Tracking Transportation

Keeping track of transportation

House passes ride-sharing legislation

Taxi industry and Uber, Lyft voice complaints about bill

By Colin A. Young and Katie Lannan Transportation 1 Comment Mar 9, 2016

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Despite concerns raised by both taxi drivers and the newer app-based ride companies competing with them for passengers, the Massachusetts House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill establishing a regulatory structure for the ride-for-hire industry. The legislation, which now moves to the Senate, creates a state division to oversee transportation network(...)

Claims on T retirement fund ‘lack merit’

Forensic accounting firm says allegations of inaccuracies 'unfounded'

By Michael P. Norton MBTA 0 Comments Mar 9, 2016

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE A forensic accounting firm hired by the MBTA Retirement Fund in the wake of a report alleging significant inaccuracies in the fund’s financial reporting has concluded that the allegations are “unfounded” and “lack merit.” The FTI Consulting report was assembled by a team of accountants and actuaries in recent months after(...)

T hikes fares despite angry takeover

Officials slightly lower increases for The Ride, seniors, students, bus users

By Jack Sullivan MBTA, State Government, Taxes and Budget Issues, Transportation 0 Comments Mar 7, 2016

THE MBTA OVERSIGHT BOARD ON MONDAY approved a fare increase of more than 9 percent starting July 1 despite angry, vocal protests that disrupted the hearing and forced board members to shout into microphones to have their voices and their votes heard. By a unanimous 5-0 vote, the T’s Fiscal Management and Control Board passed the(...)

Uber offers temporary $5 late-night fare

Company says service will make T transition easier

By Andy Metzger MBTA 0 Comments Mar 7, 2016

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Uber plans to offer its pool car service at reduced fares on early-morning weekend hours to help people “transition” out of extended-hours MBTA weekend service, which is set to end March 19. Chris Taylor, general manager of Uber in Boston, announced the temporary discounted service at a meeting of the MBTA(...)

T board to unveil new online dashboard

Officials say pay for senior execs ‘noncompetitive’

By Bruce Mohl MBTA 1 Comment Mar 7, 2016

THE FIVE MEMBERS of the MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board on Monday briefed state lawmakers on their progress, offering a glimpse of a new online dashboard that will chart system performance, promising significant capital investments over the coming years, and warning that the transit agency’s compensation for senior executives “is simply noncompetitive.” The new(...)

Don’t regulate Uber out of existence

Ride-sharing firms reduce drunk driving

By Colleen Sheehey-Church Transportation 1 Comment Mar 4, 2016

EVERYONE LIKES TO HAVE OPTIONS. Massachusetts certainly has plenty of them. Hundreds of colleges and universities, some of the best sports teams in the country, and countless lively bars and restaurants. As residents and visitors alike enjoy all the Commonwealth has to offer, we need to be extra vigilant against the dangers of drunk driving(...)

House bill: No fingerprinting for Uber drivers

Pickups at Logan would continue to be prohibited

By Matt Murphy Transportation 1 Comment Mar 4, 2016

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE DRIVERS FOR RIDE-FOR-HIRE SERVICES such as Uber would have to undergo a two-step background check process, but would not be required to submit to fingerprinting under a bill prepared by House leaders to regulate the growing industry. Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, the House chair of the Financial Services Committee, on Friday released a(...)

Walsh backs MBTA fare hike

Boston's mayor says the T needs the money

By Andy Metzger 3 Comments Mar 3, 2016

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE WITH A VOTE ON FARE HIKES expected Monday, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh on Wednesday gave general support to the idea of charging riders more for MBTA service. “Fare hikes are never positive. They’re never popular, but the MBTA needs money. And that’s the bottom line,” Walsh told reporters before heading into(...)

Stagger the fare increase on T passes

Two-stage hike would ease impact on riders, businesses

By Richard Dimino MBTA 0 Comments Mar 3, 2016

ON MONDAY, MARCH 7, the MBTA Fiscal Management & Control Board (FMCB) is scheduled to vote on a specific fare increase plan that would take effect this July. The MBTA recently completed the public comment period on two specific fare increase proposals, one with a systemwide increase of 6.7 percent and the other with 9.7(...)

Pike open-road tolling moving into place

Overhead gantries are going up, replacing booths

By Colin A. Young Transportation 2 Comments Mar 1, 2016

STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE Massachusetts drivers can expect to see a lot more technology on the roads later this year when the Department of Transportation begins to roll out its all-electronic tolling program and a new real-time traffic management system. The most immediately noticeable change, especially for anyone who travels the Massachusetts Turnpike, will be(...)