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.
Progress on Regional Rail Has Stalled, But There’s Still Hope
Businesses will not be able to attract talent if the region’s cost of living continues to grow out of control. Electrifying the T’s commuter rail network and making it more frequent will help head of this dire threat.
T Board Backs $2.72B Budget Featuring 644 New Safety Jobs
MBTA officials warned Thursday of a “sobering” financial outlook for the agency, but voted to jack up spending by nearly 7 percent in an annual budget that funds mandatory safety improvements and an ambitious hiring effort.
MBTA Bosses Say to Expect ‘Incremental’ Improvements in ’23
People will see a “different T one year from now,” but T board chair Tom Glynn and General Manager Phil Eng indicated the public won’t see a difference in just two months’ time.
Citing Employee Risks, Feds Demand New MBTA Safety Plan
The MBTA has until Monday to submit an updated plan for improving employee safety and preventing trains from striking workers after federal overseers, who still aren’t satisfied with the T’s staffing levels, deemed their initial proposal “insufficient.”
Healey’s Transit Hires Show Promise, But Questions Still Unresolved
With Healey’s recent appointments to the MBTA board of directors and other key positions in state government we are getting closer to solving the biggest obstacles that are holding back the MBTA.
T, Union Ink Key Deal to Speed Hiring
The nearly 300,000 people who ride the MBTA’s buses every day could be getting some relief from the crowding and unreliable schedules caused by the T’s major staffing shortages.
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