Transportation in Massachusetts

State Policy Topics
Campaign Finance
Economy
Education
Energy and Environment
Health Care
Law and Justice
The Media
Transportation

News

• The Commonwealth: MBTA governance needs radical makeover, by James Aloisi (Jan 17, 2017)

2016

• Boston Herald: Battenfeld: Carmen's union bullies T bidders, GM says, by Joe Battenfeld (Sept 29, 2016)
• Boston Globe: MBTA could privatize maintenance and bus driver jobs, by Nicole Dungca (Sept 6, 2016)
• The Commonwealth: T parking revenue is up, but why?, by Bruce Mohl (Aug 11, 2016)
• The Commonwealth: The ghost of Stephanie Pollack, by CommonWealth Staff (May 12, 2016)
• Boston Globe: Scaled-back Green Line extension would still be one of the priciest projects in MBTA history, by Matt Rocheleau (May 9, 2016)
• Boston Herald: T delays release of firm’s findings on absenteeism, by Matt Stout (Mar 13, 2016)
• Boston Globe: Judge calls for open MBTA pension files, by Beth Healy (Mar 8, 2016)
• The Commonwealth: T board to unveil new online dashboard, by Bruce Mohl (Mar 7, 2016)
• Boston Globe: MBTA wrong to hike fares, unattributed (Mar 6, 2016)
• Boston Globe: MBTA board meeting to decide on fare increases, by Nicole Dungca (Mar 6, 2016)
• Boston Globe: Scaled-back stations for Green Line extension rile advocates, by Nicole Dungca (Mar 2, 2016)
• The Commonwealth: MBTA cancels late-night service, by Andy Metzger (Feb 29, 2016)
• Boston Globe: Commuter rail struggles with new locomotives, by Nicole Dungca (Jan 31, 2016)
• Boston Herald: MBTA’s sick time pension pad, by Erin Smith (Jan 26, 2016)
• Boston Herald: Decades-old pension plan draining MBTA, by Matt Stout (Jan 21, 2016)
• Boston Globe: MBTA had high rate of breakdowns in 2014 compared with other US transit systems, by Matt Rocheleau (Jan 19, 2016)
• The Commonwealth: A Beacon Hill switcheroo, by Bruce Mohl (Jan 7, 2016)
• Boston Herald: Chieppo: T’s retirement fund needs major fix, by Charles Chieppo (Jan 7, 2016)
• Boston Herald: MBTA’s runaway pay: Report reveals T paying workers top dollar, by Erin Smith and Matt Stout (Jan 7, 2016)
• Boston Herald: T loophole 
allows fat OT paydays, by Erin Smith and Matt Stout (Jan 5, 2016)

Dec 2015

• Boston Globe: 10 years later, did the Big Dig deliver?, by Anthony Flint (Dec 28, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Two previous MBTA drivers disciplined for tampering with train throttle, by Eric Moskowitz (Dec 23, 2015)
• The Commonwealth: T maintenance worker paid $315,000, by Andy Metzger (Dec 21, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Rail watchdog says MBTA ‘being crushed by a mountain of debt’, by Jack Encarnacao (Dec 14, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Late-night service, Green Line extension could get cut by MBTA, by Nicole Dungca (Dec 13, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MBTA repeats Big Dig mistakes, by Nicole Gelinas (Dec 13, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MBTA operator tied off throttle, didn’t set brakes on runaway train, by Eric Moskowitz (Dec 10, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Red Line train leaves station without operator, by Andy Rosen and Nicole Dungca (Dec 9, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MBTA notifies several firms working on Green Line extension that their contracts will be ended, by Martin Finucane (Dec 9, 2015)
• Boston Globe: State won’t rule out canceling Green Line extension, by Nicole Dungca (Dec 8, 2015)
• Transportation for Massachusetts blog: Cutting Transit Service Doesn't Save As Much As You Think, by Tony Dutzik (Dec 7, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MBTA looks at fare hikes, reopening union contracts to balance budget, by Nicole Dungca (Dec 6, 2015)

