transportation

Budget and deficit reduction decisions in Washington, DC have substantive (and potentially harmful) consequences for local cities and towns, not only in the current year but for decades.  It now seems that some in Congress now want to play "chicken" with the transportation department as part of the deficit reduction debate.  We need to stay informed and engaged with this issue...

Federal transportation policy shapes, in a profound way, the way Americans connect to their communities and to the economy. When the feds get it right, cities flourish. And when they get it wrong, the consequences can last for decades.   [Full Op-Ed: The Boston Globe]

This letter is about the things we do through government...how we value it and how we can work together to create meaningful, productive jobs and improve the health and safety of our communities and our state.  [Full Letter: Wicked Local Hingham]

Stephanie Pollack, Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Northeastern University, and Richard A. Dimino, A Better City, want to set the record straight about the current gas tax MA levies - .21 cents/gal - and the last time MA increased the gas tax - 1991 - and that the MA gas tax is NOT higher than the National Average - it is lower.  Once the facts are on the table, then the serious discussions can commence.

We do not endorse the gasoline tax or any particular revenue option at this time but we do believe that the time is long since past for a serious policy conversation on how Massachusetts can find the revenue needed to invest in our aging transportation infrastructure.   [Full Letter: Northeastern University]

The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission covers 43 cities and towns.  That they want to have a comprehensive, long-term (4 - year) transportation plan with public input is admirable.

“This plan is our four-year snapshot of we are with our regional transportation system and where we expect to be in the next 20 years,” [Gary] Roux said Monday. “Everything we do, whether it is a construction project or a study project, needs to be in this document.”
Public hearings are set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Northampton City Council Chambers, Puchalski Municipal Building, 212 Main Street, Northampton located behind City Hall and at 7 p.m., August 18 at Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, 60 Congress Street, 2nd Floor, Springfield. [Full Article: Mass live.com]

The added revenue from a modest increase in riders will not be enough to offset the T’s $161 million budget gap for next fiscal year, Richard Davey, the T’s general manager said.

“This is great that ridership is up,’’ Taisha O’Bryant, vice chairwoman of the T Riders Union said. “But if [the MBTA] would like to maintain or increase ridership, they need to uphold their end of the bargain by making sure that the T is on time and make sure there’s no fare hike.’’ [Full Article: Boston Globe]

The main question is how do we get to a sustainable  transportation system - roads, bridges, and public transportation - when we have several years of budget cuts and budget deficits?  The gas tax debate is on...again...

[Governor] Patrick found himself in the spotlight on the issue yesterday after Lt. Gov. Tim Murray hinted that a gas tax hike could be back in play, telling the Worcester Telegram the administration is considering several options to pay for road and bridge maintenance, including gas tax, toll and fare increases. [Full Article: SouthCoast Today]

The cash-strapped Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority has begun to sell advertising on its website as part of efforts to boost revenues, plug a projected $150 million deficit during the next fiscal year and avoid fare hikes, officials said.

"The scope of the proposed naming rights program extends to all T properties, including subway, commuter rail, bus and rapid-bus transit lines, ferry routes, stations, and media such as Charlie Cards, smart phone applications and informational materials," Pesaturo said. [Full Article: Boston Globe]

We need to inject more funding into our transportation infrastructure instead of decling it to keep the adequate preservation of our streets and roads!

The Joint Committee on Transportation heard 19 bills Tuesday that aim to give commuters on the Massachusetts Turnpike a break by proposing a freeze on rate increases at the toll plazas, free access to seniors 70 years old and up, or even eliminating the tolls completely.

“Given the chronic underfunding of the transportation system and the looming threat of diminished federal support for transportation in the near future we feel that any move to reduce revenues dedicated to transportation would be imprudent at this time,” said Richard Parr, the policy and development director at A Better City, a transportation and land development group. [Full Article: 22News]

Public transportation is a government service that is necessary and valued by so many people.  Lack of adequate funding for repairs and maintenance and capital projects is problematic.

Cash-strapped and debt-ridden, public transit systems across the nation are trimming service, raising fares and postponing badly needed upgrades just to maintain daily operations, even as rising gas prices increase demand and experts call modernization critical to cities’ futures.  [Full Article: Worcester Telegram & Gazette]

[Arlington] is facing a deficit of about $3.8 million, officials said, and without the additional tax revenues they plan to cut more than a dozen employees from the police, fire, and public works rosters. School officials are also planning to cut about 13 percent of the town’s teachers to cover the shortfall in the district’s budget if voters do not approve the tax increase. The proposed override would prevent the layoffs, officials said, as well as provide an additional $600,000 for the school district and $400,000 for road projects. [Full Article: Boston Globe]