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.
We Must Capitalize on the Potential in Allston
One of the most promising places to expand Greater Boston’s economy is in Allston. Proposals to build a rail yard there threaten this goal, and the bigger goal of proving we can deliver big infrastructure projects.
House Tees Up Vote on Healey’s Big MBTA Investments
House Democrats will seek a vote this week on a roughly $1.3 billion spending plan that would inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the MBTA as the agency wrestles with a major budget gap.
Western Mass. Legislators Call Healey’s MBTA Plan Unfair
The administration says the MBTA needs the $870 million to stay afloat and preserve progress made in the last two years, but “this didn’t look like equity or anything close,” two legislators say.
Fed Funds ‘Have Continued to Come in,’ T Chief Says
The MBTA has not had any federal grants rejected or revoked amid a major belt-tightening campaign by the Trump administration, according to the T’s top boss, who also warned that tariffs could impact costs for materials purchased by transit agencies around the country.
New Poll: Mass. Residents Want Back-Up Plan for Funding Transpo. Projects
The survey indicated residents remain in a fiscally conservative mood, but they are open to studying other ways to pay for transportation upgrades and improvements, such as congestion pricing.
Decades in the Making, South Coast Rail Service Begins Today
Gov. Maura Healey plans to board a train in Fall River Monday morning, marking a seemingly improbable dream ride for southeastern Massachusetts residents who had expected commuter rail service to be restored to the area decades ago.
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