A project already pockmarked with delays and growing costs will once again stretch on longer than MBTA officials hoped, this time due to federal scrutiny of components shipped from China.
Category: Transportation
The modernization project is a key phase of MassDOT’s Springfield Area Track Reconfiguration Project, which will upgrade tracks, signals, and other infrastructure to ease a major rail bottleneck in the city by reducing conflicts between freight and passenger trains. West-East Rail construction is set to begin next year.
The Berkshire Flyer service is part of the state’s “Compass Rail” vision for intercity passenger rail throughout Massachusetts
MBTA General Manager Phil Eng says the T’s new fleet of cars are on track to begin running in 2027
Federal oversight of the MBTA began amid a series of incidents including derailments and the death of a Red Line passenger.
Bus speeds across the 10 slowest MBTA bus routes fell to 6.42 mph from 6.52 mph last year, but the agency is improving service gaps.
The MBTA is preparing to launch a limited fleet of battery-powered cars a decade after a vote to electrify the commuter rail system, but the pace and price of the project has surprised lawmakers and transit advocates alike.
The rapid adoption and quickly changing technology of smaller vehicles has outpaced the ability of regulations to keep up, leaving riders, local officials, and law enforcement without a clear understanding of how these devices should be operated safely. New legislation sets up a statewide framework, leaving flexibility to localities for further regulation.
MBTA general manager Phil Eng stepped in as interim Department of Transportation secretary nine months ago. He has “no timeline” as to when his double duty will come to an end.
Officials and transit advocates have criticized the mayor’s approach and questioned whether the youth disturbances at Union Station can be attributed to the availability of free bus rides. Some have cited the success of the fare-free program and instead called for more policing.