T tells riders affected by tunnel diversions to stay home if they can

Other parts of system to shut down this weekend for repairs

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

IN ANNOUNCING the shutdown of subway service running through the tunnels underneath the Government Center parking garage, the MBTA laid out ways for riders to get where they need to go but ultimately concluded the smart move may be not getting on the T at all. “Because of expected delays as buses navigate downtown streets,(...)

Parts of Boston deserve lower commuter rail fares

By Corinne Thomas MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Mar 28, 2022

THIS WEEKEND, in a devastating demolition accident, the T came crashing down. A worker was tragically killed, the Government Center Garage partially collapsed, and shuttle buses are now replacing the subway downtown “until further notice.” Commuters across the city are charting circuitous paths to work and school and budgeting extra time to travel to and(...)

The T should not be playing fiscal musical chairs

Legislature needs to step up with additional funding

By James Aloisi Massachusetts Legislature, MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Mar 26, 2022

WE ARE HEADING for a massive MBTA operating budget deficit next year, and no one in power on Beacon Hill is doing anything about it. This is not a theory or hypothesis; this is a fact, something the T itself candidly acknowledges and has publicly stated. Why will this happen? And what can be done(...)

Suspending the gas tax doesn’t make sense

GOP proposal is a political stunt plain and simple

By James Aloisi Taxes and Budget Issues, Transportation 0 Comments Mar 25, 2022

WITH GAS PRICES recently soaring as a result of unscrupulous foreign oil cartels, greedy oil companies, and a bloodthirsty Russian autocrat, the Massachusetts GOP has a solution for Massachusetts drivers: let’s support these foreign and domestic troublemakers by depriving ourselves of funding to invest in better roads and bridges. When Speaker Ron Mariano called this(...)

MBTA ridership rebounding, particularly on commuter rail

Commuter rail now ‘marching in step’ with subway lines

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Mar 25, 2022

MBTA PASSENGER LEVELS, which took a hit earlier this year when COVID levels shot up, have recovered their lost ground and appear to be picking up steam, particularly on the commuter rail system. Commuter rail ridership a year ago was just 11.6 percent of pre-COVID levels. Passenger levels rose a bit in the last half(...)

MBTA in no big rush on electrification

There’s a plan for buses, but not for commuter rail

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Mar 25, 2022

THE MBTA is pushing ahead with electrification, but on its own terms. Transit advocates, climate activists, and many lawmakers are pushing the T to ditch its diesel buses and quickly embrace battery electric buses. They are also pressing the transit authority to start electrifying commuter rail lines, particularly those running through environmental justice communities, and(...)

Ct. suspends gas tax; Mass. Senate rejects the idea

Six Democrats join 3 Republicans in voting for proposal

By Matt Murphy State Government, Taxes and Budget Issues, Transportation 0 Comments Mar 24, 2022

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE AS MOMENTUM GROWS around the country for the suspension of state gas taxes, the state Senate on Thursday rejected a Republican-led push to pause gas tax collections through Labor Day even as Gov. Charlie Baker signaled he was warming to the idea. The vote in the Senate came the same day(...)

T needs to step up its game on ‘diversions’

Shuttle buses not cutting it during recent subway shutdown

By Jeremy Mendelson Massachusetts Legislature, Transportation 0 Comments Mar 24, 2022

TWO WEEKENDS AGO the MBTA did something previously unthinkable. It closed half of a major subway line, through downtown Boston, on a game day, with shuttle buses running from Back Bay to Sullivan. There was little notice and even less planning for running the buses that would shuttle people through dense Boston traffic, turning a(...)

MBTA shutting down chunk of Blue Line 13 days

Track replacement, tunnel repairs will affect 25,000 riders

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Mar 24, 2022

THE MBTA is preparing to take a large chunk of its busiest subway line out of service for 13 days starting April 2 to replace 1,800 feet of track and perform tunnel repairs. The shutdown on the Blue Line will affect an estimated 25,000 riders on weekdays and require them to take shuttle buses to(...)

A low-income fare would make a real difference

Public support is high, need is great

By Bri Nichols Transportation 0 Comments Mar 23, 2022

TWO MONTHS before my daughter was due to be born, I developed preeclampsia and had to be rushed from Brockton to Tufts Medical Center to give birth. My baby was in the neonatal intensive care unit for more than a month, and after I was discharged, I came in every day to visit her. The(...)