Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about MBTA

MBTA staff disinfect fare gates in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses in early March 2020. Courtesy of the MBTA.

Guest Column: T Shows Strong Leadership In COVID-19 Responses

By Caitlin Allen-Connelly | May 14, 2020 | No Comments

In the United States, 2.8 million transit riders – one-third of transit commuters – are considered “essential workers” during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the situation continues to evolve daily, a comparison of multiple transit agencies suggests that the MBTA, which just last December was the subject of a serious safety report, has become a national […]

A slide from a Monday, Dec. 10, 2019 MBTA board meeting illustrates a "demonstration project" proposal to increase bus service on two bus priority corridors in Somerville and Everett. Service improvements like this one face an uncertain future under a new budget proposal that would freeze hiring for bus and rail initiatives in 2021.

Budget Uncertainties Delay T’s ‘Better Bus’ and ‘Rail Vision’ Initiatives

By Christian MilNeil | May 6, 2020 | No Comments

With plummeting fare revenues and uncertain support from the state legislature, MBTA leaders are proposing a budget that would delay high-priority safety initiatives and bus service expansions. In the past year, the T’s Fiscal and Control Management Board (FMCB) has endorsed major projects like new bus route demonstration projects and the “Rail Vision” initiative, which […]

A CharlieCard on top of stacked dollar bills

MBTA Board Faces Criticism for Amending Fare Contract During Pandemic

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 27, 2020 | No Comments

Advocates want the board to have "an equitable and transparent" process to evaluate the project before the board takes action.

An MBTA Route 111 bus bound for Haymarket Station uses the new inbound bus lane on North Washington Street on October 9, 2019.

Demands of ‘Essential’ Work Put Boston’s Neighborhoods of Color at Higher Risk

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 27, 2020 | No Comments

'Essential' workers are more likely to live in the Boston region’s neighborhoods of color, according to an analysis by the ACLU of Massachusetts.

Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses at the Springfield Union Station in July 2017. Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Newflyer504, licensed under Creative Commons.

Washington Sends Over $1 Billion in Relief Funds to Bay State Transit Agencies

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 2, 2020 | No Comments

Massachusetts transit agencies will get just over $1 billion in emergency funding to help sustain service through the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The funding comes from a $25 billion line-item for transit assistance in the “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act,” the bill that quickly moved through Congress […]

The Blue Hill Avenue Fairmount Line stop, pictured in spring 2019. Courtesy of the MBTA.

T Restores Early-Morning Commuter Rail Trips For Health Care Workers

By Christian MilNeil | Mar 23, 2020 | No Comments

Responding to issues raised in a StreetsblogMASS report last week, the MBTA has announced that it will bring back early-morning commuter rail trains that will allow health care workers to get to work for their 7 a.m. shift change, even as the rest of the transit system continues to run on a reduced schedule. Last […]

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