Lynch optimistic about bringing back T retirees

Goal is to boost staffing in control center, restore full subway service

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jun 29, 2022

US REP. STEPHEN LYNCH is optimistic the MBTA and its unions can find a way to bring retired subway dispatchers back on the job to help raise staffing levels in the operations control center to a point where full service on the Red, Orange, and Blue lines can be restored. Lynch said retirees are attractive(...)

Poftak gets nearly $80,000 in bonus payments

Officials say MBTA GM’s extra pay is for 2020, 2021

By Colman M. Herman MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jun 29, 2022

MBTA GENERAL MANAGER Steve Poftak, who is steering the beleaguered transit authority through safety and budgetary challenges, received nearly $80,000 more in his paycheck earlier this year in the form of bonuses for 2020 and 2021. According to payroll records and state officials, Poftak received a bonus of $35,728 for 2020 and a bonus of(...)

Another agency shares blame for MBTA safety issues

DPU division keeps low public profile in overseeing T

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jun 28, 2022

THE MBTA is taking a lot of hits for its safety shortcomings, but there’s another state agency that deserves a share of the blame. The Department of Public Utilities is the state agency tasked with overseeing and monitoring subway safety initiatives at the MBTA. It investigates or oversees the investigation of accidents and assists in(...)

E. Boston-Long Wharf experiment shows potential of ferries

Service should become permanent, at least through Sumner Tunnel shutdown

By Adrian Madaro and Alice Brown ferry, Transportation 0 Comments Jun 27, 2022

SCHEDULED ROAD, bridge, and transit shutdowns to improve transportation—as in the case of the Sumner Tunnel, which will be closed for four months in the summer of 2023—are a necessary evil of infrastructure maintenance, inevitably resulting in a chorus of thousands of grumbling travelers. But during recent scheduled Blue Line diversions between Maverick and Bowdoin(...)

Gas tax holiday good politics, not policy

Horowitz says Biden-Baker approach won’t cut prices 42 cents a gallon

By Bruce Mohl Taxes and Budget Issues, Transportation 0 Comments Jun 27, 2022

A GAS TAX HOLIDAY may be good politics but it’s not good public policy, according to Evan Horowitz, executive director of the Center for State Policy Analysis at Tufts University. President Biden last week proposed the temporary elimination of the 18.3-cent federal gas tax and urged states to do away with their gas taxes as(...)

MBTA resumes service at Haymarket Station

Developer installs supports for water-damaged column

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jun 26, 2022

THE MBTA resumed Orange and Green Line service through Haymarket Station on Sunday, three days after it was shut down when it was discovered one of the columns supporting the Government Center garage and running through the subway tunnel area had suffered significant water damage. The T issued a press release shortly before 7 p.m.(...)

More bad news for T: Haymarket shuts down

Developer says columns in subway tunnel area severely deteriorated

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jun 23, 2022

THE MBTA shut down Green and Orange Line subway service through Haymarket Station Thursday evening after HYM, the developer of the Government Center Garage, said columns supporting the garage and running through the subway tunnel area are severely deteriorated. “This service disruption as a result of HYM’s project is unacceptable and the MBTA will seek(...)

MBTA outlines hybrid approach on rail electrification

Service would probably not start until 2032

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jun 23, 2022

THE MBTA’S current plan for electrifying its commuter rail system calls for a hybrid approach using trains that draw power from overhead wires but also have the capability of running off batteries in tunnels, bridges, or on stretches of track where overhead wires are not feasible. In a brief presentation to the MBTA board of(...)

MBTA ramping up hiring efforts in control center

$10,000 signing bonus attracts 30 potential applicants

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jun 23, 2022

MBTA GENERAL MANAGER Steve Poftak said a hiring blitz, complete with the offer of $10,000 signing bonuses, has attracted roughly 30 potential job recruits for the operations control center, where a shortage of workers has triggered a reduction in service on the Red, Orange, and Blue subway lines. In a briefing for the T’s board(...)

84% of Mass. residents support low-income fare

Support is up 5 points from December

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jun 23, 2022

MASSACHUSETTS RESIDENTS overwhelmingly support a discount for low-income riders of the MBTA, according to a new poll. The poll indicates 56 percent of residents strongly support and 27 percent somewhat support a low-income fare, which means more than 4 of every five residents in the state are on board. The new numbers are up five(...)