Thursday, March 28, 2013
The number of MBTA fare evaders caught this year is slightly less than those caught over the same period last year.
If you've ever thought about jumping a turnstile to catch the T, it’s likely you’ll get hit with a fine for evading the fare. MBTA police have issued 1,231 evasion citations system wide so far in 2013, as of March 25, according to MBTA detective Richard Sullivan. Over the same period last year, the MBTA issued 1,267 citations. The fine for a first-time fare evader is $50, according to Sullivan; future offenses could be as high as $500, according to the law. Operation Fare Game, the MBTA’s initiative to enforce fare laws on the T, from time to time leads to arrests. Christian Fitzgerald, 23, of Roxbury was arrested March 22 after he attempted to dodge a fare at Downtown Crossing by entering through the exit-only gate, according to a transit…
42.32955
-71.19353
MBTA - Newton Center Station
Union St & Herrick Rd, Newton Centre, MA
/articles/more-than-1200-t-riders-cited-for-fare-evasion-this-year
2177876
/locations/9119471
Friday, March 22, 2013
The Boston Globe reports that 85 percent of those who responded to a survey on late-night MBTA service would be willing to wait at least 10 to 19 minutes for a bus or train.
A recent survey confirms what most of the Boston area was already thinking: locals want late-night MBTA service. The Boston Globe reported Friday that about 26,000 people responded to a survey saying they are in favor of late-night bus or train service in Boston. Over 85 percent of respondents said they would be willing to wait 10 to 19 minutes for a late-night bus or train, and half said they’d pay double the fare, according to the Globe. As MBTA officials scramble to close a $117 budget gap for fiscal year 2014, and legislators mull Gov. Deval Patrick’s 21st Century Transportation Plan, the T has said its not making late-night service a priority. MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in a Feb. 21 email until the state decides to implement …
42.321527
-71.205998
MBTA - Newton Highlands Station
1175 Walnut St, Newton, MA
/articles/survey-riders-want-late-night-mbta-service-779f985f
2177857
/locations/9076252
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
The MBTA launched a wireless internet program at some locations and on certain cars in 2008. The transit system is now looking for a sponsor to upgrade the product at no cost to the T.
The MBTA wants to upgrade its wireless Internet service, but without spending precious tax dollars. The Boston area transit system is seeking sponsorship proposals to provide upgraded wi-fi service on commuter rail cars, ferries and select commuter rail stations, according to an MBTA press statement in early March. “The MBTA’s goal is to upgrade the current WIFI service to a system wide, state of the art standard, at no cost to the MBTA and its riders,” the statement says. The sponsorship opportunity would provide the sponsor with marketing rights such as “signage and advertising in commuter rail stations, cars and ferry facilities; corporate presence on MBTA commuter rail system maps and schedules; control of a WIFI landing page; links on…
42.3468
-71.246962
MBTA Commuter Rail - Auburndale Station
477 Lexington St, Auburndale, MA
/articles/faster-wi-fi-could-come-to-commuter-rail-1856601e
2177892
/locations/9058527
42.34754
-71.228919
MBTA Commuter Rail - West Newton Station
1396 Washington St, West Newton, MA
/articles/faster-wi-fi-could-come-to-commuter-rail-1856601e
2177895
/locations/9058528
42.352012
-71.205192
MBTA Commuter Rail - Newtonville Station
770 Washington St, Newtonville, MA
/articles/faster-wi-fi-could-come-to-commuter-rail-1856601e
2177896
/locations/9058526
Monday, March 11, 2013
During last week's Land Use Committee working session, aldermen brought up a number of questions on the MBTA's proposed parking garage for the Riverside Station site.
As planning and discussion continues on the proposed Riverside Station mixed-use project, Newton aldermen are still looking for more details on the MBTA's proposed six-floor parking garage for the site. During a Land Use Committee working session last week, Aldermen questioned how certain parking would be monitored on the site and what the MBTA would charge for parking in the garage facility. Ward 2 Alderman-at-Large Susan Albright and Ward 7 Alderman-at-Large Marc Laredo asked about the pricing on the garage and whether people using the development's "community space" would have to pay for parking in the garage. "It's a very important question and not just a little detail," Laredo said. Planning Department Director Candace Havens said …
42.335598
-71.252625
/articles/newton-officials-seeking-more-details-on-proposed-mbta-garage
/locations/8985985
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Fare hikes and service cuts are a few options T officials proposed in an effort to close the $130 million budget deficit in 2014.
