WGBH News Focus: The MBTA  

 

 

WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

The Big Dig: $23 Billion and Counting


THE TOLL ON THE MBTA
By Sarah Birnbaum
At a State House hearing, transportation officials said the total cost of the Big Dig is continuing to grow, starving the state of funds for other road and bridge projects.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Mass. Senate Passes MBTA 'Bailout' Bill


By Sarah Birnbaum
The bill passed after officials rejected a bid by five senators to replace the MBTA's current governing board with a new one.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Demand Could Outpace Supply on the T


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Jordan Weinstein
A report from a land-use think tank warns that by the end of the decade, Boston’s subways could grow so packed that trains would roll past waiting commuters, unable to accommodate more riders.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

The MBTA Arrives ... on Stage


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Michelle Liu
Even MBTA officials are liking "T: An MBTA Musical," where Charlie (of the Card) sings and the different lines come to life.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

House Passes MBTA Bailout Bill


MORE ON MBTA FUNDING
By Sarah Birnbaum
The state House of Representatives passed a bill giving the MBTA nearly $50 million from a fund that was intended to help reduce air pollution. The vote was 130-25.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

MBTA: The Musical

By WGBH News
It's the theatrical ride of a lifetime. The creators of a new musical about the "T" join Callie Crossley to explain the creative inspiration of mass transit.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Politicians Demand Transportation Funding


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Sarah Birnbaum
Massachusetts officials, local mayors and advocates rallied at Boston’s South Station for a solution to the state's transportation funding crisis.  
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

MBTA One Stop: Wood Island


ONE STOP AT HOME: MAKIN' THE DONUTS
By Danielle Dreilinger
This week, attention is on the Suffolk Downs stop of the Blue Line. But what happens near the stations you might not know as much about? To launch our web feature MBTA One Stop, we go to Wood Island and a small, storied donut shop. With photos and a recipe.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Highlights from Yelp Reviews of MBTA Stations


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Danielle Dreilinger
You're on the platform. You're waiting for the T. You have an opinion. We read it, and understand.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Get Inside the T — Virtually


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Danielle Dreilinger
The MBTA now offers a mobile map option on Android phones that lets people see inside some stations. But will it be useful?
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Highlights from Yelp Reviews of Lesser-Used Bus Lines


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Danielle Dreilinger
You can learn a lot about metro Boston by riding the bus. And you can learn even more by reading ... reviews of riding the bus.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

MBTA Chief Mulls Your Ideas


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Bob Seay
Could the state take back the Big Dig debt? Could the MBTA expand service? Richard Davey, secretary of MassDOT, responds to WGBH listeners' ideas.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

The MBTA Index


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Danielle Dreilinger
You care about the T: responses to our online survey hit the triple digits. With a tip of the hat to Harper's, here's a look at the results in digit form.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

International Models for the T: Your Thoughts


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By WGBH News
Should we look to other cities as a model for the MBTA? Our readers and listeners who have lived elsewhere or traveled around the world had some suggestions.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

MBTA Cuts: The Impact on Communities of Color


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By WGBH News
Service cuts will reduce families' access to work, health care and education, warned Marvin Venay of the Mass. Black and Latino Legislative Caucus.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Former Transportation Chief: The T's Troubles


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
Fred Salvucci headed the state transportation department under two administrations. He talked to WGBH's Bob Seay about his take on the MBTA.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Your Top 5 Ideas to Fix the T


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By WGBH News
In all the responses to our online survey, five solutions floated to the top. Which is your favorite? Vote here or on Facebook.
Poetry Month

Riding Routes of Poetry


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
In a collection of poetry by Liam Day, inspired by riding the MBTA bus routes, we learn something from the routine views of the city about what it means to be human.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

'Tourist Train' Status: Delayed


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Sean Corcoran
With cost concerns at the fore, expanding MBTA service is a tough proposition. So the Cape Cod transit authority decided to delay a tourist train to the Cape ... even though the service would pay for itself.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Racial Disparities and the MBTA


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Phillip Martin
The old elevated train from Dudley to downtown was ugly — but fast. Now, with service cuts going into effect, riders are asking why minority neighborhoods get the short end of the transit stick.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Should Massport Help the T?


