Listen up MBTA
Recent efforts to increase dialogue between MBTA and riders
DO YOU FEEL SAFE TAKING THE T
DO YOU FEEL SAFE TAKING THE T
In the 90s, the MBTA encountered financial difficulties, leading to fare increases and service cuts in response to budget deficits and old rail infrastructure. During this time, the Central Artery/Tunnel Project, or the “Big Dig,” influenced Boston's transportation landscape, ultimately affecting the MBTA. The project included extending the Red Line while introducing the Silver Line’s bus rapid transit service. In the 2000s, the MBTA continued facing ongoing challenges and opportunities. Investments were made regarding system upgrades, technology, and sustainability initiatives. These measures aimed to mediate and repair immediate concerns with long-term plans to ensure the efficiency and accessibility of public transportation.
John Portz, a Northeastern University professor in the College of Social Sciences and a transportation historian, emphasizes the difficulties faced by the MBTA throughout history. “The MBTA has had a real maintenance problem – maintaining the property, maintaining the system...” from buying new cars to being understaffed, Portz explains how the issues faced by the MBTA are nothing new.
The MBTA's history reflects its efforts to adapt to evolving urban dynamics, financial constraints, and the need for reliable public transportation.
History & Evolution
While Boston’s railway system dates back to the 1800s, The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has played a significant role in shaping public transportation in the Greater Boston area since it was established on August 3rd, 1964. Created in response to challenges faced by transit issues, the MBTA took over operations to address the growing transportation needs of eastern Massachusetts. Often referred to as the “T”, the MBTA was the first combined regional transit system in the United States.
According to Gordana Rabrenovic, a Northeastern University professor specialized in urban and suburban transportation issues, the MBTA was not only a revolutionary addition to Eastern Massachusetts' transportation system, but an immensely positive impact to its communities as a whole. “The role [of transportation] in cities, especially a city like Boston, can go overlooked. [People] don’t understand the importance of having a smooth transport system. It adds value to a city and can directly impact its citizens.” Rabrenovic explains that according to her research, a successful transportation system can impact the quality of life of its citizens, which often leads to economic uprisings.
During the 70s and 80s, the MBTA focused on modernizing and expanding its system. This period saw the purchase of new subway cars and buses to enhance service efficiency. Rail lines were extended, and new commuter rail services were introduced to meet the increasing demand for transportation.
THERE HAS BEEN A MBTA RIDERSHIP decline post covid
After COVID, riderships have gone from 1,000,000 average monthly riders to 750,000. At the same time municipal efforts to fix and expand existing infrastructure have increased, with the annual operating expenses rising by about 420 million dollars from 2019 to 2023.
Listen up MBTA recent efforts to increase dialogue between mbta and riders
HEAR THIS
Yes “LISTEN UP MBTA sat down with John Portz, a Northeastern professor who teaches Urban Policies and Politics, to further understand broader transportation issues that impact the MBTA.
what are people saying?
present day issues
The MBTA has long been a cornerstone of public transportation in the Greater Boston area. However, as commuters rely on its services daily, the system continues to deal with a handful of issues that impact accessibility, delays, safety, and overall reliability.
Accessibility
One of the most common, pressing multifaceted concerns impacting the MBTA’s subway system is accessibility. When thinking of physical accessibility for people with disabilities, there is substantial room for growth. Many stations lack elevators, ramps, or other essential features, making it challenging for those with mobility issues to navigate the system. Further, some stations do not have ticket booths, so individuals with limited movement need to make the extra trek to a station where they can refill their transit cards or purchase tickets. This not only limits the day-to-day, for affected individuals, but also raises questions about the commitment to fostering an inclusive transportation environment.
Accessibility extends beyond physical limitations, and can translate to accessibility in communication. At a time when information is not only vital for navigation but communication mediums have become much easier to use, the MBTA should ensure that announcements, schedules, and updates are accessible to all. This includes providing real-time information in various formats to ensure citizens are always aware of what is going on with the system. Isabella Tovar, a fifth-year student at Northeastern University, speaks on the frequency of green line cancellations and the lack of awareness around those cancellations. Tovar explains that there’s been more than one instance during her five years in Boston where she showed up to a green line station to realize the line was closed or undergoing maintenance. “It’s a waste of time and sometimes money because I have even had to Uber to a station when the weather was really bad. Sometimes I just end up Ubering to where I want to go anyway,” said Tovar.
Boston's MBTA train is a daily staple for a broad spectrum of the city's population. Gliding along the tracks, it's a witness to the everyday hustle of students, workers, and families. The green line, a fixture in the urban landscape, offers a reliable thread that stitches together the varied fabric of Boston's neighborhoods. As it meanders through the city, framed by the seasonal colors of the trees, it's a quiet reminder of the shared experiences that public transit brings to urban life. Simple, efficient, and inclusive, the MBTA is Boston's lifeline, moving people and stories with every stop.
This infrequency of arriving trains leaves trains and stations with large crowds and in some cases riders have to wait for multiple trains to arrive to be able to get on one that isn’t already full. This decreases ridership, meaning that the T receives less revenue, which only exacerbates existing problems. This cycle of deterioration will continue for as long as the management of the T leaves these problems to fester.
On the T’s greenline many stations are merely open air stops on the road. This brings up a number of problems, noteworthily inaccessibility of Charlie Cards and competing with car traffic. Without ticketing machines, riders getting on at street level stops are unable to purchase tickets or add funds to their Charlie Cards, and in some cases unable to ride for this reason. Additionally, trains running above ground have to work parallel to cars meaning that they essentiaLly need to follow the rules of the road. Trains waiting at stop lights is counterintuitive as a benefit of public transit is traditionally avoiding traffic.
