Union protests T privatizing

Workers blast Baker and board for refusing to discuss alternatives

By Jack Sullivan Charlie Baker, Massachusetts Legislature, MBTA, State Government, Transportation 1 Comment Sep 12, 2016

HUNDREDS OF ORANGE-CLAD MBTA union workers and supporters crammed the Fiscal and Management Control Board meeting Monday to loudly — and, in some cases, profanely – protest the administration’s efforts to privatize agency services. “We think it is time we make our voice heard,” said Carmen’s Union President James O’Brien. “For months, we have attempted(...)

T terminating parking contract early

Moving from flat fee to incentive-based deal

By Bruce Mohl MBTA 3 Comments Sep 8, 2016

THE MBTA IS PREPARING to terminate early its contract with its existing parking lot operator and sign a new deal that is expected to grow the $40 million business and better align the contractor’s incentives with those of the T. The T’s existing contract with LAZ Parking is scheduled to run through the end of(...)

Get Mass. transponder or face higher Turnpike charges

Electronic tolling scheduled to start Oct. 28

By Bruce Mohl Transportation 6 Comments Aug 22, 2016

This story was updated at 5:30 p.m. At 3 p.m., because of incorrect information supplied by state officials, it was corrected to say that drivers without transponders will be charged $11.70 for driving from Stockbridge to Boston. AS THE MASSACHUSETTS TURNPIKE shifts to electronic tolling, state officials are urging drivers to pick up and start(...)

Baker shortsighted on VMT

His no-new-taxes stances trumps facts, analysis

By Michael J. Widmer Taxes and Budget Issues, Transportation 2 Comments Aug 16, 2016

THERE ARE MOMENTS IN GOVERNMENT when a small, often little-noticed, decision has large long-term consequences. Unfortunately, Gov. Charlie Baker made such a decision last week when he vetoed a provision in a transportation bond bill that directed the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to apply for federal funding to support a VMT (vehicles miles traveled) pilot(...)

Transit equity has a housing component

Subsidized, affordable housing needed near the T

By Roger Herzog and Bob Van Meter MBTA 0 Comments Aug 15, 2016

ACCESS TO GOOD TRANSPORTATION is the cornerstone of a strong, thriving community. Municipal planners encourage this kind of smart growth which, in addition to combating urban sprawl, stimulates community reinvestment and brings vibrancy to neighborhoods. Market-rate real estate developers see the value in locating residential and mixed-use developments near transit. Neighborhoods where residents are close(...)

Calls for audits at 13 lots going back to 2013

By Bruce Mohl MBTA 1 Comment Aug 12, 2016

THE MBTA HAS FORMALLY notified its parking lot operator that the company breached its contract by failing to reimburse the transit authority for money stolen by employees. The notification, which came in a letter dated Thursday from MBTA General Counsel John Englander to LAZ Parking, is the first time the T has publicly identified employee(...)

T parking revenue is up, but why?

Two possibilities: More customers or less leakage

By Bruce Mohl MBTA 2 Comments Aug 11, 2016

Parking revenue at the MBTA’s eight biggest lots rose sharply during the first half of the year, suggesting either more people are driving to T stations or less money is now being siphoned away as a result of an ongoing investigation into missing funds. The numbers for the first six months of the year indicate(...)

Baker to nix VMT pilot bid

Won't even test vehicle-miles-traveled fee

By Matt Murphy and Michael P. Norton Charlie Baker, Taxes and Budget Issues 0 Comments Aug 9, 2016

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE WHEN GOV. CHARLIE BAKER signs a highway and small bridge repair funding bill on Wednesday, the Republican governor plans to nix a proposed pilot program to test a system that would charge drivers based on how many miles they drive. Labeling the vehicle-miles-traveled pilot program a “tax,” Baker said he will(...)

Returns, temporarily, $31.2m in appropriations

By Bruce Mohl MBTA 0 Comments Aug 8, 2016

HERE’S A TWIST: the Baker administration needed financial help from the MBTA to balance the state’s fiscal 2016 budget. To help close a fiscal 2016 budget shortfall, the Baker administration withheld a $15.6 million T appropriation for June and asked the T to return a similar-sized appropriation for May. State officials say the $31.2 million(...)

T board OKs $15m more for Green Line ext.

Feds may give hint this week on $1b pledge

By Bruce Mohl MBTA 0 Comments Aug 8, 2016

THE MBTA’S FISCAL MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL BOARD on Monday approved spending another $15 million on the Green Line extension even as state officials said they expected to hear this week whether the federal government would honor its earlier commitment to provide $1 billion for the project. John Englander, the MBTA’s legal counsel, said the T(...)