http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/the-mbtas-new-popularity http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/the-mbtas-new-popularity Wed, 07 May 2008 10:00:05 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/drivers-leave-cars-home-put-t-use-on-record-pace http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/drivers-leave-cars-home-put-t-use-on-record-pace Tue, 06 May 2008 10:28:10 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/green-light-for-line-extension Last week, Gov. Deval Patrick approved $700 million for public http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/green-light-for-line-extension Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:05:50 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/mbta-rolls-out-green-initiatives The T marked Earth Day yesterday http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/mbta-rolls-out-green-initiatives Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:08:12 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/green-light-for-line-extension2 Last week, Gov. DevalPatrick approved $700 million for public transportation projects, with the lion’s share dedicated to the Green Line extension to Somerville and Medford.Improved public transit takes pressure off our roads, while reducing oil consumption, traffic congestion,and global warming emissions. Last month,MASSPIRG released a report detailing the benefits of our public transportation systems. Existing public transit in Massachusetts was responsible for reducing oil consumption by 154 million gallons in 2006, a savings that translated into $403 million. Public transit also prevented 21 million hours of traffic delays for commuters and 1.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions from being released in 2006, the equivalent of taking 225,000 cars off the road. However, the MBTA has $5 billion in debt that fuels the cycle of high fare increases and low ridership growth.For Greater Boston, we’ll need to address financing problems like this and have a forward-looking vision for new public transit. For example, moving the Fairmont Commuter Line to a rapid transit Indigo Line, connecting the spokes of the T with a light rail Urban Ring, extending the Blue Line to Lynn, bringing commuter rail service to Fall River and New Bedford and linking North and South stations. In addition to spurring economic development,these investments will continue the hard work of reducing our oil addiction, curbing global warming pollution and easing the strain on our traffic-clogged roads. Eric Bourassa coordinates MASSPIRG’s advocacy in promoting public transportation. http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/green-light-for-line-extension2 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:56:17 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/green-light-for-line-extension3 Last week, Gov. DevalPatrick approved $700 million for public transportation projects, with the lion’s share dedicated to the Green Line extension to Somerville and Medford.Improved public transit takes pressure off our roads, while reducing oil consumption, traffic congestion,and global warming emissions. Last month,MASSPIRG released a report detailing the benefits of our public transportation systems. Existing public transit in Massachusetts was responsible for reducing oil consumption by 154 million gallons in 2006, a savings that translated into $403 million. Public transit also prevented 21 million hours of traffic delays for commuters and 1.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions from being released in 2006, the equivalent of taking 225,000 cars off the road. However, the MBTA has $5 billion in debt that fuels the cycle of high fare increases and low ridership growth.For Greater Boston, we’ll need to address financing problems like this and have a forward-looking vision for new public transit. For example, moving the Fairmont Commuter Line to a rapid transit Indigo Line, connecting the spokes of the T with a light rail Urban Ring, extending the Blue Line to Lynn, bringing commuter rail service to Fall River and New Bedford and linking North and South stations. In addition to spurring economic development,these investments will continue the hard work of reducing our oil addiction, curbing global warming pollution and easing the strain on our traffic-clogged roads. Eric Bourassa coordinates MASSPIRG’s advocacy in promoting public transportation. http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/green-light-for-line-extension3 Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:57:58 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/t-chief-declares-system-broke-despite-fare-hikes Estimates $75m deficit in upcoming fiscal year By Noah Bierman, Globe Staff http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/t-chief-declares-system-broke-despite-fare-hikes Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:49:49 -0600 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/millions-in-mbta-debt-could-mean-more-hikes After already doubling fares since http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/millions-in-mbta-debt-could-mean-more-hikes Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:36:10 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/funding-mass-transit-requires-difficult-choices In early December, the federal transit and http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/funding-mass-transit-requires-difficult-choices Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:26:52 -0600 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/funding-needed-for-transportation Cambridge - In http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/funding-needed-for-transportation Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:43:08 -0600 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/bumpy-road-ahead-for-mbta-study-says