Particularly in recent years, the T has been tardy, forcing those who rely on it to leave significantly longer travel times than before. “I have to leave massively early to guarantee I’ll actually be on time to work and it’s getting ridiculous. It’s impossible to rely on its service in its current state.”(Emily, Malden. Boston.com).
In the midst of Boston's transit hustle, a stationary escalator in a station stands as a stark emblem of neglect. Its yellow barriers signal more than a temporary inconvenience; they speak to a broader narrative of a crumbling infrastructure often overlooked. This silent fixture, with its dormant steps, tells a story of deferred maintenance and the challenges facing the city's public transportation system. The contrast between the intent for movement and the reality of stagnation is palpable, reflecting a call for renewed attention and investment in the arteries that keep Boston moving.
The doors of Boston's MBTA train stand open, offering a snapshot of daily commutes in the city. These brief moments of pause are when the hustle of the city briefly intersects with the quiet waiting of the train—doors ajar, ready for the next group of passengers to step in and carry on with their day. It's a routine gesture, yet essential, marking the start and end of countless journeys across the city.
accessibility cont.
Adding to the issues of accessibility, the MBTA has long faced criticism of financial accessibility, or a lack-thereof. The issue of financial accessibility has emerged as a significant concern for riders. With the MBTA adjusting fare rates to address budget issues, the burden on riders—especially students, low-income individuals, and daily commuters—can become considerable. Camilo Auyero, a private transit organizer at Greenroots Inc., a community-based organization dedicated to improving urban issues in Chelsea, has seen this happen firsthand. “Historically [underserved] communities like East Boston and Chelsea have had less access to public transportation as a result of policies like redlining,” said Auyero. “I think the general sentiment from the communities I work with is that they don’t trust the MBTA. People [in the communities I serve] are frustrated with the affordability and reliability of the MBTA.”
The question of how to balance the need for revenue with the need to keep public transportation economically viable for all riders remains a central challenge. Portz explains that while certain measures have been taken by the MBTA to remedy this issue, they have a long way to go. Portz explains that there have been additional bus lines put in place for certain low income neighborhood individuals who may lack proximity to some subway stations, but nothing has occurred directly within the subway system. Portz adds that addressing financial accessibility requires creative solutions, such as the implementation of subsidy programs. “Ensuring that those with lower incomes have access to discounted or subsidized fare options can mitigate the economic burden on vulnerable communities,” said Portz.
INTERVIEW VIDEOS
Our team went to the T station and asked people about their personal experiences and safety thoughts on the T. Take a look at what they think.
mbta ridership by mode
The MBTA reports that it has an average weekly ridership of 725,395 riders, according to data sourced on January 2023. 51% of that ridership is attributed to the Subway, with approximately 370,024 riders per week. This data indicates that the subway system remains the most popular transit system, and that further development of its various line should be prioritized
DELAYS
The persistent challenge of delays has become a defining aspect of the MBTA experience,
influencing the daily lives of countless commuters. As the MBTA deals with the various issues contributing to delays, the impact on schedules, reliability, and the overall commuter experience comes under scrutiny. Delays have become a “part of the experience” with the MBTA, said Tovar. “I live in Cambridge and commute to [Northeastern]. While the green line is a really easy and simple way of getting to campus in theory, delays always get in the way. My advice is to keep delays in mind always, because they are very likely to happen, whether you are waiting for a delayed train or stuck in one.”
For individuals relying on the MBTA for daily commuting, delays present a significant strain on schedules. Whether heading to work, school, or appointments, the unpredictability of transit times makes it challenging to plan with confidence. According to data provided by the MBTA, 27% of riders “strongly disagreed” when asked if the MBTA provides reliable public transportation. When asked about the data, Tovar said she was surprised the percentage wasn’t greater.
Addressing delays requires keeping track of their causes. Whether they stem from aging infrastructure, maintenance issues, signal problems, or external factors, understanding what leads to these delays is essential for implementing effective solutions. Rabrenovic stated that when looking at cities, “investing in infrastructure upgrades, adopting predictive maintenance technologies, and developing comprehensive contingency plans” can all be ways to medicate delay and reliability issues.
SAFETY
Ensuring the safety of passengers is an important responsibility for any public transportation system. Unfortunately, the MBTA faces ongoing challenges and opportunities in maintaining a safe and secure transit environment. Reports have been made of life threatening instances, such as the 2021 green line crash which resulted in a passenger getting critically injured. In 2022, an orange line train caught on fire on a bridge, and dozens of passengers had to jump out of windows. Thankfully, no injuries were reported.
While these freak accidents are few and far between, the MBTA has continued to have smaller, more frequent safety related issues. Various T platforms’ infrastructure failures have resulted in falling ceiling panels. Similarly, videos have circulated of an individual letting a pet rat roam free on various train cars, despite the MBTA’s rules against leashed pets. Average riders on the T can often spot other passengers bringing in bikes and shopping carts, which would act as safety hazards, and are also strongly prohibited according to the MBTA.
Further, constant cancellations and closures of certain lines can lead other lines to end up packed, putting riders in dangerous situations. “When they cancel the green line, the orange line is so full. You can’t even breathe and it's scary because you feel like you may be crushed,” said Tovar. These packed cars can not only be unsafe when the train is moving, but also raise hygiene concerns. “It’s gross to be packed like sardines. And then everyone wonders why COVID-19 outbreaks [keep happening]. It cooks inside of the T cars,” laughed Tovar.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
WRITE YOUR THOUGHTS SO THE GOVERNMENT CAN HEAR WHAT YOU THINK NEEDS IMPROVING| YOU CAN ALSO GET INVOLVED WITH OUR COMMUNITY HERE TOO
Community organizer speaks on MBTA recent efforts
our social media mock up
