Overview
Transit Expansion
Expanding public transportation is critical to improving our
overall quality of life. More options for transit means decreased traffic congestion and air
pollution, cutting our dependence on oil and addressing climate change, and
promoting economic growth as well as providing those who are disabled or
can’t afford the cost of driving with a way to get around.
While
the state is required to move forward on planned expansions that have come out
of Big Dig air pollution mitigation, several projects have been unable to get
off the drawing board. Expansions like the Green Line to Medford are in danger of not being completed
on time.
Therefore
it is critical that Governor Patrick and the legislature pass bond legislation
to make sure the funding is there. Not only will these bonds help fund the
projects, they will make our state more competitive in receiving federal grant
money, which gives high grades to projects that have dedicated funds.
MASSPIRG
is working to make sure the Governor and legislature prioritize public
transportation in the state’s capital spending plan.
There
are scores of good projects in the wings. Below are a few examples of proposals
that have been planned for a long time, and need to get moving and completed.
Green Line
to Medford
This project would extend the current Green Line from
Lechmere Station in Cambridge to the Medford
Hillside neighborhood, as well as create
a “spur” to Union Square
in Somerville.
The purpose of the project is to improve mobility, boost transit ridership,
improve regional air quality, ensure equitable distribution of transit
services, and support opportunities for smart growth and sustainable
development in one of the densest areas of the Commonwealth. The project will include construction of
approximately ten new transit stations in Cambridge,
Somerville and Medford. For more information go to www.greenlineextension.org or http://www.somervillestep.org
Fairmont
Line
The
MBTA Fairmount Commuter Rail is a transit line that is contained just in the
city of Boston, passing through Dorchester,
Mattapan and Hyde Park--some of the most
densely populated neighborhoods in the nation, yet has such few stops that many
residents are unable to use the line. To get more people using the Fairmount line, additional stops will be added and
several current stops will be improved to increase access. The Fairmount line runs between Hyde Park and South Station, and
the T will improve stations at Upham’s Corner and Morton Street, while adding Newmarket, Four Corners, Talbot Avenue, Blue Hill Avenue
and Columbia Road
stops. Clean, attractive, accessible stations will dramatically improve the
line, increase ridership, provide service to an underserved part of Boston, and promote
economic development. Read more here.
1,000 New Parking Spaces
To facilitate better use of public transit, the MBTA
will construct a minimum of 1,000 new parking spaces at MBTA stations along the
entire system, but especially at the end of transit lines. The Executive Office
of Transportation is charged with completing these parking spaces by December
31, 2011.
