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.
Free Bus Rides Help Regional Transit Hit New Highs
Regional transit authority officials reported record ridership numbers on Tuesday and cheered the newly fare-free bus rides people are taking around the state and pushing them out of their cars.
Eng Senses “a Lot of Optimism” Around T’s Budget Trouble
MBTA budget-writers have warned the agency could run out of cash in the first quarter of fiscal 2026 amid a roughly $700 million gap, but the agency’s leader is feeling “optimism” about the prospects of addressing the shortfall.
Newton Multifamily Developments Get Big Transit Upgrade
State and city officials gathered Monday to celebrate a new commitment by the MBTA to rebuild and modernize the Newtonville commuter rail station to make it larger and more accessible.
With Tracks Largely Fixed, T Moves on to Signals
The speed restrictions that have plagued the MBTA for years should be gone by next month, and agency leaders will then turn their attention toward similarly important work on signals and station improvements – work that will still require small shutdowns.
Lynch: West-East Rail More Important than Boston North-South Rail Link
Congressman Stephen Lynch said Monday that he thinks pursuing a connection between Boston’s busiest commuter rail hubs and the Northeast Amtrak network may be a waste of time.
Watchdog: State Must ‘Repent’ for MBTA’s ‘Crippling Debts’
The MBTA Advisory Board, an independent group that represents cities and towns that help fund the T, is calling on Beacon Hill to make debt relief a central part of the next MBTA financial rescue plan.
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