Monday, April 15, 2013
Normal Green, Orange and Red line service resumed with 'significant residual delays' late Monday following the explosions at the Boston Marathon.
The Green Line's Copley station will remain closed on Tuesday following Monday's bombing at the Boston marathon finish line. All other regular T service has resumed on the MBTA's Green, Orange and Red lines, effective around 5:45 p.m. on Monday, according to MBTA.com. Park Street and Downtown Crossing stations have reopened. MBTA T service in downtown Boston was suspended on several lines Monday afternoon as emergency crews responded to the scene in Copley Square where two explosions occurred shortly after 2 p.m. The MBTA’s Green Line service between Kenmore and Park Street stations was shut down around 3:30 p.m. Monday, although Green Line service continued to run between Lechmere and North Station. Both the Green Line's B and C services…
Friday, April 12, 2013
Find out what MBTA stops will be closed during the 2013 Boston Marathon.
When there's a world-class road race headed right through your neighborhood, expect to see some delays in your public transportation. Despite Patriot's Day holiday status, all MBTA lines will be operating on their regular schedules. Information courtesy of the MBTA website: CHARLESTOWN PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates
Thursday, April 11, 2013
The submitted budget closes the 2014 gap, but without more funding riders could pay.
Though the submitted MBTA budget for the next fiscal year has been approved, it assumes additional funding will close the $118 million gap. The MBTA’s fiscal year 2014 $1.86 billion budget was approved at a meeting of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors Wednesday. The budget relies on either Gov. Deval Patrick’s “The Way Forward” transportation plan, which would pump $1 billion in revenues into the system by way of fare increases, fees and tax hikes, or another plan from either the House of Representatives, the Senate or both. If Patrick's plan is approved, the T will have a 5 percent fare increase next year to keep pace with inflation. If the plan is not approved by July 1, fare increases could go up to the …
Friday, March 22, 2013
The Boston Globe reports that 85 percent of those who responded to a survey would be willing to wait at least 10 to 19 minutes for a bus or train.
A recent survey confirms what most of Boston 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. 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 offering late-night service is not a priority. MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in a Feb. 21 email that until the state decides to …
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Without additional funding, officials say they will be 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 on Tuesday that 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 from $2 to $2.60. Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey testified …
Tuesday, March 19, 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 WiFi service on commuter rail cars, ferries and select commuter rail stations, according to an MBTA press statement. “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 the MBTA …
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
At a recent 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 this week 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 said. “But the current system …
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 Carmen's Union wants to make it possible for police to arrest suspects in such cases without a warrant.
The president of the MBTA operators union is calling for increased efforts on the part of police, prosecutors and lawmakers in the wake of a 15-person attack on a bus driver in Dorchester on Saturday. Boston Carmen’s Union Local 589 president John Lee said in a statement published on the union 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,” according to the statement. “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…
Friday, March 8, 2013
Fare hikes and service cuts are a few options T officials have 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 …
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.
Matthew
5:46 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
It won't happen. The MBTA is trying to find ways to cut services to people who need it. What makes anyone think that they'd even consider late night service? They don't care. more ›