smulder

World Carfree Day is September 22

Post published:September 4, 2006
Post author:smulder

Join the annual celebration of alternatives to the automobile. For more information, visit World Carfree Network. Also check out the AltWheels Transportation Festival on September 22-23 on Boston City Hall Plaza.

Study comparing rail and bus transit

Post published:September 1, 2006
Post author:smulder

A new study debunks the myth that Bus Rapid Transit is successful in most places and puts bus in its proper place: below rail options in densely populated corridors. Evaluating New Start Transit Program Performance: Comparing Rail And Bus (PDF)

STEP meeting

Post published:August 28, 2006
Post author:smulder

Topics included the Boston MPO's TIP, UPWP, and RTP, the bus survey, the Green Line Forum, the Community Path, and more. Meeting notes (PDF)

Take action and demand a Green Line

Post published:July 27, 2006
Post author:smulder

It has been more than seven long months since the Dec. 15, 2005, hearing held by the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection on the Ozone SIP “transit commitments.” Now the state is six months behind schedule in releasing the SIP commitments. This is critical because the SIP commitments must be submitted to the federal Environmental Protection Administration for review and approval before funding for construction of the Green Line can be secured. These delays are holding back progress on the Green Line.
Keep reading for how you can help.

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Somerville Legislative Delegation gets Green Line update

Post published:July 27, 2006
Post author:smulder

The following is from Denise Provost’s email newsletter…
On Monday, July 24, I organized a meeting for the Somerville Legislative Delegation with representatives from MassHighway, MBTA, the Executive Office of Transportation (EOT), and from the City of Somerville to discuss the Green Line extension. Specifically, we met to clarify the timeline for progress on the Green Line extension, from engineering and public process, to identifying a funding source for the project.
We learned that EOT has a consultant doing some of the environmental evaluations, and expects to hold a public hearing this September (date TBA) on the Environmental Notification Form (ENF) for the project. The redrafted Ozone State Implementation Plan (âOzone SIPâ) regulations have gone to the state’s Office of Administration and Finance (A&F), and are expected to be released within the next month or two. It is expected that the project will be in the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) in July, 2007, but that an alignment and station locations will not be identified until the end of 2007 or in 2008.

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STEP meeting

Post published:July 24, 2006
Post author:smulder

Topics included outreach for the MPO TIP and UPWP comment period, the bus survey, and several Green Line issues. Meeting notes (PDF)

Boston MPO releases transportation plans and projects

Post published:July 17, 2006
Post author:smulder

The Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has posted drafts of two important documents. The FY 2007 Draft Unified Planning Work Program (known as the UPWP) is an annual summary of all transportation planning projects expected to be undertaken in the region during the fiscal year. The 2007-2010 Transportation Improvement Program (known as the TIP) shows all transportation projects in the next…

Take the Somerville Bus Survey!

Post published:July 15, 2006
Post author:smulder

STEP is sponsoring a survey of current bus service in Somerville. This is your chance to be heard! Take the Bus Survey

STEP at ArtBeat

Post published:July 15, 2006
Post author:smulder

ArtBeat
This year STEP shared a booth with the Somerville Bicycle Committee and also hosted some Green Line friends from Medford. Thanks to everyone who dropped by! Click for more pictures.

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Public transportation essential during emergencies

Post published:July 12, 2006
Post author:smulder

Published in the LivableStreets e-bulletin
By Jeffrey Rosenblum and Chella Rajan
Amidst this week’s finger-pointing barrage, following Milena Del Valle’s tragic death in the Big Dig, one agency stepped up efforts to maintain normalcy in Boston and the region: the MBTA.
Tuesday, as state and federal inspectors began investigating the cause of the collapse of 12 tons of roof slabs in the Ted Williams tunnel, travelers had to use alternate routes to Logan Airport. With the motorists’ two-tunnel option to Logan now cut in half, many travelers clogged the Callahan tunnel, formerly the primary route to Logan Airport, causing massive traffic backups.
Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority increased service levels to rush-hour frequency on both the Orange and Blue Lines, and secured special access for Silver Line buses through the stricken Ted Williams tunnel.

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