Rick Dimino
Typically, we can declare an end to summer when the school year begins, football season starts, and the roadway traffic reappears with commuters returning to the workplace. We know 2020 is different, but right now, there is little information on how different the fall commutes will be in metropolitan Boston.
It is also unclear if our transportation system is prepared for this next chapter of our economic recovery. Business leaders, elected officials and policy makers are now seeking additional information on commuter projections to anticipate the expected travel demands of workers throughout the region. This way, we can adjust our transportation policies to manage the impact of workers returning to the office in the months ahead.
The health and safety of the workforce is the top priority of businesses as companies continue to operate through this unprecedented challenge. Teleworking is successful at some levels for many workers and industries but working from home is not an option for everyone and a gradual return to the office is expected, as we grow more confident in safely returning to the workplace. However, it is unknown how many workers will return in the coming months and how they will choose to commute. Fortunately, an effort is starting to gather this information.
The city of Boston and A Better City recently released the Boston Commuter Survey, which will collect employee commuting preferences before, during and in the anticipated future beyond the pandemic. This effort is supported through a grant by the Energy Foundation and intends to answer the critical questions related to transportation for the remainder of 2020 and beyond.
Respondents are asked to contemplate and rank incentives and penalties based on the potential impact on their commuting behavior. These include parking cash-out policies, better bus infrastructure, subsidies for transit and/or e-bikes, roadway congestion pricing, expanded bike lanes, tax incentives and more. In addition, A Better City has received a grant from the Barr Foundation that will allow the business community to lean in on innovative commuting choices and also address transportation-related climate impacts.
Not Everyone Can Drive
Commuters with access to a car, who work in metropolitan Boston, may desire to drive into work alone. This is understandable and expected during this public health crisis. Unfortunately, this is not a feasible option for every worker, and there are limits on the number of parking spaces available the capacity of our highways. Prior to the pandemic, the Boston area ranked worst in the nation in terms of roadway congestion, even with tens of thousands taking public transit.
Even if there are fewer total workers are traveling into downtown Boston, traffic could be crippling if there is a meaningful shift away from public transit and towards driving. Right now, we are already seeing heavy traffic return on certain routes, specifically the South East Expressway and the return to work is just beginning. The entire region cannot function efficiently without the support of a safe and reliable public transit system, and traffic–mitigating strategies to effectively manage workforce commuting plans.
Driving to work is a traditional perk for some jobs and for some is unavoidable. Collecting data on workforce commuting patterns is not intended to upend this reality.
Rather, we need a coordinated effort between stakeholders to design a transportation options and solutions that work from a system–wide perspective. Through tweaks to existing policies and on–site transportation infrastructure, many companies could instead offer flat–rate monthly transportation stipends, allow staggered work shifts and hybrid in-office/telework schedules and develop adequate parking and charging areas for e-bikes, and other alternative options for travel.
Getting this information as a baseline should inform immediate actions and set our sights on the emerging transportation demand management policies that are most effective to the area that can continue after the pandemic ends. We all stand to benefit when every good idea is shared throughout the business community and the ineffective policies are not duplicated.
Support from the MBTA and Cities
The MBTA is an essential partner for offering safe, reliable and affordable transportation options to workers and consumers. The T’s safty strategies, service plans and schedules will play a large role in offsetting potential roadway congestion and providing better choices for individuals. For example, the T could smooth out the peak commute curves with enhanced service. Changes in transit fares in targeted areas – like Zone1A with the Flex Pass or discounted fares – can better encourage transit use.
The MBTA and MassDOT will need to do more to build confidence through a stronger, comprehensive set of safety strategies as well as a Ride Safer campaign. The T needs to clearly communicate their dual safety initiatives and recent accelerated maintenance work. Municipal governments can do their part by expanding bus stops, accelerating more bike lanes, and reconfiguring streets to allow for better walking space or bus lanes that enable faster and more reliable T service.
The data on the returning workforce can help to show the level of impact Boston is facing and the potential urgency for action. Even if we are adequately prepared for the upcoming months, the future of metropolitan Boston will need transportation enhancements to support our economic growth. Gathering better information on what is ahead, improving safety and developing a funding plan to deliver this work are all necessary for a stronger future that addresses our equity challenges, commuters’ needs and the climate impacts of our transportation system
Rick Dimino is CEO of A Better City.
