Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about MBTA

MBTA buses carrying police wait near the Heath Street Green Line stop on the evening of Thursday, June 4, as peaceful protesters gathered nearby. Photo courtesy of Jessica Feldish.

Responding to Intense Criticism, T Will Stop Bussing Cops to Protests

By Christian MilNeil | Jun 5, 2020 | No Comments

In the past 24 hours, the agency had come under intense scrutiny from its workers, city officials, and its oversight board for using public transit vehicles as troop transports to peaceful protest sites around the city.

The MBTA closed most of its downtown subway stations Sunday night, escalating tensions as thousands of Black Lives Matter protesters struggled to get home.

How T Closures Escalated Post-Protest Tensions

By Christian MilNeil | Jun 4, 2020 | 2 Comments

Management at the MBTA is facing intense criticism after shutting down core subway stations on recent evenings, leaving thousands of its riders stranded and trapped among the belligerent police forces they were protesting against. On Sunday evening, thousands of people participated in a peaceful march from Nubian Square to the State House. As night fell […]

A network of quick-build bike lanes will take shape in downtown Boston this summer as part of the city's "healthy streets" initiative. Courtesy of the City of Boston.

Mayor Walsh Announces Details of New ‘Healthy Streets’ Initiative

By Christian MilNeil | May 28, 2020 | 1 Comment

The initial plans include a network of new protected bike lanes across downtown Boston and around the Public Garden, expanded bus stop waiting areas, and processes to let restaurants expand their outdoor seating areas on sidewalks and on-street parking lanes.

A CharlieCard on top of stacked dollar bills

MBTA Takes Small Steps to Improve Fare Equity

By Christian MilNeil | May 27, 2020 | No Comments

The MBTA’s governing board approved some small but significant changes in the agency’s fare policies at a meeting last week to improve fare equity for minority and low-income riders. For years, in order to encourage use of reusable CharlieCards, the MBTA has charged higher prices for riders paying with cash or with the paper “CharlieTickets” […]

A meeting of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board in December 2017. Courtesy of MassDOT.

The MBTA’s Pandemic Woes Include a Looming Governance Vacuum

By Christian MilNeil | May 18, 2020 | No Comments

It’s looking increasingly likely that the MBTA’s governing board, which was established in state legislation in 2015 to guide the agency back to a state of good repair and sound management after a disastrous year of service interruptions, will dissolve at the end of June with no dedicated replacement.

A new Orange Line train at Assembly Station in summer 2019. Courtesy of the MBTA.

Pandemic Adds to Delays for New Orange and Red Line Cars

By Christian MilNeil | May 15, 2020 | No Comments

The new Orange and Red Line cars are a key element in the T's ambitions to reduce crowding on its two busiest subway lines.

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