Now that last year’s final ballot-approved law is in place (Gov. Charlie Baker signed the legislatively amended marijuana bill into law on Friday), Beacon Hill is gearing up for the […]
MBTA
Posted inTransportation
Poftak reports on commuter rail WiFi project
THE MBTA’S INTERIM GENERAL MANAGER on Monday laid out the benefits of a controversial WiFi commuter rail contract that calls for 74-foot towers along the tracks, but he acknowledged the […]
Posted inTransportation
T details Foxborough, overnight pilots
THE MBTA OUTLINED on Monday the cost and benefits of pilot projects that would provide overnight bus service in the Boston area and extend daily commuter rail service to Gillette […]
Posted inTransportation
Healey collects $1.1m from T parking lot operator
ATTORNEY GENERAL MAURA HEALEY’S office reached a settlement on Monday with the MBTA’s former parking lot operator, requiring LAZ Parking to pay the state $1.1 million to resolve allegations that its […]
Posted inThe Download
Another big mention for Moulton
Politico’s massive profile of Seth Moulton struggles with the opposing Beltway views of the congressman from Massachusetts: Is he a rank opportunist willing to say and do almost anything to […]
Posted inOpinion
Take long view, build N-S Rail Link
DESPITE THE SORRY STATE of Greater Boston’s commuter rail system, it manages to function well enough to carry nearly half of the city’s suburban commuters to jobs and other destinations. […]
Posted inTransportation
Real progress at the MBTA
ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO, the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board began what many thought to be a thankless if not hopeless task: Transform a fiscally and operationally broken MBTA […]
Posted inThe Download
McCain goes maverick-y
In the end, John McCain, whose career has been marked by periods of both swashbuckling independence and fall-in-line toeing-the-Republican party line, chose the former for what may go down as […]
Posted inThe Download
Another hit for football
We may be known as home to the reigning NFL champions, but Boston is also the center of research efforts that have methodically plowed through the defensive line the multibillion-dollar […]
Posted inTransportation
MBTA to get $4.5m in parking theft settlement
THE MBTA IS EXPECTED TO COLLECT $4.5 million as part of a legal settlement with its former parking lot operator, whose employees allegedly stole money from the T over a […]
Posted inThe Download
Baker facing resistance to MassHealth cuts
In Washington, the fight over the nation’s health care future is full of drama. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who is dealing with brain cancer, vowed to return to Capitol […]
Posted inTransportation
MBTA solicits proposals for bus garage outsourcing
THE MBTA ISSUED a request for proposals last Friday for its planned privatization of three bus maintenance garages located in Quincy, Lynn, and Boston, a move that has put the […]
Posted inThe Download
Baker (still) flying high
It’s great to be on top. Just ask Gov. Charlie Baker. The Republican governor has maintained his No. 1 ranking in the latest Morning Consult poll showing America’s Most and […]
Posted inThe Download
Another side to pot billboard
A billboard dispute in South Boston is proof that people can look at the same image and see something very different. The billboard carried this message: “States that legalized […]
Posted inTransportation
MBTA WiFi project put on 30-day hold
THE MBTA SAID ON FRIDAY that it is putting its $140 million commuter rail WiFi project on hold for 30 days while it gathers feedback from customers, residents, and appointed […]
Posted inPolitics, The Back Story, Transportation
Free bump on the Fairmount
Even two weeks of free rides on the Fairmount Line didn’t boost traffic that much, but they did expose more people to the least-used line on the MBTA’s commuter rail […]
Posted inTransportation
RIDE call center operator fined $100,000
THE MBTA FINED the operator of its paratransit call center $100,000 in May for a series of contract violations that resulted in poor service for customers. The fines equaled about […]
Posted inTransportation
T takes go-slow approach on alcohol ads
WARY OF OFFENDING the public, the MBTA’s Fiscal Management and Control Board on Monday directed the agency’s staff to redraft an alcohol advertising proposal to reduce exposure to young transit […]
Posted inTransportation
T laying 2 cables along same route
THE MBTA’S OVERSIGHT BOARD raised a lot of questions on Monday about the planned installation of more than 300, 75-foot towers to improve WiFi and cell phone service on commuter […]
Posted inTransportation
T spending $2.2m on replacement bus service
THE MBTA SAID ON MONDAY it intends to spend roughly $2.2 million on heavily subsidized station-to-station bus service for commuter rail customers who are left without train rides on weekends […]
Posted inTransportation
T commuter rail WiFi plan under fire
LOCAL OPPOSITION appears to be growing to the MBTA’s plan to install more than 300, 75-foot poles along the commuter rail system to provide WiFi service to people riding trains. […]
Posted inTransportation
Interim T chief to be paid $260,000
STEVE POFTAK, who will be taking over as interim general manager of the MBTA on July 1, signed a contract with the authority that calls for him to be paid […]
Posted inState House News Service, Transportation
T says pension problem worsening
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE MBTA PENSION FUND’S problems have been festering for years, but T officials this year did not include $9 million in funds needed to pay retirees […]
Posted inTransportation
Pollack: Faster pace needed on climate change
TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY STEPHANIE POLLACK said on Tuesday that the mindset of the state bureaucracy needs to change and change fast if Massachusetts is going to have any chance of responding […]