MBTA in a state of disrepair. (Boston: requirements, single, limit)

[msRB311]

24.5 Billion to fix

https://www.wcvb.com/article/mbta-sp...plans/45862824

I guess helping migrants is more of a priority.

[BugsyPal]

It's actually same old story that plagued NY's MTA and other urban mass transit systems. Post WWII and certainly from 1970's onward for various reasons state and local governments seriously disinvested in mass transit. This includes and especially rail service both urban and commuter which often were largely often inherited or taken over from private companies.

NY's MTA began digging out NYC subway and commuter rail staring in 1980's or 1990's by borrowing huge sums of money (bonds). That has come back to bite them in the behind as servicing debt consumes huge and growing part of MTA's budget.

All eyes are now on NYC's congestion pricing plan, something borrowed from London, UK to bring in needed revenue for MTA. MA/Boston may well have to do down that route or something similar.

Farebox recovery alone won't raise anywhere near $25 billion, a sum likely to be vastly higher accounting for inflation when all is said and done. Even addition of more or raising taxes get MBTA there either unless done creatively. That is following old French saying about taxes; "the art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible amount of feathers with the smallest possible amount of hissing".

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local...ystem/3193239/

There are pots of federal money floating about. Biden's infrastructure bill contains huge sums for rail and mass transit. Much of it is or has been doled out to Amtrak, New York and New Jersey, but there's still more to go around.

[masssachoicetts]

Originally Posted by BugsyPal

It's actually same old story that plagued NY's MTA and other urban mass transit systems. Post WWII and certainly from 1970's onward for various reasons state and local governments seriously disinvested in mass transit. This includes and especially rail service both urban and commuter which often were largely often inherited or taken over from private companies.

NY's MTA began digging out NYC subway and commuter rail staring in 1980's or 1990's by borrowing huge sums of money (bonds). That has come back to bite them in the behind as servicing debt consumes huge and growing part of MTA's budget.

All eyes are now on NYC's congestion pricing plan, something borrowed from London, UK to bring in needed revenue for MTA. MA/Boston may well have to do down that route or something similar.

Farebox recovery alone won't raise anywhere near $25 billion, a sum likely to be vastly higher accounting for inflation when all is said and done. Even addition of more or raising taxes get MBTA there either unless done creatively. That is following old French saying about taxes; "the art of taxation consists in so plucking the goose as to obtain the largest possible amount of feathers with the smallest possible amount of hissing".

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local...ystem/3193239/

There are pots of federal money floating about. Biden's infrastructure bill contains huge sums for rail and mass transit. Much of it is or has been doled out to Amtrak, New York and New Jersey, but there's still more to go around.

Definitely need it more in NY/NJ than MA

[bostongymjunkie]

This should be interesting. I'm curious to see how it's implemented.


https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/...massachusetts/

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by bostongymjunkie

This should be interesting. I'm curious to see how it's implemented.


https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/...massachusetts/

Yeah I posted this in another thread. Not sure how this will help with the $24 billion in deferred maintenance.

[massnative71]

MBTA reports ‘near miss,’ door closing on leg and hand safety incidents on Green and Red lines




https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/01...and-red-lines/

[msRB311]

Is this a good use of 8 million dollars? To keep 3 bus routes FREE for the next 2 years?

https://www.wcvb.com/article/boston-...-free/46664163

[masssachoicetts]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Is this a good use of 8 million dollars? To keep 3 bus routes FREE for the next 2 years?

https://www.wcvb.com/article/boston-...-free/46664163

yes. absolutely. Its what most other cities are doing. Glad Boston is starting to act like a real city with PT

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by masssachoicetts

yes. absolutely. Its what most other cities are doing. Glad Boston is starting to act like a real city with PT

most other cities don't have the awful public transit problems that Boston has.

[GeePee]

Originally Posted by msRB311

most other cities don't have the awful public transit problems that Boston has.

Most other cities don't have public transit