Keep Mass On Track

MORE, BETTER, FULLY FUNDED TRANSIT

From Boston to the Berkshires and all across America, the way that we get around has a tremendous impact on our quality of life. But our transportation system is in trouble. We waste hours sitting in traffic on roads in poor repair, and we spend billions of tax dollars on wasteful projects, when we should be investing in statewide public transportation and road maintenance and repair. It is time to get Massachusetts on track.

MASSPIRG is working on Beacon Hill and in Washington, D.C., to ensure that we fully fund public transportation in the Commonwealth and across the country, expand transit options for everyone, and prioritize a “fix-it-first” approach for maintaining our transit infrastructure.

CONNECTING THE COMMONWEALTH

A key problem with transit in Massachusetts is that the MBTA is deep in debt, and without any action things will just continue to get worse.

So MASSPIRG is supporting the Transportation Economic Development and Ridership Act, filed by state Rep. Carl Sciortino (Medford), which would fully fund statewide public transportation and mandate increased transit ridership in the commonwealth.

We are also working to get the state to fulfill its mandate to extending the Green Line into Somerville and Medford to mitigate environmental impacts from the Big Dig. Recently, when officials announced yet another delay to this project, MASSPIRG spoke up and called on Gov. Deval Patrick to stand by his pledge to see the extension completed during his time in office.

MASSPIRG will continue to fight for robust, fully funded transit options for all Bay Staters.

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News Release | MASSPIRG | Transportation

Youth Want More Transportation Options

A new report released today by MASSPIRG Education Fund demonstrates that Americans have been driving less since the middle of the last decade. It outlines how young people are increasingly disinterested in driving and prefer transportation alternatives.

Report | MASSPIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Transportation and the New Generation

The trend away from steady growth in driving is likely to be long-lasting—even once the economy recovers. Young people are driving less for a host of reasons—higher gas prices, new licensing laws, improvements in technology that support alternative transportation, and changes in Generation Y’s values and preferences—all factors that are likely to have an impact for years to come.

News Release | MASSPIRG | Transportation

A 23% Fare Hike Isn’t the Answer

Statement of MASSPIRG Staff Attorney Lizzi Weyant on the MBTA Board of Directors vote, approving a 23% fare hike on the T

News Release | T4MA | Transportation

MBTA proposals don’t solve the problem

Statement of MASSPIRG Staff Attorney, Lizzi Weyant, on the MBTA’s new recommendations for closing its FY13 budget gap.

Media Hit | Transportation

Dorchester Reporter - More state officials cite need for new transportation revenue sources

Momentum appears to be building in House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s circle of deputies for a short-term solution to an MBTA budget bind that threatens to crush commuters with 40 percent fare hikes and crippling service cuts.

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News Release | MASSPIRG | Transportation

Youth Want More Transportation Options

A new report released today by MASSPIRG Education Fund demonstrates that Americans have been driving less since the middle of the last decade. It outlines how young people are increasingly disinterested in driving and prefer transportation alternatives.

News Release | MASSPIRG | Transportation

A 23% Fare Hike Isn’t the Answer

Statement of MASSPIRG Staff Attorney Lizzi Weyant on the MBTA Board of Directors vote, approving a 23% fare hike on the T

News Release | T4MA | Transportation

MBTA proposals don’t solve the problem

Statement of MASSPIRG Staff Attorney, Lizzi Weyant, on the MBTA’s new recommendations for closing its FY13 budget gap.

Media Hit | Transportation

Dorchester Reporter - More state officials cite need for new transportation revenue sources

Momentum appears to be building in House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s circle of deputies for a short-term solution to an MBTA budget bind that threatens to crush commuters with 40 percent fare hikes and crippling service cuts.

News Release | MASSPIRG | Transportation

MASSPIRG Says: “Too Far a Hike”

In response to an MBTA proposal that would raise fares, reduce service, and eliminate several critical bus routes, MASSPIRG Staff Attorney Lizzi Weyant said, “The MBTA should not be balancing the books on the backs of riders.”

Pages

Result | Transportation

Expanding Public Transportation

Fewer cars will clog Boston’s highways thanks to an upcoming five-mile extension of the Green Line. Our research and advocacy helped build support for the project. We also helped convince state leaders to begin study on four additional major rail expansions.

Result | Transportation

High Speed Rail

MASSPIRG worked with Congressman Olver to create the Northeast Rail Caucus in the House of Representatives. The Northeast is the nation’s most densely population region. We need regional coordination to ensure the Northeast is well positioned to take advantage of federal funding opportunities in order to invest in High Speed Rail.

Report | MASSPIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Transportation and the New Generation

The trend away from steady growth in driving is likely to be long-lasting—even once the economy recovers. Young people are driving less for a host of reasons—higher gas prices, new licensing laws, improvements in technology that support alternative transportation, and changes in Generation Y’s values and preferences—all factors that are likely to have an impact for years to come.

Report | MASSPIRG Education Fund | Transportation

Common Connections

College students and senior citizens account for more than one out of every five Massachusetts residents and share a need for high-quality alternatives to driving—particularly public transportation.

Report | Transportation

High-Speed Rail: Public, Private or Both?

High-speed rail public-private partnerships and efforts toward rail privatization abroad have a mixed track record. This report reviews a number of international cases of better and worse cases of contracting in Europe and Asia.

Report | Transportation

Waiting for a Ride

nevitably, aging experts note, a large share will find that their ability to navigate by vehicle diminishes or disappears over time. These millions of older adults will need affordable alternatives to driving alone in order to maintain their independence as long as possible.

Report | Transportation

Do Roads Pay for Themselves?

A new report released today from MASSPIRG disproves the myth that road-building is paid for by user-fees, showing that gas taxes cover barely half the costs of building and maintaining roads.

Pages

Blog Post | Transportation

Testimony in Support of Transportation Revenue | Elizabeth Weyant

While MBTA recently experienced its highest public transportation ridership levels, our transportation system is splitting at the seams. Sustained high public transportation ridership would result in cleaner air, less dependence on oil, and less congestion on our roadways. But without a significant investment in our transportation system, none of these benefits can be realized.

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Blog Post | Transportation

Testimony in Support of Transportation Reform and Revenue | Elizabeth Weyant

As you well know, our entire transportation system is facing a severe funding crisis. Roads, bridges, highways, and public transportation agencies have an estimated $15-$19 billion funding deficit over the next twenty years that will be incurred just to maintain our current network. This gap will impact every state resident as our roads and bridges deteriorate and public transit is reduced.

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Short-term fixes to the T's budget problems that will cut ridership aren't the answer. We need a long-term solution that will keep Mass. on track.

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