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Bob Seay & WGBH News
Former state transportation secretary Fred Salvucci says there's one dramatic and simple fix for the MBTA's debt: Have Massport pick it up. Here's the agency's response and your thoughts on the Big Dig debt.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

The MBTA Answers Your Questions


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By WGBH News
Talk to the top, we said — and you did. Hear what MBTA general manager Jonathan Davis had to say in response to your calls and survey responses.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Getting a Free Ride ... from the Bus Fare Box


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Ibby Caputo
If you take the bus, you've probably come across a fare box that didn't work. WGBH News' Ibby Caputo asked just how widespread a problem that is — and how much money it's costing the T.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

MBTA Riders Disrupt Budget Debate


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Jordan Weinstein
Mass. House officers closed down public access to the chambers after a group of seniors and people with disabilities interrupted proceedings to protest MBTA fare hikes.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Sci-Fi Solutions for the T


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Phillip Martin
Some local experts are working to increase MBTA ridership by developing tools that sound like something out of speculative fiction. 
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Your List: 10 Innovative Ideas to Fix the T


ADD YOUR IDEA
By WGBH News
How would you fix the T? Here are some of the more creative ideas we've seen so far in the responses to our survey.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Fare Hikes and Your Health


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
The MBTA's new fare and service package could force more drivers on the road — resulting eventually in an increase in obesity rates, air pollution and car accidents.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

In Defense of the Car


LISTEN
With all the talk about fare hikes and service cuts and the future of transit in the Hub, Colin Kingsbury believes we should reconsider our auto aversion, saying there's no quicker way to get across town.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

How to Create a World-Class Transit System


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Phillip Martin
Cities all over the world rely on robust public transportation systems. What are they doing right? PLUS: Your ideas gleaned from taking public transit in other countries.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Just Another Rush Hour on the MBTA


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Danielle Dreilinger
In the old days, you couldn't complain about your commute until you (finally) reached your destination. With Twitter, you can. We look at an ordinary morning's sights, sounds and situations on the T.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Riders React to the MBTA Fare Evasion Crackdown


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By Danielle Dreilinger
This week, the MBTA launched a new initiative to address fare evasion on the Green Line: In off-peak hours, D Branch passengers will be allowed to board and depart using the front door only. And Twitter said ....
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

Tell Us How You'd Fix the 'T'


SHARE YOUR IDEAS
By WGBH News
If you've taken even one trip on a MBTA bus, train or ferry, you have an opinion about what's wrong and how to fix it. As part of our April news focus on the MBTA, we want to hear your ideas to improve the system.
WGBH News Focus: The MBTA

From the WGBH Vault: MBTA Improvements


WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
By WGBH News
In 1989, WGBH-2 talked to MBTA riders about recent changes. Not all the riders saw the transit system through rose-colored glasses. Try aviators, instead.
Transportation & Infrastructure

Lawmakers Consider T Bailout Bill


By Sarah Birnbaum
The debate over how to close the MBTA’s huge deficit is in lawmakers' hands now. 
Transportation & Infrastructure

MBTA Board Passes Unpopular Fare Hike


By Sarah Birnbaum
The board that oversees the Mass. Bay Transportation Authority voted 4-1 in favor of fare increases and modest service cuts as the crowd of 200-plus riders shouted "shame on you."
Transportation & Infrastructure

Governor: State Needs a Long-Term Transit Solution


By Toni Waterman & Sarah Birnbaum
Gov. Deval Patrick said he supports the MBTA's plan to bridge a $185 million budget gap but warned that it is only a short-term fix.
Transportation & Infrastructure

MBTA Plans to Raise Fares, Cut Service


By Danielle Dreilinger
State transportation secretary Richard Davey said that despite public outcry, major changes were needed to close a $159 million budget gap. 
Transportation & Infrastructure

Lawmakers: We Have to Fix the T ... Somehow


By Sarah Birnbaum
As the debate continues over proposed fare hikes and service cuts for Boston-area mass transit, advocates called Monday for a long-term solution to the state's transportation funding problems.
Transportation & Infrastructure

Yet More Fears over MBTA Fares


By WGBH News
As crowds gather at MBTA hearings to protest proposed service cuts and fare hikes, a policy group is saying the state should lose the former but go ahead with the latter.
Transportation & Infrastructure

Emotions Run High at Malden MBTA Hearing


LAWMAKERS PUSH BACK
By Ibby Caputo
Media attention focused this week on the hearings at the Boston Public Library, where hundreds staged a protest — but transit users in the outskirts of the Orange Line are just as mad.
Transportation & Infrastructure

The Real Impact of MBTA Cuts: A Mattapan Story


WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THE MBTA PLAN?
By Toni Waterman
The MBTA says its cost-savings plans would only cut lesser-used lines. But the people who do use them say they'll be in the cold.
The Emily Rooney Show

Davey: MBTA Fare Increase ‘on the Table’


MORE FROM THE EMILY ROONEY SHOW
By Frannie Carr
A fare hike for the cash-strapped MBTA is “definitely on the table,” according to the state’s newly anointed transportation czar.

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