A City On The Move
Banker & Tradesman’s coverage of transit issues throughout the region, including debates over the merits of dedicated bus lanes, advocacy for the Allston interchange and the ongoing saga of the Green Line Extension.
Tibbits-Nutt: Current Transpo Funding ‘Tools Aren’t Working’
Speaking to the Charles River Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, the transportation secretary made it clear that the Healey administration isn’t pursuing more tolls. Still, she says, the issue of needing more revenue isn’t going away.
What Type of Transportation System Do We Want?
Transportation is one of the cornerstones of our economy and without safe, reliable and affordable public transit service, our economic growth will be threatened.
MBTA Plans To Drain Savings To Boost Spending
MBTA officials are eyeing a $3 billion budget for the next year that would drain a final tranche of savings to ramp up spending despite a persistent, and growing, mismatch between the agency’s projected revenues and spending.
Praise, Not Punishment, Highlighted In New MBTA Zoning Pitch
Gov. Maura Healey and AG Andrea Campbell have recently focused more on the towns doing what is expected of them rather than warning of the punishments on the table.
More Tolls Are in Our Future – and That’s a Good Thing
Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt found herself in an unfortunate political firestorm last week thanks to her willingness to say the truth: We should give a hard look at adding tolls to other highways in Massachusetts.
T Board Seeks More Time to Reimagine Commuter Rail
The MBTA Board voted unanimously Thursday to extend the contract for the commuter rail network’s operator for one year to mid-2027 to give agency staff more time to work.
Letter to the Editor: Federal I-90 Grant Deserves Celebration
“It is a rare occasion to win a $335 million grant, but it is appropriate for this project and this special moment. Because of the hard work over the past few years, this region now stands to benefit with safer transportation infrastructure, better access to transit, and the new economic development that will improve Greater Boston for decades to come.”
— Tom Ryan, senior advisor, A Better City
MBTA Lays Out Vision for New Bus Rapid Transit in Everett
“We are beyond excited to be advancing plans to extend Silver Line service between Chelsea, Everett and Sullivan Square in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood. This extension of service is exactly what we are talking about when we say the administration is prioritizing public transportation investments which fill gaps in our system, increase access for residents in underserved communities and make our transportation network more equitable.”
— Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt
Lawmakers Rule Out Tax Hikes to Pay for Guv's Proposals
The governor pledged to “increase funding for local roads and bridges to record levels, with special investments dedicated to rural communities,” and convene a task force to rethink long-term transportation financing questions “in the clean energy era,” a potential nod to expectations that gas tax revenue that in part pays for road maintenance will dry up as electric vehicle usage increases.
— Banker & Tradesman Managing Editor James Sanna
T Hiring Blitz Pays Off, 'Sets New Bar'
“The agency has suffered from hiring and retention struggles, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic spread labor challenges across sectors. And the consequences have been potent: staffing shortages have played a major role in safety lapses and unreliable service.”
— Chris Lisinski, State House News Service
The Transformational Opportunity in Allston
“By realigning the elevated highway lanes, the state and city of Boston can open up 40 acres of developable land for new housing – 20 percent of which will be affordable – and commerce. This area would then supported by a new transportation hub on the Worcester- Framingham commuter rail line called West Station that also allows for seamless bus and shuttle connections throughout Greater Boston. This is truly a once-in-a-generation chance to transform a structurally-deficient highway into a vibrant transit-orientated development that benefits travelers throughout Greater Boston.”
— Rick Dimino, CEO, A Better City