Media Statement: Rail Vision FMCB Resolution

BOSTON, November 4, 2019 — 

TransitMatters applauds today’s action by the FMCB to advance Regional Rail in Massachusetts. We began this journey in February 2018 with the publication of our Regional Rail report and we are pleased to see its progress from plan to policy. Since the initial release of our report in 2018, we have worked tirelessly to write op-eds, hold outreach events around the region, especially in Gateway Cities, analyze the system line-by-line, and release a follow-up Proof of Concept whitepaper this fall laying out the practical first steps to be taken. We are grateful for the support and feedback we have received from politicians and elected officials, key stakeholders, the Rail Vision group, our media partners who have helped us get the message out, and most importantly our supporters who have written letters and testified at FMCB meetings in support of our initiative. This comprehensive outreach and support is why we are at this critical point today.

We believe that this is an important first step toward transforming our current antiquated Commuter Rail system. We will continue to push hard for a new service delivery model based on frequent all day service, replacing today’s dirty diesel locomotives with more cost effective electric multiple units and providing better service with high level platforms at every station. Today is the beginning of making the vision we laid out in our 2018 Regional Rail plan actionable. We look forward to a close collaboration with the T and other stakeholders to keep this critical initiative on track. 

For media inquiries, please e-mail media@transitmatters.org. 

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Podcast 29 - Transit Advocacy with Rafael Mares from the Conservation Law Foundation

We're joined in studio by prominent Boston transit advocate Rafael Mares, Vice President and Director of Healthy Communities and Environmental Justice for the Conservation Law Foundation. CLF has been instrumental in improving access and mobility for MBTA users, including holding the state to transit project commitments they've tried to wiggle out of.

We discuss the current state of transit operations and investment, the Control Board and politics, the fate of long-awaited projects such the Green Line Extension, the Big Dig legacy, and much more. This episode was recorded on May 16 in the studios of WMBR 88.1 FM in Cambridge, engineered by Scott Mullen.  Find Rafael Mares online at @RafaelMares2 or CLF.

TransitMatters advocates for fast, frequent, reliable and effective public transportation in and around Boston. As part of our vision to repair, upgrade and expand the MBTA transit network, we aim to elevate the conversation around transit issues by offering new perspectives, uniting transit advocates and promoting a level of critical analysis normally absent from other media.

Like what you hear? Share it around, tell your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to the blog and podcast (on iTunes) to be notified of new posts and episodes. Support our work by becoming a member, making a donation or signing up to volunteer because we can't do this alone. Let us know what you think: connect with TransitMatters on Facebook or Twitter. Follow Jeremy Mendelson @Critical Transit, Josh Fairchild @hatchback31, Jarred Johnson @jarjoh, Marc Ebuña @DigitalSciGuy, Scott Mullen @mixmastermully or email us here.