Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The Boston Globe reports that 85 percent of those who responded to a survey on late-night MBTA service would be willing to wait at least 10 to 19 minutes for a bus or train.
A recent survey confirms what most of Boston and Brookline was already thinking: residents want late-night MBTA service. The Boston Globe reported Friday that about 26,000 people responded to a survey saying they are in favor of late-night bus or train service in Boston and Brookline. More than 85 percent of respondents said they would be willing to wait 10 to 19 minutes for a late-night bus or train, and half said they’d pay double the fare, according to the Globe. As MBTA officials scramble to close a $117 budget gap for fiscal year 2014, and legislators mull Gov. Deval Patrick’s 21st Century Transportation Plan, the T has said it is not making late-night service a priority. MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in a Feb. 21 email that, until…
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Without additional funding, MBTA officials are forced to make difficult choices.
MBTA riders could see fares go up in the not-so-distant future if legislators don’t accept Gov. Deval Patrick’s ambitious funding plan. T General Manager Beverley Scott said Tuesday the T will likely hold off on spending $45 million for preventative maintenance and hike fairs to close a projected budget gap of $117 million, factoring in increased ridership and advertising this year, the Boston Globe reported Wednesday. Director of Strategic Initiatives for the MBTA Charles Planck said at a March 5 MBTA finance committee meeting that fare increases could go up 33 percent under the proposal, which means subway fares would move up from $2 to $2.60. Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey testified before the…
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The MBTA launched a wireless internet program at some locations and on certain cars in 2008. The transit system is now looking for a sponsor to upgrade the product at no cost to the T.
The MBTA wants to upgrade its wireless Internet service, but without spending precious tax dollars. The Boston area transit system is seeking sponsorship proposals to provide upgraded wi-fi service on commuter rail cars, ferries and select commuter rail stations, according to an MBTA press statement in early March. “The MBTA’s goal is to upgrade the current WIFI service to a system wide, state of the art standard, at no cost to the MBTA and its riders,” the statement says. The sponsorship opportunity would provide the sponsor with marketing rights such as “signage and advertising in commuter rail stations, cars and ferry facilities; corporate presence on MBTA commuter rail system maps and schedules; control of a WIFI landing page; links on…
Friday, March 15, 2013
At the hearing, State Transportation Secretary Richard Davey outlined some aspects of Gov. Deval Patrick’s 10-year transportation budget plan, and included the need for new revenues.
The state transportation secretary answered legislators' questions regarding the Green Line Extension, the South Coast Rail project, MBTA infrastructure, maintenance issues and how an ambitious 10-year budget plan will handle all of it. Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey testified before the Joint Committee on Transportation Tuesday morning. He was there to formally present Gov. Deval Patrick’s 21st Century Transportation Plan which calls for a $13 billion investment over the next decade. The hearing focused on finding new revenue that could be put toward ailing infrastructure and sought after rail projects. “People want more, not less, of our product,” Davey began, “but the current system we have is…
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
In the aftermath of a Saturday night attack on a bus driver in Dorchester that involved up to 15 assailants, the Boston Carman's Union wants to make it possible for police to arrest suspects in such cases without a warrant.
The president of the MBTA operator’s union is calling for increased efforts on part of police, prosecutors and lawmakers in the wake of a 15-person attack on a bus driver in Dorchester Saturday. Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 John Lee said in a statement published on the union’s website March 10 that such attacks deserve immediate attention by state lawmakers. “The Boston Carmen’s Union ATU Local 589 is relieved and thankful that the Bus Driver, attacked in the early morning hours, was not more seriously injured,” the statement said. “However this assault by a reported mob on an isolated Local 589 member simply doing his job illustrates the need for public safety officials and the legislature to act quickly before a transit worker is …
Friday, March 8, 2013
Fare hikes and service cuts are a few options T officials proposed in an effort to close the $130 million budget deficit in 2014.
MBTA officials have proposed service cuts and fare increases if there is no increase in funding, based on a $130 million projected budget deficit in fiscal year 2014. Director of Strategic Initiatives for the MBTA Charles Planck said at a MBTA finance committee meeting that in order to close the budget gap T fares will need to go up 33 percent, which means subway fares would move up from $2 to $2.60, The Boston Globe reported Wednesday. There was also talk at the meeting of a 15 percent fare increase coupled with the possible elimination of up to 30 bus routes, according to the Globe. Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled an ambitious transportation plan in February that would potentially raise $1.02 billion per year for the next 10 years, some of …
Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Richard Davey was in Wakefield on Tuesday to make the case for Governor Patrick's transportation proposals.
The state must fund its transportation priorities to ensure economic growth and quality of life in the coming years, local business owners and others were told at a Tuesday morning small business forum in Wakefield. State Transportation Secretary Richard Davey was at the event, organized by State Senator Katherine Clark and the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce, to make the case for some of the priorities that Governor Deval Patrick laid out in his budget earlier this winter. "Some have called our plan ambitious... it's actually a bit sad that what we are mostly talking about is investing in our current system," Davey told the audience, going on to say that while "it's never a good time to raise taxes," it's also never a good time to be stuck …
Friday, March 1, 2013
Electronic devices - especially iPhones - are the most widely stolen items while using MBTA services.
MBTA Transit Police wrote in a blog post Tuesday that iPhones are the most widely thieved item on the T. Police also offered tips on how to keep your stuff safe while riding public transportation (from the blog post): Police also pointed to a public service announcement video on how to keep your stuff safe produced by New York's Metro Transit Authority.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Of the 43 robberies that took place on the MBTA system between Jan. 1 and Feb. 26, 36 involved the targeted thefts of electronic devices, specifically iPhones.
Staring at one’s cell phone while riding public transportation has become commonplace in today’s world, but transit police say this small, seemingly innocent practice could be contributing to electronic device thefts. Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 26, there were 43 robberies on the MBTA system, according to a post on the MBTA Transit Police blog. Thirty-six of those 43 thefts – or 84 percent – involved electronic devices, most notably smart phones such as the widely-used Apple iPhone. “Unfortunately, thefts of smart phones/electronic devices (most notably Apple products) is a nationwide trend,” the blog post says. “This trend often referred to as ‘Apple Picking’ is for the most part a crime of opportunity.” The blog post provides tips on how to …
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The MBTA reported a minor accident between a car and the Green Line on Monday night near the Comm. Ave and Pleasant Street intersection.
A minor accident between a car and the Green Line occurred on Monday night near the Comm. Ave and Pleasant Street intersection. MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo said around 8 p.m., a Green Line trolly struck an Audi that had become stuck on the T tracks. Pesaturo said the accident was minor, with one person reporting back injuries. According to transit police, the vehicle's operator said he was driving westbound on Commonwealth Avenue when he attempted to turn left onto Pleasant Street. The driver, a man from Cambridge, told police that as he crossed over the trolley tracks, his vehicle was struck by a Green Line train heading outbound. The driver said he was not injured and declined medical treatment. He was issued a ticket for failing to…
walter
9:31 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Mbta police should follow the the buses on bad routes or have undercover police on buses to protect the driver and riders.you know what happen in Dudley station most recently we don't need a repeat.see something.say something more ›