Nov 2015

• Boston Globe: Green Line project plagued with problems, consultants say, by Nicole Dungca (Nov 29, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Chabot: Pols look to cuts to save 
Green Line extension , by Hillary Chabot (Nov 23, 2015)
• Boston Globe: How much can Massachusetts save from driving less?, by Nicole Dungca (Nov 20, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Can late-night MBTA service be saved?, by Shirley Leung (Nov 19, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MBTA suddenly cancels contracts for Green Line public art, by Nicole Dungca (Nov 18, 2015)

Oct 2015

• Politico: Moulton: Look to Texas model for Boston rail link, by Lauren Dezenski (Oct 14, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Beverly Scott bows out of bid for NTSB post, by Matt Stout (Oct 6, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Logan chief: Terminal E must grow, by Jordan Graham (Oct 1, 2015)

Sept 2015

• The Commonwealth: Massport says Uber is deceptive, by Jack Sullivan (Sept 24, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Contracting process cited in ballooning costs of Green Line extension, by Nicole Dungca (Sept 13, 2015)
• The Commonwealth: Once again, MBTA maps out growing budget deficits, by Andy Metzger (Sept 9, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Chinese company to break ground on MBTA railcar plant, by Nicole Dungca (Sept 2, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Former advocate sees how much MBTA is a mess, by Yvonne Abraham (Sept 1, 2015)

Aug 2015

• The Commonwealth: T control board may hire Green Line consultant, by Gabrielle Gurley (Aug 31, 2015)
• The Commonwealth: MBTA's 'good repair' cost rises to $7.3b, by Andy Metzger (Aug 31, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MBTA panel: $7.3b needed to fix buses, trains, stations, by David Scharfenberg (Aug 30, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Pollack finds herself on opposite side of Green Line debate, by Stephanie Ebbert (Aug 30, 2015)
• The Commonwealth: Healey, Pollack at odds over casino, by Compiled by CommonWealth (Aug 28, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Charlie Baker will build the Green Line but on his terms, by Shirley Leung (Aug 27, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Possible delay of Green Line extension stuns investors, by Dan Adams (Aug 25, 2015)
• The Commonwealth: Green Line extension endangered, by Andy Metzger (Aug 24, 2015)
• Boston Globe: $1 billion increase in cost could imperil MBTA Green Line extension to Somerville, Medford, by Nicole Dungca (Aug 23, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MBTA exploring privatization of bus routes, including late-night service, union president says, by Nicole Dungca (Aug 19, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Dukakis, Weld team up to push link between North, South stations, by Shirley Leung (Aug 18, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Take aggressive steps to improve bicyclists’ safety, by The Editorial Board (Aug 16, 2015)
• Boston Globe: South Boston Bypass Road to open to all traffic for 6-month pilot program, by Dan Adams (Aug 11, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Death toll mounts for bicyclists on Boston's streets, by Nestor Ramos and Catherine Cloutier (Aug 11, 2015)

July 2015

• Boston Globe: State’s aging infrastructure worries businesses, by Sarah Shemkus (July 31, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Wynn aims to be first company to subsidize MBTA operations with Orange Line plans, by Jon Chesto (July 30, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MassDOT announces leadership shakeup at MBTA, by Nicole Dungca (July 29, 2015)
• Gloucester Times: More work needed to fix the T, by Jim Stergios and Charles D. Chieppo (July 27, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Baker names 5 to MBTA fiscal control board, by David Scharfenberg (July 16, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Report: MBTA lost $450M in savings because of Pacheco Law, by Matt Stout (July 8, 2015)
• The Commonwealth: Ridesharing choices must be protected, by Cathy Zhou (July 7, 2015)
• The Commonwealth: Uber is a transportation outlaw, by Stephen Regan (July 7, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Carmen's union honcho denies littering buses with MBTA reform agenda, by Erin Smith (July 1, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Montigny urges state lawmakers to address MBTA pension controversy, by Beth Healy (July 1, 2015)

June 2015

• Worcester Telegram: JetBlue adds checked bag fee, by Scott Mayerowitz, Associated Press (June 30, 2015)
• ItemLive.com: T plans to take hard look at commuter garage fix-ups, by Thor Jourgensen (June 30, 2015)
• Boston Business Journal: MBTA signs $222M deal with Canadian company for new hybrid buses, by David Harris (June 29, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Whistle-blower Markopolos questions T pension fund accounting, shares report with authorities, by Beth Healy (June 27, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Lobbying on MBTA overhaul intensifies, by David Scharfenberg (June 26, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Gov. Charlie Baker urges solons to give him more control over T, by Chris Cassidy and Matt Stout (June 23, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Lawmakers’ MBTA plan retains limits on fare hikes, by David Scharfenberg (June 23, 2015)

