Saturday, February 9, 2013
The transit shutdown will continue indefinitely.
[Updated Sunday, 10:48 a.m.] Looking to take the Green Line or the commuter rail in Newton? Well, you may want to keep shoveling out that car (or call a cab). As crews continue to dig out from the blizzard, MBTA service in Newton will remain suspended Sunday. Starting at 2 p.m., limited subway and bus service will run on the Red, Orange and Blue lines between Orient Heights and Government Center, and the Green Line between Kenmore and Lechmere, according to MBTA.com/weather. Limited bus service will also operate on the 1, 23, 28, 39, and Silver Line Washington Street only. Customers are encouraged to stay home and "use service sparingly," if possible, the website said. Commuter rail routes will remain suspended through Sunday. The MBTA …
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
A new device will be distributed to conductors on MBTA conductors that will give them real-time information about trains all across the rail system.
A new pilot program being dubbed “Conductor Companion” is being unveiled on the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority’s commuter rail system, putting complete details about train services across the system in the hands of conductors. The Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR), the contractor that runs the commuter railroad for the MBTA, made the announcement on Monday. Essentially it is a unique mobile application that will allow conductors on the MBTA commuter rail system to receive real-time information about service for the first time. “The speed of technology today demands an application that gives conductors the information they need and that customers want,” said Gillian Wood, MBCR’s chief customer service officer in Monday…
Monday, January 14, 2013
The board of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation released its 21st Century Transportation Plan, which outlines the state’s budgetary needs over the course of the next 10 years and beyond.
With infrastructure in need of repairs and the major city transit system steeped in billions of dollars of debt, the state may need to increase revenue from car registrations, licence renewals, taxes and tolls. The Board of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation released its 21st Century Transportation Plan Monday, which calls for a $13 billion overall investment in state transportations systems over the next decade. The breakdown is as follows, according to a statement associated with the plan released by Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey: To raise the necessary funds these recommendations will include an increase in the gas tax, payroll tax, sales tax or income tax; a new green fee on vehicle registrations; a …
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Gov. Deval Patrick plans to ask lawmakers to raises taxes to make up for the shortfall in Massachusetts' transportation system. What options should they consider — and what is off the table?
Would you be willing to pay more at the pump, have a tracking system on your car that taxes you by the mile, or see tolls on state highways? Those are just some of the possibilities looming as Massachusetts looks to erase the state's transportation system's deficit. The Boston Globe reported that Gov. Deval Patrick will ask lawmakers to raise taxes in order to pay for a transportation system—from the MBTA to roads and bridges—that continues to operate in the red. The administration will present a specific proposal by Jan. 7. One option is raising the gas tax, a route Patrick sought in 2009 only to be rebuffed by the legislature. Patrick sought a 19-cent hike, while business groups endorsed a 25-cent increase. Ultimately, the state Senate …
Monday, October 29, 2012
Plan your trip home accordingly.
If you braved the elements and took the T to work this morning, pack up your stuff now: The MBTA will shut down service at 2 p.m. due to severe weather caused by Hurricane Sandy. According to the T website, the service suspension includes subway, bus and commuter rail service. Ferry service had already been suspended earlier in the day. The Ride remains open but users are "strongly encouraged" to call the contractor for their area to see if service is available.
Friday, October 5, 2012
A deal was finalized between the state and CSX that transfers ownership to the commonwealth.
Starting Oct. 29, commuter rail riders between Worcester and Boston will see an increase in options, according to Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray. Murray said an agreement had been completed with CSX to tranfer ownership of the rail tracks and control of operations along the Framingham/Worcester line from CSX to the state. The increase in service will include three new inbound and three new outbound trains between the two cities for a total of 31 stops arriving or departing Worcester station. There will also be one inbound special express and one outbound special express next spring. The goal of 20 roundtrips will be hit a year from now, according to Murray's office. “Since the restoration of limited commuter rail service to Worcester in 1994, …
Monday, September 17, 2012
The state is taking over the rail lines between Boston and Worcester next month.
The 45 miles of rails between Boston and Worcester will be managed by the state starting next month, according to the telegram.com. This means more service between the two cities as well as bridge work that will allow for double-decker trains to service a longer area. According to the telegram.com, Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray said he expects transportation officials to announce service increases of 13.5 trips per day to 20 within the next year.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Delays of 30-60 minutes are affecting trains on the line.
It hasn't been a great start to the weekend for commuters on the Framingham/Worcester line. According to MBTA alerts, trains on the line are experiencing anywhere between 30 to 60 minute delays for both the inbound and outbound routes. The MBTA alerts indicate the delays stem from an earlier disabled train and residual traffic on the rails. As of 6:45 p.m., both the P526 and P532 inbound trains (6:16 p.m. and 4:55 p.m. departure times) are experiencing 60 minute delays. A number of outbound trains, including the P519, P521, P523 and P527, are also experiencing delays between 30 and 60 minutes. The Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail line passes through three stations in Newton, including Auburndale, West Newton and Newtonville.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
It will cost more to ride the T starting this weekend — and some routes will have decreased service.
On Sunday the MBTA's fare increases start. They're being imposed — along with service cuts — to close the transit agency's $160 million budget gap. Those service cuts also begin Sunday. There are no service cuts in Wellesley, but fare increases are taking effect MBTA-wide. There are other changes, like an increase in the surcharge for getting your Commuter Rail ticket on the train (if the station where you board has ticket machines). THE RIDE will add a more expensive $5 zone starting Oct. 1. For a complete list of changes taking place on the MBTA system beginning Sunday, visit this T link or check out the PDFs attached to this post. Here's a look at the new costs:
Thursday, June 28, 2012
After June 30, you won't be able to use old MBTA tokens to add value to your CharlieCard.
Thanks to Ron Newman, who posted a reminder about this on Davis Square Livejournal. If you've got old T tokens lying around, they're currently worth $1.25 if you use them in a CharlieCard machine. Although the MBTA got rid of token-operated turnstiles over five years ago, the tokens are still worth the money, and you can use them to add value to your CharlieCard. After June 30, that will change. Joe Pesaturo, a spokesman for the MBTA, confirmed that starting July 1 old tokens won't have monetary value, at least as far as the T is concerned—they may be worth something as collectibles. So, if you've got drawers and jars filled with old tokens, you may want to cash them in this week. Of course, you may want lots of old tokens, and if you've …
Nashoba Liberty
1:34 pm on Friday, January 18, 2013
The best way to guarantee yourself ridiculous increases in taxes and fees is to vote in a Democrat administration for a second term. Don't forget to layer on top the extra income tax that Coupe Deval wants to extort from us. more ›