Legislation
News topics:
Baker Vetoes Key Policies In Transportation Bond Bill
Baker used his line-item veto power to delete many of the bill's policy proposals, including language that would have established a low-income transit fare program, guidelines and financing for the massive Allston Multimodal Project, and a proposal to raise more money for transportation projects with increased fees on Uber and Lyft rides.
January 18, 2021
Baker’s Climate Plans Presume A Future With Lots of Driving
Governor Baker's climate plan focuses most of its attention on subsidizing electric car purchases, and generally dismisses the potential of reducing pollution with transit-oriented development or expanded transit services.
January 18, 2021
Higher Uber/Lyft Fees Could Boost Funding for Street Safety and Transit
Historically, municipalities have used their share of fees on Uber and Lyft to finance local transportation improvements, including quick-build safety projects and small transit services. Under new legislation awaiting Governor Baker's signature, that funding could increase significantly.
January 14, 2021
Senate Considering $10B for Highway Teardowns
The Restoring Neighborhoods and Strengthening Communities Program — known among advocates as the “Highways to Boulevards” initiative — would be available for projects located in regions with a high concentration of low income residents or residents of color.
January 11, 2021
Bond Bill Boosts Proposal to Reconfigure Boston’s Charles Circle
"It would be the largest expansion of Esplanade parkland in decades," says Rep. Jay Livingstone, the state representative for the neighborhood.
January 7, 2021
Final Bond Bill Sets 20-Cent ‘Transit Access Fee’ For Uber/Lyft Rides
In 2018, there were about 50 million Uber and Lyft rides that originated in Boston and Cambridge alone, which could have contributed around $10 million in new revenue for the T had this policy been in place then.
January 6, 2021
It’s Decision Day for MBTA Service Cuts: Here’s What to Watch
To help fill a $600 million budget gap, the agency has proposed eliminating ferry service, ending dozens of lower-ridership bus routes, eliminating commuter rail service on nights and weekends, and closing several rail stations, including a portion of the Green Line in Mission Hill.
December 14, 2020
Rep. Pressley Calls on Feds to Fund Highways, Transit Equally
Since 1982, federal transportation funding has been governed by the "80-20 split," which restricts the federal Department of Transportation from spending more than 20 percent of its Highway Trust Fund money on transit projects, leaving the majority of federal funding for highway projects.
December 11, 2020
Poll Finds Strong Statewide Opposition to MBTA Cuts
64 percent of poll respondents oppose the MBTA's "forging ahead" service cuts, which include the elimination of 25 bus routes, ferry service, and weekend commuter rail service.
December 3, 2020
