MBTA board is ‘failing riders,’ transit advocate says
TransitMatters Executive Director Jarred Johnson tore into the MBTA Board of Directors, saying it was failing riders with the ‘hands-off approach’ taken during a time of crisis for the agency.
Gayla Cawley | The Boston Herald
Gayla Cawley | The Boston Herald
“TransitMatters Executive Director Jarred Johnson tore into the MBTA Board of Directors, saying it was failing riders with the ‘hands-off approach’ taken during a time of crisis for the agency.
Johnson said during the recorded public comment period of Thursday’s MBTA board meeting that he understands the panel’s job is not easy, ‘but neither is being a T rider these days.’
‘This board is failing riders,”’Johnson said. ‘The system is in crisis, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t know that by watching a board meeting.’
He said it has been incredibly frustrating to read about elevator and escalator safety experts or staff in charge of hiring subway dispatchers appearing before the board, and learning that board members asked no questions—amid continued service cuts.”
What will fix the T? A transportation advocate shares some suggestions with Boston 25
Johnson says to fix the T, priorities need to be reworked.
John Monahan | Boston 25 News
John Monahan | Boston 25 News
“‘Not having stable funding, constantly cutting the operating budget has consequences and we are living those right now,’ said Jarred Johnson, the Executive Director for TransitMatters, a transit advocacy group.
Johnson says to fix the T, priorities need to be reworked.
‘There was focus on getting big capitol projects out the door and not focusing on some of the core issues like having enough dispatchers to make sure the trains can run safely,’ said Johnson.
Johnson also say the T needs a dedicated source of funding for capitol projects, needs to pay competitive wages and needs a new board that provides critical oversight.
He says a board that asks tough questions and holds people accountable will go a long way in getting the T back on track.”
Red Line Service Resumes Day After Train Derails At Broadway MBTA Station
"Really disappointing to see what's been going on with the T," said TransitMatters Executive Director Jarred Johnson. He says the T is safe and has the potential to be reliable, but needs investment to do so.
Kristina Rex | CBS News Boston
Kristina Rex | CBS News Boston
“Regular Red Line service resumed Wednesday morning with a speed restriction between South Station and Broadway, a day after a train derailed at the Broadway MBTA station in Boston.
It happened around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday when the second car of a six-car Red Line train rammed into the platform and derailed at a slow rate of speed. No one was hurt and all 47 passengers safely got off the train.
It caused a commuting nuisance, with some shuttle busses packed with passengers.
‘We're dealing with this pandemic right now,’ said passenger Shawn Golden. ‘This is the worst time for us to be crammed up on a bus.’
As crews worked on the tracks after the derailment Tuesday afternoon, the train got loose and rolled away. No one was hurt.”
Pollack: T scrapping Auburndale station design
Agency was accused of rebuilding station in worst possible way
Bruce Mohl | CommonWealth Magazine
Bruce Mohl | CommonWealth Magazine
“TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY STEPHANIE POLLACK said on Monday that the MBTA is scrapping its design for a new Auburndale commuter rail station in response to concerns that the proposal might negatively affect the overall operation of the entire Framingham/Worcester Line.
The transportation advocacy group TransitMatters initially raised concerns about the proposed design in February, saying the MBTA’s approach could cause service disruptions for all users of the line. TransitMatters accused the T of rebuilding the station ‘in the worst possible way.’
The Auburndale station, located on the Framingham/Worcester Line adjacent to the Massachusetts Turnpike, currently features one low-level platform on the south side of the tracks. The existing platform requires passengers to climb steps to board a train, making the station inaccessible to people with disabilities.”