Find out what MBTA stops will be closed during the 2013 Boston Marathon.
When there's a world-class roadrace headed right through your neighborhood, expect to see some delays in your public transportation as well. Despite Patriot's Day holiday status, all MBTA lines will be operating on their regular schedules. Information courtesy of the MBTA website: SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates
Dozens of elderly and disabled riders say the cuts would make the paratransit service too expensive to use.
Police arrested several people who were blocking Beacon Street in front of the State House as part of a protest against cuts to the MBTA's service for disabled and elderly passengers. The protest began peacefully around noon but moved into the street 20 minutes later. After seven in folding chairs or wheelchairs stopped traffic for another 20 minutes, police moved in arrested "four to five" of them, according to an officer on the scene. The rally, organized by MassUniting and the Massachusetts Senior Action Coaltion, was called to protest the large fare hikes to the MBTA's paratransit service The RIDE. According to MassUniting, while fares for regular MBTA service went up 23 percent, the cost of The Ride has ballooned up to 150 percent …
The number of MBTA fare evaders caught this year is slightly less than over the same period last year.
If you’ve ever thought about jumping those MBTA gates to catch a bus, it’s likely you’ll get hit with a fine for evading the fare. MBTA police have issued 1,231 evasion citations system wide so far in 2013, as of Monday, according to MBTA detective Richard Sullivan. Over the same period last year, the MBTA issued 1,267 citations. The fine for a first-time fare evader is $50, according to Sullivan; future offenses could be as high as $500, according to the law. Operation Fare Game, the MBTA’s initiative to enforce fare laws on the T, from time to time leads to arrests. Christian Fitzgerald, 23, of Roxbury was arrested March 22 after he attempted to dodge a fare at Downtown Crossing by entering through the exit-only gate, according to a …
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 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 it is not making late-night service a priority. MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in a Feb. 21 email that, until the state decides to …
In this Article:
The MBTA is looking for a sponsor to upgrade their WIFI system 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…
State Transportation Secretary Richard Davey said at a hearing last week that the 75 double-decker coaches are “severely late,” but they will be worth the wait.
In 2008, the MBTA bought 75 new commuter rail cars from Korean-based Hyundai Rotem, in 2013, the MBTA is still waiting for the cars to be delivered. Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey said at a statehouse oversight committee hearing Tuesday the state is still waiting on 75 double-decker coaches for the commuter rail. The MBTA bought the coaches in 2008 from Korean company Hyundai Rotem. “They are late, severely late,” Davey said. He added, however, that MBTA engineers are satisfied with the quality of the cars. Philadelphia and Los Angeles are in front of Boston in terms of waiting for the cars, but transit engineers in both cities are satisfied with the cars as well, Davey said. “At this point while…
In this Article:
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 …
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 …
In this Article:
Electronic devices - especially iPhones - are the most widely stolen items while using MBTA services.
According to MBTA Transit Police 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.
In this Article:
Due to the strain on resources, the MBTA has no plans as of now to extend service hours despite massive local interest.
The days of the Night Owl bus service are long gone, and as of now, they may not return. MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said until the state implements Gov. Deval Patrick’s recent 21st Century Plan transportation budget roll out, late night service is out of the question. “Given the enormous strain on the MBTA’s limited resources, the Authority cannot even consider an extension of service hours before action is taken on the 21st Century Transportation Plan,” Pesaturo said in an email. The Night Owl bus service, which ran buses from the end of service at 1 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., existed between 2001 and 2005, but was too costly to maintain. Another major issue working against late night service is the short time it allows for crews to perform …
JJ
4:30 pm on Tuesday, March 12, 2013
The new MBTA DIrector has to be fired. She seems to be useless. more ›