MBTA Fill-A-Bus Toy Drive

Courtesy: MBTA

Next week the MBTA, along with MassDOT, Radio 92.9, and Equity Office will be sponsoring a toy drive in front of South Station.

The goal of the drive is to fill a 40 foot MBTA bus with toys that will benefit Boston-area charities during the holiday season. These charities include the Action for Boston Community Development, Freedom House, The Yawkey Boys and Girls Club, and The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

They will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys from 8am-6pm December 10th through the 14th. 

Be sure to go out and support this great cause! 

Who's Who for MBTA Info on Twitter

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Flickr User: net_efekt

Whether you like it or not, Twitter has become a powerhouse for down to the second information and news coverage over the past few years. From breaking news to seeing what your best friend is doing today, Twitter is now a go to spot to access news and information for millions of people across the globe.

On a local level, Twitter is how many people know whats happening around their communities, as well as how community officials keep in contact with their constituents. There are a plentiful amount of accounts here in the Boston area that are tweeting about local happenings and events as well as accounts were residents can tweet their concerns to city and government officials.

Personally, I find that there are just way to many informative accounts here in the city and sometimes it is very hard to keep track of them all. Over the next few months I will be creating guides like this to help organize the thousands of of Twitter accounts that help to keep Boston informed on a regular basis.

Here is Boston to a T's guide to MBTA information on Twitter:

The Obvious

These are the MUST follow accounts for anyone who rides the MBTA.

@mbta

     

     - The official Twitter account of the MBTA. (If only the GM actually tweeted)

@MBCR_info

     

     -  The official Twitter account of the MBCR (the company which operates the Commuter Rail for the MBTA)  They regularly answer customer questions & concerns. 

@MBTA_Alerts

     - This automated feed tweets every alert for MBTA bus, subway, rail, and water transport.

@Tbusops

     - This feed is run and maintained by the MBTA's Bus Operations Department. They tweet alerts and information about the MBTA bus system. 

@MBTATransitPD

     - The official twitter account of the MBTA's Transit Police Department. Tweets include information about arrests, alerts, and other system information. 

@MassDOT

     - The official twitter account of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. MassDOT CEO Rich Davey also tweets from this account on a regular basis. Tweets include information about the transportation infrastructure in MA: bridges, roads, MBTA ect.

The Informers

     

These accounts are your source for accurate, up-to-date, informative, and historical information regarding the MBTA.

@BostonUrbEx - A.P. Blake  

@MBTAinfo - Andy Monat

@Steven_DeMeo - Steven DeMeo

@UniversalHub - Adam Gaffin 

@BJustin - Justin B. 

@scampbell857 - Scottie Campbell

@smeuse89 - Stephen M.

@ZachTuckerSM - Zach Tucker 

@NathanSpencer - Nathan Spencer 

@steveannear - Steve Annear 

@Limegroove - Michal Skrzypek

@Division2Supt - Stuart Spina

@TheTAdventure

@Carmensunion589 - Official account of 589 the MBTA's Carmen's Union 

@RateTheMBTA - Letting MBTA customers share their experiences both good and bad. 

The Observers

Have something to complain about, see something out of the ordinary, or just having a bad commute? These are your sources for all things weird, funny, scary, and frustrating on the MBTA.

@TStruggles - Tweeting the everyday struggles that come with riding the T. 

@OverheardMBTA - A collection of tweets "reflecting the angst and misery of riding the MBTA." 

@PeopleOntheT - Tweeting pictures of people on the T.

@GirlOnMBTA - Hating the T everyday.

@Green_Liner - A commuter experience on the T. 

@MBTAprobs -The good, the bad, the ugly, and the truth of the MBTA.

@MBTArules - Tweeting about the definitive rules for riding the T. 

@MBTAWorkerBee- Tweets about commuting and the D-Line.

@Peopleonthebus - Happenings on the MBTA's bus system.

@MBTweetA - Tweeting the "funny, crazy, and sometimes wildly inappropriate things you see and hear on America's oldest subway."

The Parodies

Just because...

@Mr_mbTa - Who knew that Mr. T rode the T

@MBTAHULK - Hulk is ready to smash the Green Line

@BigRedMass - Tweets from the MBTA's very own cattle car.

