Updated: 7:15 PM EDT May 13, 2021 Karen Anderson Jon Wells There is a major capital project underway at the MBTA that many people know little if anything about despite its nearly $1 billion price tag. It does not make the public transit safer or speed up the subway, but it does make it easier for the T to collect your money.When this lengthy and expensive project is complete, riders will have more ways to pay to get on all modes of MBTA transportation by credit card, debit card or by tapping a smartphone. According to the transit agency, it will be more convenient and efficient.But this project, known as Automated Fare Collection 2.0, or AFC 2.0, is already years behind schedule and hundreds of million dollars over budget. I think taxpayers and fare-payers should be asking some very tough questions about whether they re getting a good deal on AFC 2.0, said Chris Dempsey of Transportation for Massachusetts, a nonprofit group that s been monito
MBTA must restore crucial bus lines
Updated April 9, 2021, 7:00 a.m.
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Globe Staff
The Tâs plan to cut service was a disaster for equity, hitting Black, brown, and low-income neighborhoods hardest. Iâm glad that the MBTA has announced that itâs reversing course. But weâre also hearing that it may be months before service is restored on key bus lines, like routes 18, 55, and 68. These lines were canceled effective March 14, even as public outcry demanded service restoration.
There are thousands of Bostonians who depend on the T. Folks who have no choice, like essential workers trying to get to their jobs, elders going grocery shopping, people getting medical care or vaccines. If the bus is canceled, these transit-dependent riders and essential workers will have to call an expensive ride-hailing service or risk losing their jobs. Their transportation costs go up exponentially.