Baker admin taking the lead on carbon pricing effort

Despite resistance to new revenue, initiative could finance investments

By Andy Metzger carbon pricing, RGGI, taxes, Transportation Climate Initiative 0 Comments Apr 29, 2019

WHILE GOV. CHARLIE BAKER has resisted entreaties from his own appointees to come up with new revenues for transit, his administration has taken the lead on a multi-state effort to do pretty much that, or something similar. The Transportation Climate Initiative, which will hold an all-day workshop at the Boston Public Library on Tuesday, is designing(...)

MBTA’s electrification priorities stuck in traffic

An electric bus fleet could solve many problems

By Veena Dharmaraj and Paola Massoli electric bus, MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Apr 27, 2019

THE MBTA’S RECENT FOCUS40 REPORT outlining the 25-year investment plan to meet the transportation needs of the Greater Boston region makes no commitment to procuring electric buses beyond the testing of five electric buses on the Silverline through 2023. This plan lacks a sense of urgency, especially when we need bold action to invest in a modern,(...)

Where did Baker stand on Massport congestion plan?

Reports saying he backed original plan may have overstated his position

By Bruce Mohl Charlie Baker, Transportation 0 Comments Apr 25, 2019

This story’s headline and some of the wording was changed to clarify the governor’s position. NEWS OUTLETS reported on Wednesday that Gov. Charlie Baker supported Massport’s aggressive anti-congestion proposal at Logan International Airport, but on Thursday the Massport board that is filled with his appointees voted to modify the proposal to make it less onerous(...)

Under Uber, Lyft pressure, Massport scales back anti-congestion plan

Lowers ride-hailing fees; allows significant curb access

By Bruce Mohl Transportation 0 Comments Apr 25, 2019

IN THE FACE of strong opposition from Uber and Lyft, the Massport board scaled back its anti-congestion plan at Logan International Airport on Thursday by reducing the proposed fee hike on ride-hailing trips and allowing drop-offs at the curb for a large number of passengers. The board lowered the proposed fee for ride-hailing pickups and(...)

Baker: New taxes not needed to address congestion

Governor's stance puts him at odds with lawmakers, business groups, and public

By Matt Murphy and Michael P. Norton Transportation 0 Comments Apr 24, 2019

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE FACING BLAME from Democrats for mounting public frustration with clogged roads and public transit problems, Gov. Charlie Baker touted his administration’s plan to pour more money into transportation over the next five years than “in any five-year period outside of the Big Dig,” but said the state doesn’t need to raise(...)

Commuters weary of road and transit problems

Poll says voters support new funding to address challenges

By Sarah Betancourt 0 Comments Apr 24, 2019

MASSACHUSETTS VOTERS ARE feeling stressed over crowded roadways and unreliable public transit systems, and express little optimism that situation will improve in coming years, according to a new poll. More than half of full-time workers who commute by car say they’ve been late for work because of traffic in the last few months, while 63(...)

Uber: 10,000 customers petitioned Massport

Complain about plan to hike fees, move pickup-dropoff location

By Bruce Mohl Transportation 0 Comments Apr 23, 2019

UBER SAID 10,000 of its Massachusetts customers signed a petition to Massport over the last 24 hours complaining about a proposal to hike fees on ride-hailing apps at Logan International Airport. Uber also said it was launching a radio ad Tuesday to put more pressure on Massport in advance of a planned vote on an(...)

T notes: Fare gates coming to 3 commuter rail stations

Agency hires new administrator, commuter rail chief

By Bruce Mohl and Andy Metzger MBTA 0 Comments Apr 22, 2019

ESTIMATING THE MBTA’S COMMUTER RAIL operation lost between $10 million and $20 million last year due to fare evasion, the transit authority said on Monday that it plans to install fare gates at the South, North, and Back Bay stations next year. Officials said the gates would be capable of reading all fare media, including(...)

Baker comes up with South Coast Rail financing

Completion date moved back a year to late 2023

By Bruce Mohl MBTA, Transportation 0 Comments Apr 22, 2019

This story was updated at 5:50 p.m. GOV. CHARLIE BAKER followed through on a first-term campaign promise on Monday by dedicating more than $1 billion in state bond funds to the South Coast Rail project, which is now expected to be completed after his second term ends. The funding commitment followed three cost and schedule(...)

T hires new administrator and commuter rail chief

Panagore and DiAdamo both have experience locally

By Andy Metzger chief administrator, David Panagore, hires, MBTA, Rob DiAdamo 0 Comments Apr 22, 2019

DAVID PANAGORE, WHO has described his career in government as a “theater director” and worked on turnaround efforts in Chelsea and Springfield, will now take a role backstage for Boston area transit riders as chief administrative officer of the MBTA. A lawyer who has studied engineering, politics, philosophy, and physics in addition to theater, Panagore received(...)