@StrollerCat - Remember that woman with the cat in a stroller on the Red Line? 

@MBTADeer - Some people on twitter thought that Bambi was roaming the Red Line tunnels....and might have caused the Cambridge Blackout. 

We here at Boston to a T also have a Twitter account. We like to say that we Tweet about "Anything and Everything Boston" but we also tweet a lot of MBTA information too. Follow us @Boston_to_a_T

MBTA Fares to be Increased by 23%

©2012 Boston to a T

Riders would pay about 23% more for their commute under a new proposal unveiled today by the MBTA.

This is the third and final proposal unveiled by MBTA officials that will help deter the T's projected $180 Million budget shortfall next fiscal year. This final scenario will be submitted for approval by the MBTA Board of Directors on April 4th and the new changes will go into effect on July 1st.

This plan was created after MBTA officials spent months traveling around the state asking customers their thoughts on T cuts and fare increases at a series of public meetings. "We’ve spent the last two months out at 30 hearings listening to customers, and our proposal I think reflects what we’ve heard from our customers," said MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey,  “Overwhelmingly, we heard from folks that they were opposed to cuts in service."

This final proposal is much less drastic than the two scenarios that proceeded it. Under the new plan fares would be increased about 23% on the subway and bus system. A one way subway fare with a Charlie Card will hit a high of $2.00 and a one way bus fare with a Charlie Card will rise to $1.50. Also, a monthly link pass will be hiked up from $59 to $70. 

The controversial service reductions that were laid out in the first two proposals are much less severe in this new scenario. 

Under the plan the T will only eliminate four of its over 200 bus routes and reduce trips on 14 other routes. Weekend commuter rail service on the Greenbush, Plymouth/Kingston, and Needham lines will also be discontinued.  Weekend green line E branch trollies will be stopping short of Heath and terminating at Brigham Circle station, allowing riders to reach the Longwood Medical Area and the MFA.

The the T's ferry service, which would have seen a huge reduction in service, will only see increased fares and the elimination of the Quincy ferry on weekends. Ferry fares will be raised about 35 percent

Along with the cuts in service and fare increases the MBTA has also found other sources of revenue to close their budget gap. They will be transferring $51 Million from the states Motor Vehicle Inspection Trust Fund (which is reserved for projects that will help improve air quality), $5 Million from the states snow and ice removal surplus, and $5 Million from leasing the North Station Garage. 

According to MassDOT Secretary Richard Davey, although this proposal will help the MBTA close their projected budget shortfall for next year, it is only a temporary band aid and the agency is likely to be in the same position next year.  

You can check out a full set of documents on the new proposal HERE

You can also see Richard Davey' and Jonathan Davis' letter to their customers HERE

MBTA fare increase may happen sooner than you think

It has been about five years since the MBTA has implimented any type of fair increase. The T is also the only transit agency in the United States that has not increased fares since 2007. This could very soon be a thing of the past for Boston area commuters though.

Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation and former MBTA GM Richard Davey announced last week that a "Modest" fare increase is definitely on the table. This comes after an independent advisory committee explained to MassDOT and the MBTA that they will need over $15 Billion to keep the infrastructure safe and operable.

Newton Center Station (For Sale)

Currently the MBTA's day to day operating costs exceed the money they are taking in from their ridership and adverting. The cash strapped organization is also facing a $161 Million shortfall next fiscal year. The T is taking every measure to try and close that gab but a fair increase seems imminent. The T has tried everything, from selling ad space all over the system and their website, to implementing renewable energies, to selling MBTA merchandise and even their properties. At present, the T just put the Newton Center MBTA station, which is located on the Riverside Branch of the Green line, up for sale. The 120 year old building, which is home to a restaurant, is being sold for a minimum of $700,000. According to Acting MBTA GM Jonathan Davis when sold the money received will be reinvested back into the system to try and put a small dent in the organizations $8 billion debt and $4.8 Billion maintenance backlog.

MBTA employees and retirees may also be unhappy with the way the T is trying to find ways to fill its budget gab. Currently on the table is taking away the MBTA retirees free rides for life pass. Negotiations with the MBTA workers union are also currently underway to try and eliminate the current employee free rides for personal use program. Last year the MBTA lost about $4.5 million in revenue because of the free rides of MBTA workers and retirees. This is going to be a tricky process for the T though. The workers union is not going to give up without a fight.

