Tracking Transportation

Keeping track of transportation

We cannot return to pre-COVID congestion

A roadmap for attaining a new transportation vision

By James Aloisi MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments May 4, 2020

WE HAVE BECOME ACCUSTOMED to describing 21st Century innovations as “disruptive” to established practices and behaviors. Yet in this era of disruptive technology, historic inertia has prevented or slowed the advancement of more sustainable approaches to urban mobility. In large part, there is never enough consensus among a broad spectrum of individuals, thought leaders, and(...)

Empty roads lead to higher rate of traffic fatalities

State official: Drivers appear to be traveling much faster

By Bruce Mohl 0 Comments May 4, 2020

THE COVID-19 pandemic is having another deadly side-effect – a higher rate of fatalities on the state’s roads. The shutdown of Massachusetts to reduce the spread of the virus cut traffic volume 50 percent statewide and 70 percent in the Boston area. But the remaining drivers are traveling much faster on the empty roads and(...)

To revive economy, think infrastructure

It worked after the Great Recession and it can work now

By Timothy P. Murray Economics, Transportation 0 Comments Apr 30, 2020

THAT WE LIVE in uncertain and unprecedented times is a fact that does not need to be impressed on anyone. Over the past six weeks, it’s been forced upon all of us. That there’s nothing we can do about it is not a mindset into which any of us should fall. Amid the uncertainty caused(...)

Poftak: Federal funds may not be enough

Coming fiscal year looms as big unknown for T

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Apr 27, 2020

THE MBTA, after balancing this fiscal year’s budget with $217 million in federal coronavirus funds, expects to have $610 million left over to help balance next year’s budget. But General Manager Steve Poftak is saying the huge infusion of federal money may not be enough. “I think I’m on safe ground when I say it(...)

T approves $212m hike in fare collection contract

Total cost of proposed cashless system rises to $935m

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Apr 27, 2020

THE MBTA OVERSIGHT BOARD on Monday unanimously approved a $212 million amendment to its contract with a pair of private vendors to develop, install, and manage a new fare collection system, bringing the total cost to just over $935 million. T officials cautioned that the fare collection initiative is still contingent on the vendors refinancing(...)

Use debt to build out transportation infrastructure

May seem scary, but now is the right time

By Samarth Gupta MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Apr 19, 2020

THE COVID-19 CRISIS has put a $600 million transportation funding package in the Massachusetts Legislature on pause. Plummeting fare and tax revenues have left lawmakers faced with a dilemma: the need to invest more in our statewide transportation system remains urgent, yet the funding tools relied upon in “normal” times are untenable. Rather than delaying infrastructure(...)

T notes: Feds ride to rescue of T

Dedicated bus lanes set for run to Lechmere

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Apr 13, 2020

THE MBTA IS FACING a $231 million deficit for the fiscal year that ends June 30, but an influx of federal aid will wipe the slate clean and leave plenty left over for the coming fiscal year. Since the coronavirus outbreak, the T has been losing more and more money. Ridership under Gov. Charlie Baker’s(...)

With time short for board and contract, options limited

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Apr 13, 2020

WITH ITS SUNSET DATE 2 ½ months away, the MBTA’s oversight board is trying to decide whether it has any other option than to extend its existing commuter rail contract with Keolis Commuter Services through 2024. The T’s Fiscal and Management Control Board voted in November to pursue a major overhaul of the commuter rail(...)

Let’s plan for the coming ‘new normal’

A federal stimulus bill is chance to make real changes

By James Aloisi MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Apr 12, 2020

THE HEALTH CRISIS that has the world in its grip presents each of us with challenges the likes of which few have known. We are all living under stressful, trying circumstances for which there’s literally no playbook. Yet in circumstances like this it’s vitally important that those of us able to focus beyond the moment(...)

Virus notes: Concerns rise at long-term care facilities

Positive tests in Suffolk County more than double in 6 days

By Shira Schoenberg and Bruce Mohl covid 0 Comments Apr 2, 2020

RESIDENTS OF LONG-TERM CARE facilities across the state are testing positive for COVID-19 in growing numbers, raising concerns that the highly contagious virus could sweep through a very vulnerable population. Marylou Sudders, the governor’s secretary of health and human services, said on Thursday that there are 78 clusters of COVID-19 among the state’s 700 long-term(...)