May 2015

• Boston Globe: Critics fault key findings in Baker panel MBTA report, by David Scharfenberg and Nicole Dungca (May 19, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Carmen’s PAC fined over $40G for pol cash discrepancy, by Matt Stout (May 1, 2015)

Apr 2015

• Commonwealth Magazine: T report misses mark on absenteeism numbers, by Steve Koczela (Apr 30, 2015)
• ItemLive.com: T management issues concern McGee, by Thor Jourgensen (Apr 29, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Carmen's union fights to keep time off, by Matt Stout (Apr 29, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Carmen’s Union rips ‘foolish’ findings of Baker MBTA panel, by Matt Stout (Apr 28, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Lawmakers question Baker’s study on MBTA, by Nicole Dungca (Apr 27, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Baker wants new body to oversee transit agency, by Nicole Dungca (Apr 22, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Baker asks board that oversees MBTA to resign, by Nicole Dungca (Apr 15, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Free MBTA from Pacheco Law, by Scot Lehigh (Apr 14, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Fate of T’s fed funds concerns watchdogs, by Richard Weir (Apr 8, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Panel cites management, not debt, for MBTA’s fiscal woes, by David Scharfenberg and Nicole Dungca (Apr 7, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MBTA didn’t spend $2b budgeted for crucial upgrades, by Nicole Dungca (Apr 7, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MBTA system strained by worker absences, report finds, by Nicole Dungca (Apr 6, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Panel calls for T to rein in its costs, by David Scharfenberg (Apr 5, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Business leaders urge MBTA to invest in expansion, by Nicole Dungca (Apr 1, 2015)

Mar 2015

• Boston Globe: MBTA learns from other cities after rough winter, by Nicole Dungca (Mar 30, 2015)
• Boston Globe: At the MBTA, a spending paradox, by David Scharfenberg (Mar 9, 2015)
• Boston Globe: MBTA sets upgrade costs at $6.7b, by Nicole Dungca (Mar 3, 2015)

Feb 2015

• Boston Globe: The MBTA’s long, winding, infuriating road to failure, by David Scharfenberg (Feb 14, 2015)
• Boston Herald: Hyundai sues over subway cars, by Chris Cassidy, Bob McGovern (Jan 21, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Budget squeeze may imperil late-night MBTA service, by Gintautas Dumcius (Jan 21, 2015)
• Boston Globe: Flaws sideline MBTA’s new commuter rail locomotives, by Walter V. Robinson (Jan 21, 2015)

2014

• Boston Globe: MBTA waits a year to tell of issues at hedge fund, by Beth Healy (Dec 22, 2014)
• Boston Globe: US pledges nearly $1b for Green Line extension, by Nicole Dungca and John R. Ellement (Dec 2, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Take away lawmakers’ easy way out on gas tax, by Tom Keane (Sept 30, 2014)
• Boston Globe: MBTA union to make pension benefits public, by Beth Healy (Sept 19, 2014)
• Mass Live: Massachusetts ranks low in highway system cost-effectiveness, study finds, by Shira Shoenberg (Sept 18, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Time to get serious, by James Aloisi (Sept 18, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Cost of Green Line extension to increase, by Andy Metzger (Sept 13, 2014)
• Boston Globe: July MBTA ridership grows despite fare hike, by Kiera Blessing (Aug 29, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Scrutiny eases on MBTA pensions, by by Beth Healy (July 4, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Group calls for changes in MBTA retirement fund, by Beth Healy (June 27, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Audit says MBTA station renovations poorly planned, by Martine Powers (June 17, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Will the Green Line Extension make Somerville real estate go crazy?, by Shira Springer (May 8, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Inaction in D.C. imperils state highway projects, by Noah Bierman (May 4, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Senate passes transportation bill, by Martine Powers (Apr 14, 2014)
• Boston Globe: MBTA’s late-night train service gets off to strong start, by Martine Powers (Apr 1, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Fare hikes on MBTA subway, bus and commuter rail services proposed, by Martine Powers (Mar 25, 2014)
• Boston Globe: MassDOT OK’s $75m for buses by ’18, by Martine Powers (Feb 13, 2014)
• Boston Globe: RMV fees may rise 10 percent, by Martine Powers (Jan 30, 2014)
• Boston Globe: Patrick whiffs on anti-privatization law, by Scot Lehigh (Jan 14, 2014)