Overall, its hard to say that a fare increase is not going to happen sometime within the next year. This news is not going over well with most of Massachusetts commuters. The fact is, the T is currently one of the cheapest transit systems to ride. We also have not raised fares since 2007 which is unheard of! I feel like that the T definitely needs to increase fairs. If we want to continue to have safe and extensive transit system in this city we are going to have to sit back and just deal with it.

Interim MBTA GM unveiled

Davis (left) Davey (right)                            Courtesy: MBTA

Today, more than two weeks after Richard Davey was named the new MassDOT Secretary of Transportation, Richard Davey announced his interim replacement.

Since 1995 Jonathan Davis has overseen and maneuvered all of the MBTA's finances as the T's Chief Financial Officer and Deputy GM. He has been finding interesting way to pay the debt struck MBTA's bills for over fifteen years. His new job, which he will hold for about two months while a search committee can find a permanent replacement, will certainly be a lot more trying. Currently he is not being considered for the permanent position.

Davis has expressed that he would like to continue to work on the goals and ideas that Davey has brought to the T. These include the high focus on safety and customer service. The largest goal for Davis over his two months as the GM is to keep the T's finances in perfect order. I feel that because he has so much experience with the MBTA's finances already he can keep moving the agency forward all while keeping it stable.

Davis has over 40 years working in the financial world. Before joining the T he worked for Lynnfield based H.P. Hood dairy as a Vice President, Chief Controller, Operations Planner, and Treasurer. He starts his job officially on September 2nd the same day that Richard Davey becomes head of MassDOT. I really hope that Davis continues to grow on what Davey has already started and I really hope the new permanent GM isn't like some other we had in the past!
 I will keep you all posted as the search process moves forward!

Introducing Secretary of Transportation: Richard Davey

Courtesy: MassDOT

Today Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick appointed the current MBTA General Manager, Richard Davey, to be Massachusetts next Secretary of Transportation. Davey will become Patricks fourth Secretary of Transportation and will be replacing Jeffery Mullin who announced  last month he would be stepping down from his position in order to return to his old law firm.

The new job is defiantly a huge step up for Davey, who for the past year and a half has been slowly but surely fixing the disaster that is the T. He will now oversee not just the T and other public transportation but also, the states highways and airports. While at the T Davey was committed to improving safety and customer service and those were the two key reasons why Gov. Patrick chose him for the job. The Gov. hopes that the energetic leadership style Davey used while heading the MBTA will be brought over the MassDOT and help him reform the organization.

Jeffery Mullins' choice to vacate his current position come at a very interesting time for MassDOT. The past few months have brought a lot of scrutiny to both Mullin and MassDOT because of multiple 110-pound lighting fixtures falling from the ceiling of the central artery tunnel. No injuries were reported in the incidents but they uncovered that many workers were aware of the ongoing problem but it did not get brought up to Mullin until about a month after it was discovered.

Just like when he took over the reigns of the MBTA Richard Davey will have to figure out how to deal with revenue shortfalls. He will also have to deal with the overbearing debt that is still being racked up because of the Big Dig.

Now lets take a little time to focus on what Richard Davey has done for the MBTA over his year and a half on the job.

*He has avoided fair increases
*He help to set a standard for excellent customer service
*Seen the T's ridership skyrocket to record numbers
*Introduced the first new locomotives in twenty years
*Has 75 new bi-level coaches on order for commuter rail
*Implemented the use of "Smart" technologies for Parking and Bus, Subway, and Commuter Rail info
*Introduced MBTAgifts.com
*Increased advertising revenue with new way for companies to advertise across the MBTA system
*Station renovations
*First steps to making the MBTA "Go Green"

All of these things, plus many many more, have truly made Richard Davey one of the most successful and responsible GM's in MBTA history. For sure he will be missed when he leaves for his new post, but hopefully he can do the state a lot more good. Davey has stated that he will be highly involved in the processes of finding his replacement. He is set to take over his new position on September 1st.

I really hope the new GM picks up right where Davey left off because if they don't the MBTA is going to just keep crumbling and crumbling. Davey aided the T in so many ways but there is still so much that is going to need to be fixed.