googly Eyes?

MBTA Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE that whimsical new decals have been installed on five vehicles

Trains in Boston are now rocking a fun new accessory!

Thanks to recent college graduates John Sanchez and Arielle Lok, the fronts of five trains run by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority have been equipped with googly eye decals.

The whimsical new feature comes nearly two months after the pair organized a march calling for the MBTA to attach googly eyes to the front of T trains to increase commuter morale.

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"Humans are an empathetic species—we want to relate to the world around us, to feel a connection to our surroundings and our public transit system," an event page for the march that took place in April reads. "When T trains are delayed, people can at least look into the eyes of the train when it finally arrives and feel some love and understanding in their hearts."

Ryan Coholan, the MBTA's chief operating officer, confirmed in a statement shared with PEOPLE that the decals have been installed on four Green Line trains and one Commuter Rail locomotive.

While speaking about the initiative's purpose during an appearance on the Morning Edition podcast, Lok said she and Sanchez are "big believers that the eyes are the window to the soul and that the soul of a city is its transit system."

"So we tried to connect those dots and give all T riders a new, fun way to connect emotionally with such a cornerstone part of the city," continued Lok.

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MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said in a statement shared with PEOPLE that the agency fully embraced the "fun opportunity to make people laugh" and making trips "more enjoyable."

"We loved the idea and decided to make it happen in a safe and fun way. The response has been overwhelmingly positive, bringing smiles to riders and even our employees," Eng said. "This small gesture is part of our ongoing efforts to humanize public transit and remind everyone that behind the tracks, signals, and schedules are people who care deeply about our community."

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"Whether through musical performances in stations, special announcements by young people with autism, or these playful googly eyes, we always look for creative ways to enhance the rider experience," his statement continued.

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