2013

• Boston Globe: Ex-T pension chief recommended $25m investment that went bust, by Beth Healy (Dec 30, 2013)
• Boston Globe: Transportation law explained, by Eric Moskowitz (July 28, 2013)
• Boston Globe: Patrick vetoes transit, local funding from state's budget, by Michael Levenson and Stephanie Ebbert (July 13, 2013)
• Boston Globe: A better tax plan, by Edward L. Glaeser (May 2, 2013)
• Boston Globe: MBTA budget is OK'd with $118m shortfall, by Martine Powers (Apr 11, 2013)
• Boston Globe: Legislature's tax plan lets rare opportunity pass, editorial (Apr 4, 2013)
• Boston Globe: State gets scaled-back transit plan, by Martine Powers (Apr 3, 2013)
• Boston Globe: DeLeo's thriftier transit plan gets some applause, by Martine Powers (Mar 8, 2013)
• Boston Globe: DeLeo won't back Patrick's transit plan, by Martine Powers (Mar 7, 2013)
• Boston Globe: T paints bleak picture on funding, by Martine Powers (Mar 6, 2013)
• Boston Globe: MBTA plans budget despite uncertainty, by Martine Powers (Feb 27, 2013)
• Boston Globe: More hikes in Patrick's blueprint, by Michael Levenson and Noah Bierman (Jan 18, 2013)
• Boston Globe: Patrick's plan is far-reaching, and it deserves a hearing, editorial (Jan 17, 2013)
• Mass Live: Massachusetts faces $1 billion annual transportation funding gap, state report shows, by Shira Schoenberg (Jan 14, 2013)
• Boston Globe: Enormous costs tied to transit inaction, by Eric Moskowitz and Noah Bierman (Jan 13, 2013)
• Boston Globe: Patrick vows new funds for roads, rail, by Eric Moskowitz (Jan 5, 2013)

2012

• Boston Globe: Highway system, T face huge deficits, by Eric Moskowitz (Nov 20, 2012)
• Boston Globe: Mass. Senate passes MBTA bailout, by Eric Moskowitz (June 20, 2012)
• Boston Globe: House OK's bailout for T over Republican objections, unattributed (June 14, 2012)
• Boston Globe: House set to approve $49m in aid for MBTA, by Eric Moskowitz (June 12, 2012)
• Boston Globe: Big Dig pavement crumbles early; repairs to cost $1 million, by Eric Moskowitz (Jun 7, 2012)
• Boston Globe: Lawmakers yet to agree on bridging T funds gap, by Eric Moskowitz (May 28, 2012)
• Boston Globe: A Boston-Cape Cod train would ease traffic woes, editorial (May 19, 2012)

2013

• Boston Globe: Looking for a financial lift, by Martine Powers (Apr 22, 2013)

2012

• Boston Globe: MBTA rescue plan in jeopardy, by Eric Moskowitz (Apr 10, 2012)
• Boston Globe: MBTA board OK's fare hikes, service cuts in stormy session, by Eric Moskowitz (Apr 5, 2012)
• Boston Globe: 40% in survey support a state bailout for MBTA, by Eric Moskowitz (Apr 2, 2012)
• Boston Globe: Is driving a better deal?, by Martine Powers (Mar 20, 2012)
• Boston Globe: T trapped by debt, by Steven Syre (Mar 27, 2012)
• Boston Globe: MBTA crisis can't be ignored; time to tackle `Big Dig culture', by the Editorial Board (Mar 16, 2012)
• Boston Globe: MBTA must put Ride service on firmer financial footing, editorial (Mar 11, 2012)
• Boston Globe: Hundreds rip MBTA budget plan, by Travis Andersen (Feb 14, 2012)
• Boston Globe: Hobbled by Big Dig debts, the T needs new revenues, editorial (Jan 8, 2012)

