Tracking Transportation

Keeping track of transportation

CSX merger with Pan Am is good for region

Would lead to improvements in infrastructure, operations

By Tim Murray Transportation 0 Comments Aug 6, 2021

THROUGHOUT MY CAREER in both public office and private industry, I’ve worked alongside like-minded New Englanders to help create economic opportunity throughout our region. This is true of my tenure as lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, my terms as mayor and city council member in Worcester, and in my current role as president/CEO of the Worcester(...)

Biden proposes ambitious electric vehicle plan

Could help Mass. efforts to up sales of zero emission vehicles

By Bruce Mohl Climate change, Transportation 0 Comments Aug 5, 2021

THE BIDEN administration announced a series of policy measures on Thursday designed to accelerate the country’s embrace of electric vehicles, a move that should make it easier for states like Massachusetts to meet their climate change goals. The White House said it plans to increase fuel efficiency standards for vehicles and place new restrictions on(...)

Lawmakers reach deal on new MBTA oversight board

Also revive and extend pandemic-era election policies

By Chris Lisinski Elections, Transportation 0 Comments Jul 16, 2021

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE LAWMAKERS REACHED a compromise Friday on a new MBTA oversight board and rules that would allow voters in cities and towns with municipal elections this summer and fall, including Boston, to cast their ballots by mail without an excuse or in person during early voting days. After allowing pandemic-era election policies(...)

Feds throw ‘huge wrench’ in I-90 Allston project

They say at-grade design violates flood plain regulation

By Bruce Mohl Transportation 0 Comments Jul 16, 2021

THE MOST POPULAR configuration for the I-90 Allston interchange is facing yet another hurdle, as the Federal Highway Administration sent state officials a terse letter saying the current design is not viable because it violates federal flood plain regulations. In a letter dated June 22, Jeffrey McEwen, a division administrator for the federal agency, said(...)

Lawmakers add $150m to transportation infrastructure bill

Extra money for grants for bus lanes, electric vehicles, other projects

By Matt Murphy Transportation 0 Comments Jul 16, 2021

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE LEGISLATURE passed an infrastructure bill on Thursday that had been under negotiation for several weeks, padding the traditional $200 million in annual financing for local road and bridge repairs with $150 million spread across six grant programs to pay for bus lanes, electric vehicles, and other municipal transportation projects. The(...)

Can Massachusetts avoid the return of horrible congestion?

Experts warn traffic could skyrocket this fall without action

By Shira Schoenberg MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jul 9, 2021

IF YOU THOUGHT traffic was bad before the pandemic, wait until this fall. “I don’t think anyone wants to take the T,” said Emily, who has driven to work since last summer, but recently restarted taking the MBTA, due to the lack of a parking space and worsening traffic. In 2019, Boston area drivers already(...)

T radio ads ask riders to return

Agency launches $40,000, one-month campaign

By Colman M. Herman MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jul 8, 2021

THE MBTA is running a modest $40,000 radio advertising campaign in an effort to put passengers back in the seats at a time when ridership remains a fraction of what it was pre-pandemic and road congestion is rising. Entitled “We’re Ready,” the campaign extols the virtues of riding the T from a convenience, safety, and(...)

Weekend commuter rail resumes on all lines

T adds Sunday Needham service, but not way community wanted

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jul 2, 2021

THE MBTA is resuming service on all commuter rail lines this weekend, and even launching trains to Needham on Sundays in a way the community opposes. The T suspended weekend commuter rail service in January on the Fitchburg, Franklin, Greenbush, Haverhill, Kingston, Lowell, and Needham lines because of reduced demand caused by COVID. Weekend service(...)

Bus is finally getting the respect it deserves

Collaboration, leadership yielding tremendous progress

By Laurel Paget-Seekins MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jul 2, 2021

A FEW YEARS AGO I started dating someone who joked that if she ever asked me to marry her it would have to be on the 111 bus because I talked about it so much. She knew I worked for the MBTA, and it didn’t take long for her to realize it was buses that(...)

Low-income commuter rail fares are a no-brainer

It’s not a matter of finance; it’s a question of vision, will

By Ben Forman MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Jul 1, 2021

LAST MONTH, members of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board took one last stand to advance a low-income fare program before their tenure over the agency expired. The board has valiantly prodded the agency to provide discounts to low-income riders for a number of years, but progress remained elusive. In a final vote, board(...)