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.
MBTA Head: Additional Subway Closures Still On The Table
MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said there are no plans to close the Red Line from end to end for another repair blitz, like this month’s Orange Line closure, but partial closures of the line remain on the table.
Paradigm Eyes Inner Belt for Lab Project
A Boston developer is proposing lab space in the Inner Belt as life science growth spills into new sections of East Somerville.
Feds’ Final Safety Report Orders Raft of New Fixes at MBTA
A toxic combination of persistent staffing shortages, misaligned management priorities, and communication breakdowns up and down the chain of command created serious safety deficiencies at the MBTA, federal investigators concluded Wednesday.
T’s Troubles Not Putting Off Biotech Tenants
The month-long closure of the MBTA’s Orange Line is not putting off potential biotech tenants in transit-dependent locations despite the “headaches” it’s causing.
Wu Wants Feds’ Help To Shore Up MBTA Workforce
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined transit activists on Monday to call for additional federal intervention to help reverse service cuts at the MBTA as the region waits to see what other changes safety investigators will mandate.
MBTA: 37 Percent of Orange Line Work Finished
Nine days into an unprecedented 30-day shutdown of one of its major subway lines, the MBTA says it’s already completed 37 percent of the work it set out to complete.
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