Tag

Mbta

All articles tagged with #mbta

transportation1 year ago

MBTA to Launch Contactless Fare Payment System This Summer

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will begin rolling out a new contactless fare collection system this summer after years of delays and budget increases. The Automated Fare Collection 2.0 system will allow payments via credit card or mobile wallets on bus and subway lines, with further expansions planned for 2025 and 2026. The project, initially estimated at $753 million, has seen costs rise to $926 million.

transportation1 year ago

MBTA Agrees to $148M Deal with Chinese Manufacturer for Faster Subway Car Delivery

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will pay CRRC an additional $148 million for new train cars, bringing the total cost of the contract to about $871 million. The project has faced severe delivery delays, quality issues, and financial challenges, leading to the need for extra funds. The new agreement aims to expedite the delivery of the remaining cars by 2027 and includes reimbursements for increased expenses, tariffs, and incentives for meeting deadlines. Despite the setbacks, the MBTA is committed to providing reliable cars for riders and is considering changes to its procurement process for future train car purchases.

crime-and-justice1 year ago

"Former MBTA Police Officer Sentenced to Prison for On-Duty Rapes"

Former MBTA Transit Police officer Shawn McCarthy was sentenced to four to six years in prison for raping two women while on duty in 2012. The 50-year-old will serve two years of probation and register as a sex offender after his release. The victims provided emotional statements in court, with one expressing forgiveness and the other describing the impact of the assault. The judge emphasized the importance of holding a police officer accountable for crimes committed while in uniform, and the MBTA Transit Police Chief acknowledged the survivors' courage and bravery.

crime1 year ago

Ex-MBTA Officer Sentenced to Prison for Raping 2 Women on Duty

Former MBTA Transit Police officer Shawn McCarthy has been sentenced to four to six years in state prison, followed by two years of probation, after being convicted of raping two women in his cruiser while on duty near the Museum of Science in 2012. The victims, who were in their early 20s at the time, were offered a joyride by McCarthy and subjected to sexual acts after he threatened not to take them back downtown until he got something out of it. McCarthy resigned from the department after being placed on administrative leave in December 2019.

transportation1 year ago

"MBTA's Orange Line Partial Closure: Shuttle Service for 4 Days in April"

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority will replace part of the Orange Line subway with shuttle buses for four days to conduct infrastructure upgrades as part of the Track Improvement Program, aiming to provide riders with a more reliable and safer trip. Free and accessible shuttle buses will operate between Jackson Square and Back Bay stations, with additional services to connect to the Commuter Rail and Green Line. Free fares will be available at specific stations, and the Commuter Rail will be fare-free between certain stops. The MBTA will provide additional information through in-station signage, public announcements, and on-site staff and transit ambassadors.

transportation1 year ago

MBTA Green Line Derailment Prompts Shuttle Bus Service Near Kenmore

A westbound Green Line B-branch trolley derailed near Kenmore Station, prompting the MBTA to suspend trolley services and provide shuttle buses. No injuries were reported among the estimated 25 passengers, and service was suspended for over eight hours as engineers re-railed the trolley. The MBTA had conducted rigorous testing prior to reopening the Green Line B-branch after construction work. This incident caused frustration for riders, particularly those awaiting the return of service during construction, and the MBTA is diligently working to restore regularly scheduled service and investigate the cause.

local-news1 year ago

"Milton Loses State Grant Over Rejected MBTA Housing Plan"

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey's administration has withdrawn a $140,800 grant for seawall improvements from Milton after the town rejected the MBTA Communities Act zoning plan, putting it in violation of state law. The plan, which would have allowed for over 2,400 new housing units, was voted down by the town, leading to the loss of significant grant funding and a competitive disadvantage for future grants. The administration hopes to work with Milton on a new plan to bring the town into compliance with the law.

transportation1 year ago

"MBTA Green, Blue, and Orange Line Service Halted by Power Outage"

A power problem is causing significant delays on the MBTA Green, Blue, and Orange lines, with trains being held at platforms for over an hour. MBTA crews are working to restore power, and passengers are advised to use alternative transportation options such as Commuter Rail and SL3 Bus service. Countdown clocks in stations may not provide real-time predictions, and the disruption is impacting MBTA stations and the signal system.

transportation1 year ago

"Boston Mayor Wu Extends Fare-Free Bus Program on Three Routes Until 2026"

Boston Mayor Wu's administration has extended the free bus fare program on three heavily used MBTA routes – 23, 28, and 29 – until March 2026, using federal pandemic relief funds to cover the costs. The initiative, which began in March 2022, has saved riders over $6 million on more than 12 million trips and brought the routes close to pre-pandemic ridership levels. The program aims to increase reliability, efficiency, and convenience for riders, with more than half of the riders on these routes qualifying as low-income.