Although they face many challenges today, state transportation officials are looking well into the future and planning for Boston's transit needs over the next two decades.
A draft plan released by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and MBTA, titledFocus40, lays out plans for the MBTA for the next 20 years, and the report says it "reflects what the region will need to be sustainable, livable, equitable, and economically competitive."
The 65-page report includes what is being done in the next five years to improve the MBTA, including replacing Orange, Red and Green Line trains, extending the Green Line and implementing a new fare collection system. The document also lays out what's being planned between now and 2040, including connecting the Blue and Red lines, providing a pedestrian connection between State Street and Downtown Crossing stations, implementing platform barriers and doors and expanding bus service.
But grabbing the headlines are the so-called big ideas: a transit "superstation" at downtown crossing with underground pedestrian walkways connecting various T lines, extending the Blue Line to Lynn, the Green Line to Hyde Square and the Orange Line to Everett and Roslindale. The long-range plan also calls for autonomous bus shuttles and beefing up climate change resiliency.
The plan also focuses on "priority places" that need and can support higher quality transit: Kendall Square, Logan Airport, the Longwood Medical Area, and the South Boston Waterfront. Also considered priority places for future transit growth are communities lacking rapid transit like Dorchester, Mattapan, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, Everett, Chelsea, and Revere, and the urban gateways of Lynn, Salem, and Waltham.
But Rick Dimino, CEO of the organization A Better City, told WGBH News that although he encourages all discussion of transportation issues, he is concerned that the Focus40 Report is "not as detailed and substantive as it should be," and fears "it just may end up on a shelf."
The document "may be relevant in terms of ideas," says Dimino, "but has no financial resources or commitment to do anything."
And, he adds, he is disappointed that the Focus40 plan doesn't mention proposals already on the books, like extending the Silver Line to the Seaport District and the future of the West Station commuter rail stop in Allston.
Transit officials admit there are no cost estimates or plans for funding these projects in the draft plan, but, they say, deciding whether they are worth investing in is the first step. And to do that, the MBTA is looking for riders' feedback by September 21.
