Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about Transit

The new Tobin Bridge bus lane, looking towards Charlestown, in December 2020. Courtesy of the MBTA.

MBTA Board Updates: Advocates Press for Another Tobin Bridge Bus Lane

By Christian MilNeil | Feb 22, 2021 | No Comments

The MassDOT Board of Directors and the MTBA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) held a joint meeting on Monday afternoon with updates on planned transit service cuts, construction projects, and post-pandemic ridership projections. Here’s our roundup: Another Tobin Bridge Bus Lane? During the MassDOT board meeting, a number of public commenters praised the Baker […]

Kennedy Plaza bus hub in downtown Providence, RI

RI’s Kennedy Plaza Plan Faces Civil Rights Challenge

By Christian MilNeil | Feb 9, 2021 | No Comments

The complaint alleges that "the RIDOT plan to dismantle the central bus hub in Kennedy Plaza... will impose additional and unnecessary transfers, longer commute times and system confusion for thousands of riders."

Porter Square in Cambridge. Courtesy of Google Maps.

Cambridge Starts Planning for Bus, Bike Improvements Through Porter Square

By Christian MilNeil | Feb 5, 2021 | No Comments

Joseph Barr, Cambridge Director of Traffic, Parking, and Transportation, wrote in a memo to the City Council that the city is "in the process of hiring a consultant to support the design of quick-build separated bike lanes along Massachusetts Avenue from Roseland Street to Beech Street through Porter Square."

Traffic congestion on I-93 southbound in downtown Boston, pictured around 2 pm on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

Baker’s Climate Plans Presume A Future With Lots of Driving

By Christian MilNeil | Jan 18, 2021 | 1 Comment

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.

A double-parked Lyft driver waits outside of the South Station bus terminal on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

Higher Uber/Lyft Fees Could Boost Funding for Street Safety and Transit

By Christian MilNeil | Jan 14, 2021 | No Comments

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.

The Massachusetts State House in downtown Boston.

Final Bond Bill Sets 20-Cent ‘Transit Access Fee’ For Uber/Lyft Rides

By Christian MilNeil | Jan 6, 2021 | No Comments

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.

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