Tracking Transportation

Keeping track of transportation

Privatized MBTA transit ambassadors deserve better

Low wages, dangerous working conditions, stabbing prompt union organizing

By Mike Vartabedian MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Dec 12, 2020

THE NEWS THAT ONE of the MBTA’s transit ambassadors was stabbed the other day while at work in Copley Station on the Green Line is troubling but not surprising. These workers were part of a privatization effort at the T back in 2016 and currently work for a company called Block by Block. While talking to(...)

Time to complete more Complete Streets

Lawmakers need to act on $50m, but more needed

By Betsy Johnson and Josh Ostroff Transportation 0 Comments Dec 12, 2020

THE PANDEMIC has upended many things, including how many of us get around. One difference is a big increase in walking and bicycling. In every community, people are getting outdoors more often, which is good for our health and a change for the better. But many of our roads and sidewalks were designed primarily with(...)

Hull may get a break from T cuts

Community faced loss of all MBTA service

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Dec 11, 2020

WHEN THE MBTA announced a series of proposed service cuts in October, Hull found itself in an unusual situation. The South Shore municipality quickly learned the proposed cuts called for the elimination of all ferry service, which would have ended the community’s most direct link to Boston. Another proposed service reduction hit even closer to(...)

11 T workers suspended for not wearing masks

An additional 52 employees received written warnings

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Dec 10, 2020

THE MBTA said it has suspended 11 employees without pay for violating the transit authority’s policy on wearing face masks. Another 52 workers have received written warnings and 90 verbal warnings. An MBTA spokesman said the suspensions have ranged from one to five days, depending on the employee’s past disciplinary record. The written warnings must(...)

63 MBTA employees infected with COVID-19

Subway headways expanded to free up workers

By Bruce Mohl COVID-19, MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Dec 7, 2020

MBTA GENERAL MANAGER Steve Poftak said on Monday that 63 of the agency’s employees currently have COVID-19, up from 50 last Wednesday. Poftak said for every worker with COVID-19 there are usually two others affected, mostly because they came in contact with the infected individual and have to quarantine while they await the results of(...)

MBTA to back off some of its service cuts

Few details, but theme is cut service, not eliminate it

By Bruce Mohl Charlie Baker, MBTA, Taxes and Budget Issues, Transportation 0 Comments Dec 7, 2020

MBTA OFFICIALS indicated on Monday that they are preparing to back off some of their proposed service cuts because of feedback from the public and changing budget conditions. No specifics were provided, but the officials indicated they may withdraw proposals to eliminate certain types of service entirely or at specific times. For example, the T’s(...)

T far more forgiving than DCR on rents

MBTA gives 56 tenants a break; DCR only 3 so far

By Colman M. Herman MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Dec 6, 2020

THE STATE’S TWO largest landowners – the MBTA and the Department of Conservation and Recreation – are both forgiving rent of some of their tenants during the coronavirus pandemic, but the T has been far more generous than DCR. The MBTA so far has forgiven a total of $1.1 million in rent for 56 tenants,(...)

MBTA service cuts called unnecessary

Advisory board says agency overestimating its budget deficit

By Chris Lisinski MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Dec 3, 2020

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE MBTA OVERESTIMATED its budget deficit and could erase its argument for a controversial package of service cuts by using a less conservative outlook, according to an independent oversight panel representing cities and towns that help fund the transit system and are served by it. Less than two weeks before T(...)

Poll shows little support for MBTA service cuts

Ending weekend commuter rail service draws most opposition

By Matt Murphy MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Dec 3, 2020

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A MAJORITY of Massachusetts residents believe that if the MBTA sharply cuts back on services to balance its budget next year those commuting options will not return after the state’s economy fully reopens, according to a new MassINC poll. The MBTA has proposed a variety of service cuts as part of(...)

Mass. should follow California’s lead on contractors

Prop. 22 is a roadmap for Bay State to follow

By Christopher Gilrein Economics, Transportation 0 Comments Dec 2, 2020

WITH THE 2020 Massachusetts election behind us, state lawmakers have returned to Beacon Hill to finish one unprecedented session, while also preparing to begin the next. Health care, policing, and climate change are commanding lawmakers attention for the rest of 2020, but debates around transportation and economic development also remain to be settled, and both(...)