Recent Streetsblog MASS posts about Transit

Bar chart illustrating monthly bus driver active headcounts and vacancies since January. The number of vacancies increased slightly in the months Jan. to March but decreased slightly in May.

MBTA News Briefs: Finally Some Better News on Bus Driver Hiring

By Christian MilNeil | May 12, 2023 | No Comments

The MBTA’s three board committees met on Thursday morning with three newly-appointed members to discuss its new 5-year capital plan, hiring updates, and meet the MassDOT’s newly-hired Chief Safety Officer. Incentives for new bus drivers get traction For the past several months, the board’s Workforce Committee has been getting regular updates on hiring efforts, with […]

The gold-plated dome of the Massachusetts State House against a blue sky, with the Massachusetts flag flying to the right of the dome in the foreground.

State House Transportation Committee Discusses Bills Regarding East-West Rail, T Oversight

By Christian MilNeil | May 8, 2023 | No Comments

The legislature’s Joint Committee on Transportation hosted a hybrid in-person and virtual public hearing on Monday afternoon to discuss several bills related to transit expansion projects, East-West rail, and MBTA oversight. You can find hearing details – including information about how to attend in person or submit testimony virtually – at the Massachusetts Legislature’s website. […]

A PVTA electric bus on the Holyoke-Springfield P21E route recharges at Springfield Union Station in this August 2018 photo. Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Pi.1415926535, licensed under the Creative Commons BY-SA 3.0 license.

The T’s New 5-Year Capital Budget Puts Climate Progress In A Slow Zone

By Christian MilNeil | May 4, 2023 | No Comments

The T's latest Capital Investment Plan continues to postpone the transformational projects that will be necessary to electrify transit vehicles and lure more riders out of their cars.

A blurry security camera image of the Harvard Red Line station platform. About half a dozen passengers are waiting there, some standing near the tracks, some sitting on benches along the wall, and a large puddle in the middle of the platform is marked by a large orange construction cone.

Are We Feeling Safe Yet? Falling Utility Box at Harvard Station Contained Forgotten Homeland Security Surveillance Equipment

By Christian MilNeil | May 3, 2023 | No Comments

“The box that became dislodged was part of a 2011 pilot program led by the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and funded by the Department of Homeland Security, to house sensors capable of detecting and identifying biological agents,” said an MBTA spokesperson.

Gov. Maura Healey (left), with MassDOT Undersecretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, MassDOT Secretary Gina Fiandaca (at podium), and Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll (right) at an MBTA press conference in the T's Operations Control Center in downtown Boston on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

Gov. Healey Shakes Up MBTA Board, Replacing Three Baker Nominees

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 21, 2023 | No Comments

With these three new appointments, Gov. Healey will have replaced a plurality of the MBTA board of directors with her own appointees.

House Budget Proposal Would Shift More Funds From Highways to Transit

By Christian MilNeil | Apr 20, 2023 | No Comments

The House proposes a $70 million increase in state funding for regional transit authorities – a 74 percent increase in state support – to fund better bus service and potentially expand popular fare-free policies.

Show More Stories