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.
Eng Taps Ex-NYC Colleagues as ‘Reinforcements’ at MBTA
Facing a long list of necessary safety, service and reliability improvements, the MBTA general manager is bringing in former colleagues from his time turning around the Long Island Rail Road.
The Third Cape Bridge We Forget About
It’s truly irresponsible of state officials that discussion of the Cape’s transportation needs appears to be occurring in a vacuum without considering transit.
Committee Backs New Oversight Model For MBTA
Massachusetts would stand up a new agency, empowered with subpoena power and other regulatory muscle, to oversee public transit safety under a bill that has cleared the Joint Committee on Transportation.
Transit Group Contrasts Red Line Performance with ’50s Records
For Red Line commuters who have suffered through months of slow zones and more than a year of service cuts, an eight-minute trip from Harvard Square to Park Street might sound like a pipedream. But that wasn’t always the case.
Free the T of Big Dig Debt
As they continue to mull the state’s overdue budget, here’s one idea the legislature’s fiscal negotiators should jump on: Take the Big Dig debt off the T’s books.
Red Line Interrupted by 6 a.m. Train Fire
Firefighters had to manually carry water up to an elevated platform to fight a small fire was reported underneath a car on a train at Charles/MGH.
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