MBTA officials have proposed service cuts and fare increases if there is no increase in funding, based on a $130 projected budget deficit in fiscal year 2014. Director of Strategic Initiatives for the MBTA Charles Planck said at a MBTA finance committee meeting that in order to close the budget gap, T fares would need to go up 33 percent, which means subway fares would move up from $2 to $2.60, The Boston Globe reported Wednesday. There was also talk at the meeting of a 15 percent fare increase coupled with the possible elimination of up to 30 bus routes, according to the Globe. Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled an ambitious transportation plan in February that would potentially raise $1.02 billion per year for the next 10 years, some of which, …
42.32955
-71.19353
MBTA - Newton Center Station
Union St & Herrick Rd, Newton Centre, MA
/articles/future-deficit-forces-t-into-tough-choices-4f89b123
2177876
/locations/8964648
42.3468
-71.246962
MBTA Commuter Rail - Auburndale Station
477 Lexington St, Auburndale, MA
/articles/future-deficit-forces-t-into-tough-choices-4f89b123
2177892
/locations/8964649
Friday, February 22, 2013
Due to the strain on resources, the MBTA has no plans as of now to extend service hours despite massive local interest.
The days of the Night Owl bus service are long gone, and as of now, they may not return. MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said until the state implements Gov. Deval Patrick’s recent 21st Century Plan transportation budget roll out, late night service is out of the question. “Given the enormous strain on the MBTA’s limited resources, the Authority cannot even consider an extension of service hours before action is taken on the 21st Century Transportation Plan,” Pesaturo said in an email. The Night Owl bus service, which ran buses from the end of service at 1 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., existed between 2001 and 2005, but was too costly to maintain. Another major issue working against late night service is the short time it allows for crews to perform …
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Regularly scheduled service should resume by Monday, according to MBTA.com.
Updated 10:48 a.m. Looking to take the Green Line or the commuter rail in Newton? Well, you may want to keep shoveling out that car (or call a cab). As crews continue to dig out from the blizzard, MBTA service in Newton will remain suspended Sunday. Starting at 2 p.m., limited subway and bus service will run on the Red, Orange and Blue lines between Orient Heights and Government Center, and the Green Line between Kenmore and Lechmere, according to MBTA.com/weather. Limited bus service will also operate on the 1, 23, 28, 39, and Silver Line Washington Street only. Customers are encouraged to stay home and "use service sparingly," if possible, the website said. Commuter rail routes will remain suspended through Sunday. The MBTA weather …
Saturday, February 9, 2013
The transit shutdown will continue indefinitely.
The now two-day blizzard that has crushed Newton has caused the MBTA to stay shut down through Saturday. “Due to the impacts of a severe winter storm, MBTA service will remain suspended on all modes Saturday, February 9, 2013,” says a post on MBTA.com. MBTA personnel will be clearing tracks in an effort to get the subways, commuter rail trains and buses back up and running. The MBTA does not have an estimate on when service will resume. For more Newton storm information, check out our Newton Storm Center for all the updates you need. You can also receive Newton storm updates by following us on Facebook, Twitter or our email newsletters.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
During severe winter weather, the MBTA may reduce its scheduling of trains, buses and other modes of transportation.
The MBTA adjusts the scheduling of all of its modes of transportation in real time during severe snow events, and the service provides several frequently-updated resources to check while the snow is coming down. With a potential blizzard on the way Friday into Saturday, the MBTA may put into effect its severe weather service plan, which includes a reduction of service on the subways, commuter rails, buses, boats and the RIDE. If you plan to take the T in or out of Newton during the blizzard, make sure you check these resources: On the web: The MBTA provides a winter weather website which is active during major snow events. This site will provide detail of a reduction in service in real-time: MBTA.com/winter. MBTA.com is the homepage, which…
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
A pair of problems on the MBTA snarled the commute for many, leaving some out in the freezing temperatures waiting for trains and shuttle buses.
On the coldest morning of the season so far, hundreds of local commuters were forced to wait outside for bus shuttles after the T shut down Green Line service to Downtown Boston due to smoldering cable wires. Service had resumed by 11 a.m. on Wednesday, soon enough for the afternoon commuters, but not soon enough for those traveling in the morning. On top of the Green Line trouble, commuter rail passengers had to wait in single-digit temperatures Wednesday morning as many Framingham/Worcester commuter rail trains faced delays between 20-45 minutes. As of 11:30 a.m., the P518 (10:50 a.m.) inbound train was still facing 10- to 15-minute delays. TELL US: Were you stranded out in the cold this morning? Stuck waiting for a train or a shuttle …
peter
10:04 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
Our flight was delayed, landing at Logan after T service had ended (despite our clever planning.) $45 later, the taxi got us home, so needless to say I'd pay $5 or even $10 for late T service. more ›