2011

• Boston Globe: Report spotlights MBTA financial woes, by Eric Moskowitz (Oct 26, 2011)
• Boston Globe: MBTA board OK's millions for stations, by Eric Moskowitz (Oct 6, 2011)
• Boston Globe: Start the conversation on gas tax, by Derrick Z. Jackson (Sept 21, 2011)
• Boston Globe: For MBTA, `nuance' means `broke', by Paul McMorrow (Aug 5, 2011)
• Boston Globe: T unions lose on coverage battle, by Eric Moskowitz (Apr 20, 2011)
• Boston Globe: Boston's success depends on T, by Paul McMorrow (Apr 8, 2011)
• Boston Globe: T riders get one more year without fare increase, by Eric Moskowitz (Apr 7, 2011)
• Boston Globe: Governor aims to rein in auxiliary transit costs, by Eric Moskowitz (Apr 6, 2011)
• Boston Globe: Route 125 is called conduit for new development, by Katheleen Conti (Mar 27, 2011)
• Boston Globe: Unions must adjust to the new economic realities, by Charles Chieppo (Feb 25, 2011)
• Boston Globe: MBTA forges plan to reduce deficit, by Eric Moskovitz (Feb 23, 2011)
• Boston Globe: T payments to contractor challenged, by Eric Moskowitz (Jan 19, 2011)
• Boston Globe: Pacheco law blocks contracting, drives up cost of government, by the Editorial Board (Jan 7, 2011)

2010

• Boston Globe: Grand plans, big debts for MBTA, by Charles Chieppo (Nov 13, 2010)
• Boston Globe: T looks within to restore, repair Red Line cars, by Eric Moskowitz (Oct 24, 2010)
• Boston Globe: Patrick's reform record scrutinized from all sides, by Noah Bierman (Sept 19, 2010)
• CBS Local: Lawmakers divert gas tax funds (Sept 18, 2010)
• Boston Globe: State rejects Green Line bid, by Eric Moskowitz (Sept 8, 2010)
• Boston Globe: MBTA riding high with $1.2m surplus at close of fiscal year, best finish in 5 years, by Eric Moskowitz (Aug 15, 2010)
• Boston Globe: MBTA launches first of hybrid buses, by Eric Moskowitz (Apr 21, 2010)
• Boston Globe: From the Big Dig to the Turnpike Authority, what a long, strange trip it's been, by John Tlumacki (Mar 21, 2010)
• Boston Globe: Potholes driving many cars to garages, by Erica Noonan (Mar 15, 2010)
• Boston Globe: After complaints, MBTA alters design for South Acton rail station, by Jennifer Fenn Lefferts (Mar 14, 2010)
• Boston Globe: T cut means Orange Line drivers will go it alone, by Noah Bierman (Mar 4, 2010)
• Boston Globe: Fiscal woes at T roll on for another year, by Noah Bierman (Feb 28, 2010)
• Boston Globe: Bridge work adds hefty detail bill, by Noah Bierman (Feb 28, 2010)

2009

• Boston Globe: A system under strain, by Noah Bierman (Dec 6, 2009)
• Boston Globe: MBTA rolls in budget plan with eye on $160m bailout, by Noah Bierman (Mar 12, 2009)

2006

• The Commonwealth: Learning from the Big Dig, by Phil Primack (July 24, 2006)

1994

• Boston Globe: Commitments to foes raise Artery price tag, by Thomas C. Palmer Jr (Sept 13, 1994)

Reports

• Reason Foundation: 21st Annual Highway Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems (Sept 18, 2014)
• The way forward: a 21st century transportation plan, by MassDOT (Jan 2013)
• Background on the finances of the MBTA and Regional Transit Authorities, Blue Ribbon Summit on Financing the MBTA and RTAs (Nov 1, 2010)
• MBTA Review, by David F. D’Alessandro, Paul D. Romary, Lisa J. Scannell and Bryan Woliner (Nov 1, 2009)
• Transportation finance in Massachusetts: an unsustainable system, findings of the Massachusetts Transportation Finance Commission (Mar 28, 2007)
• Transportation finance in Massachusetts: building a sustainable transportation financing system, recommendations of the Massachusetts Transportation Finance Commission (Sept 17, 2007)

Resources

• Mass Dept of Transportation
• MBTA Scorecard, financials
• Mass Taxpayer Foundation
• Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional policy: Transportation