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.
With Clock Ticking Down, MBTA Board Talks New Revenue
“We’re at the fiscal cliff,” the agency’s top budget official warned. That would mean the Legislature would have to pass some sort of revenue package for the T early in the year, or else the agency might be forced to start laying off workers
Proposals Would Boost Cost of Parking, Package Delivery, Rideshares
With policymakers leaning toward a basket full of revenue-raising options to fund transportation, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council tried to kickstart the debate on Wednesday by analyzing three relatively minor initiatives that combined would raise between $250 million and $400 million a year.
Promise Of Electric Trains Triggers Early Celebration
Trains powered by electricity rather than diesel fuel are not scheduled to begin rolling on the Fairmount Line for years, but public officials are so excited about the now-concrete plans for more frequent service with less pollution that they gathered in the hot sun Tuesday morning to celebrate an achievement that likely won’t be attained until 2028.
Massachusetts Is Building Momentum in Transportation
It may come as a surprise to hear, but we’ve recently turned some big corners in fixing some very real problems. Now we need a vision for the future.
Transforming Boston’s Commuter Rail Creates a Blueprint for Growth
The T recently hit several milestones in turning its commuter rail network into a tool to unlock new development sites. But the real estate community should keep an eye out for three
Eng Says MBTA Becoming More and More Reliable
MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng is beginning to make the case that the transit authority is a reliable transportation option.
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