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Keep Mass On Track

A BETTER WAY TO GO—With ever-increasing ridership on our public transportation systems throughout the Commonwealth, it has never been more important for our leaders to adequately fund public transit.

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.

Issue updates

Report | Transportation

Squandering the Stimulus

Nothing illustrates how the lack of transportation options hurts consumers and our economy more than the fact that, since approval of the tax rebates in February, Americans on average have already spent the amount of their stimulus checks at the pump. We can reduce our crippling dependence on oil through long-term solutions that will make it easier for Americans to drive less. Modern buses, light rail, commuter rail and other forms of transit more efficiently move passengers with less fuel.

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Report | Transportation

A Better Way to Go

Meeting America's 21st Century Transportation Challenges with Modern Public Transit. America's automobile-centered transportation system was a key component of the nation's economic prosperity during the 20th century. But our transportation system is increasingly out of step with the challenges of the 21st century. Rising fuel prices, growing traffic congestion, and the need to address critical challenges such as global warming and America's addiction to imported oil all point toward the need for a new transportation future.

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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.   

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Report | Transportation

Derailed by Debt

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) faces an uncertain financial future over the next five years. With debt service payments increasing, along with other costs, the MBTA will face sizeable budget gaps forcing the Authority to choose among unhealthy options to close these structural deficits. These options primarily include: further dramatic fare increases, service reductions, or more borrowing.

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Report | Budget, Consumer Protection, Democracy, Financial Reform, Food, Health Care, Higher Ed, Safe Energy, Solid Waste, Tax, Transportation

2006 Congressional Score Card

The 2006 Scorecard looks at the most important public interest votes taken between February 9, 2005 and February 1, 2006 in the U.S. Congress. These votes determined the direction of federal policy on critical issues ranging from environmental preservation to health care to consumer protections.

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Priority Action

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.

Email the MBTA

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