http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/bumpy-road-ahead-for-mbta-study-says Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:21:55 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/study-t-fares-could-rise-sharply-without-state-help MassPirg report says MBTA debt is a huge burden http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/study-t-fares-could-rise-sharply-without-state-help Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:24:14 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/gas-prices-gobble-up-stimulus-check A new report released by the Massachusetts Public Interest Research http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/gas-prices-gobble-up-stimulus-check Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:47:12 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/rebates-taken-for-a-ride-report-says-stimulus-checks-going-to-gas-calls-for-transit-system-overhaul As gas prices continue to rise, a report released yesterday calls for the massive expansion of public transportation across the state, especially to areas where commuters are forced to drive. The report, released by the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group, questioned the federal government’s $168 billion economic stimulus plan, which returned $600 to most individuals and $1,200 to most couples, when most families on average have paid much more than that in gas prices since the plan was announced in February. According to MASSPIRG analysis, the average family’s weekly gasoline bills increased from $67 to more than $90 since February. “Instead of new consumer spending all going to jump-start growth, much of the stimulus has been deflated by high-priced gas,” the report read. Meanwhile, the report found public transportation projects continue to lag behind due to funding gaps. While the tax rebate program will cost the Treasury $168 billion, the four-year total of federal spending on new public transportation projects through 2009 is only $6.6 billion, the report found. “To give commuters a long-term solution to high gas prices, we must give people more alternatives to driving,” MASSPIRG advocate Eric Bourassa said in a statement. There are several MBTA expansion projects in the works, including the Blue and Green Line extensions, the Urban Ring project and the SouthCoast commuter rail project. http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/rebates-taken-for-a-ride-report-says-stimulus-checks-going-to-gas-calls-for-transit-system-overhaul Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:49:02 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/masspirg-pushes-blue-line-extension LYNN - Record-breaking gasoline prices are forcing taxpayers to http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/masspirg-pushes-blue-line-extension Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:53:01 -0500 http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/the-massachusetts-public-interest-research-group-calls-for-commuter-rail-and-refurbishing-union-station-in-springfield-to-increase-public-transportation SPRINGFIELD - A consumer advocacy group claimed yesterday that rising gasoline prices have eaten up the economic stimulus payments the government sent out this spring. In light of this, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Public Interest Research Group renewed its call for more public transportation, including commuter rail and a refurbished Union Station in Springfield. The number of miles an average American drives fell last year for the first time in 30 years, said Phineas R. Baxandall, a senior analyst with the group commonly known as MassPIRG. "This is a watershed moment," Baxandall said at a press conference in front of Union Station. When Congress passed the stimulus payments back in January, gasoline averaged $3.06 a gallon, he said. Baxandall said the average American family was spending $60 a week on gas back then, now the average American family is spending $100 a week at the pump. Pioneer Valley Transit Authority bus ridership is up 6 percent for January through May compared with the same time period in 2007, said Mary L. MacInnes, PVTA administrator. MassPIRG plans to have teams of college students going door-to-door this summer talking about the region's need for more public transportation options. Timothy W. Brennan, executive director of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, said getting commuter trains rolling on those tracks would cost $300 million, including $30 million in work in Massachusetts. Brennan, a rail booster, said Connecticut authorities are doing an environmental review on the project that could take 15 months. Then the project will be designed, then bid out for work. It could be five years, he said. He is also pushing for track work north of Springfield that would allow Amtrak's Vermonter train to take a direct route north. Now, the Vermonter detours through Palmer on its way north. David B. Panagore, the Springfield's chief development officer said he expects HDR Architecture in Boston to come back with a plan for redeveloping Union Station in the next 60 to 90 days if not before. The project will cost a maximum of $44 million in public funds, he said. Other plans to revitalize the station failed because they were too ambitious. HDR has been told to stick to $44 million. "Don't give us a project that would cost $100 million," he said. "We don't have $100 million." The new plan will probably call for demolishing the old baggage area and halving the 200,000-square-foot building to a more-manageable 100,000 square feet. Union Station opened in 1926 and has been closed since 1973. Panagore said the city owns it now. Business writer Jim Kinney can be reached at jkinney@repub.com http://www.masspirg.org/in-the-news/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/the-massachusetts-public-interest-research-group-calls-for-commuter-rail-and-refurbishing-union-station-in-springfield-to-increase-public-transportation Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:38:09 -0500