streetsblog-mass-logo-alt

streetsblog-mass-logo-dark

lede_post_card_default

lede_post_card_stacked

lede_post_card_featured_post

lede_post_card_featured_posts_hero

lede_post_card_featured_posts_sidebar

lede_post_card_highlighted_post

lede_post_card_horizontal_a

lede_post_card_horizontal_c

lede_post_card_related_post

lede_article_featured_16x9

lede_article_featured_3x2

lede_article_featured_flexible

lede_article_content

lede_article_content_wide_width

lede_article_content_full_width

lede_byline_avatar_post_card

lede_byline_avatar_highlight

lede_profile_coral_avatar

lede_logo

lede_logo_banner

lede_logo_footer_banner

lede_logo_simple_header

lede_sponsorship_logo

lede_sponsorship_logo_river_card

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card_logo

lede_sponsorship_homepage_card

Header

Streetsblog Network

Connecting people to information about how to improve walking, biking, and transit

streetsblog-mass-logo

Streetsblog Massachusetts

Support StreetsblogMASS

SB-Donation-500px-wide

Donate to StreetsblogMASS house ad – homepage

River card donations house ad

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-bus-driver-shortage

Transit

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

<p>Got tips? Send them to me via Signal, the encrypted messaging app, at 207-310-0728. You can also follow me on <a href="https://better.boston/@cmilneil" rel="me">Mastodon.</a></p>


PROMO-milneil

Christian MilNeil

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.

Massachusetts_State_House_-_Boston,_MA_-_DSC04664

Advocacy Opportunities

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

A black bus with the words "ELECTRIC BUS" on its side parks in a parking lot under a white charger, which is supported by a large steel mast arm that's cantilevered over the bus. In the background are some city buildings.

PVTA_P21E_electric_bus_charging_at_Springfield_Union_Station,_August_2018

MBTA

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

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.

Harvard Red Line security camera footage

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

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.

FiandacaHealey-2.2.2023-cropped

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

Featured Reader Comment: The T’s Boss Got A Big Pay Raise; What About Bus Drivers?

A middle-aged Asian man in a suit and tie looks into the setting sun with the Boston Harbor behind him.

PhilEngOnEastBostonFerryApril2023

An Evening Cruise With Phillip Eng, the MBTA’s New Boss

Bar chart showing bus driver hiring trends since January. The first column for January shows that the T had 349 vacant positions vs. 1474 active drivers; the middle column for Feb. 2023 shows 353 vacancies vs. 1470 active drivers, and the right column for March shows 365 vacancies vs. 1458 active drivers.

mbta-bus-driver-shortage(2)

The MBTA’s Bus Driver Shortage Is (Still) Getting Worse

A bus rider pays their fare with their phone during a test of the T's new fare system on an MBTA bus in downtown Boston in January 2021.

Bus_New_CharlieCard_Reader_Phone_1.21.21_creditMBTA

Equity

The T’s ‘Fare Transformation’ Project Is Transforming Into A Boondoggle

Phillip Eng headshot: a middle-aged man with close-cropped hair wearing a dark grey suit and red tie.

Phil Eng

Former Long Island Transit Boss Phillip Eng Will Be T’s Next General Manager