OCTOBER 2001 TRANSREPORT TRANSPORTATION NEWS FROM THE BOSTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

MBTA to Launch Public Process for 2002 Program for Mass Transportation Update The MBTA has at their regularly scheduled meetings to via the Web site at www.ctps.org, by e- begun the 2002 introduce the PMT and get people mail at [email protected], or by update of the Pro- involved. mail at CTPS, Suite 2150, 10 Park Plaza, gram for Mass Boston, MA 02116, Attn: PMT. To con- PUBLIC OUTREACH PROCESS Transportation tact the MBTA, call Steve Woelfel, Man- The current task in PMT development is (PMT), which ager of Long-Range Planning, at (617) an open-ended “visioning” phase, which defines a long-range 222-5000. involves broad public outreach. The vision for mass MBTA has scheduled six public work- transportation improvements in the shops to be held at various locations Visioning Ideas for Transit Sought MBTA service area of 175 cities and throughout the region to solicit ideas See the calendar on page 4 for towns. The PMT is the MBTA’s 25-year from commuters, students, shoppers, visi- upcoming PMT public workshops. capital plan, and its development is the tors, sports fans—anyone who travels. MBTA’s process for prioritizing projects Everyone is being invited to contribute and programs to meet future transporta- ideas for transit improvements that will EVALUATION OF PROJECT IDEAS tion needs. The plan will guide the meet current and future transportation MBTA as it continues to improve mass Following the close of the visioning needs in the region. The workshops will transportation in eastern Massachusetts phase, the PMT Working Committee be designed so that members of the pub- through the first quarter of the century. will organize ideas offered by the public lic may work closely with PMT staff in or developed through other service- The first task in PMT development was the discussion of ideas. The MBTA is planning processes into three basic cate- the formation of the PMT Working hopeful that the process of talking one- gories: Committee, which is composed of indi- on-one with staff and working hands-on • System preservation – Ideas that viduals representing a broad array of with maps and other media will stimulate address maintenance of existing infra- regional interests and perspectives. This ideas and useful suggestions for consider- structure (vehicles, track, stations, sig- committee, which meets monthly, is ation in the PMT. nal systems, etc.). responsible for guiding and advising the The calendar on page 4 provides infor- MBTA throughout the life of the project. • Service enhancements – Ideas for mation on the PMT public workshops to Members include representatives of state improving existing service, such as be held in October and the beginning of and regional agencies, municipalities, and automated bus-location systems, auto- November. Future workshops will be community-based organizations. The PMT Project Evaluation cont. on p. 2 announced in TRANSREPORT and posted Working Committee is currently tackling on the Boston MPO Web site at issues such as environmental justice, www.ctps.org/bostonmpo/involved/ travel demand modeling, and financing, INSIDE THIS ISSUE meetings. Members of the public who are and is developing a shared base of knowl- unable to attend the workshops are MPO activities update ...... 2 edge on which to base its recommenda- invited to submit project ideas to Clin- tions. Upcoming work involves develop- Central Artery Finance Plan ...... 2 ton Bench of the Central Transportation ment of the PMT mission statement, the MBTA Night Owl service ...... 3 Planning Staff (contact information is PMT goals and objectives, the initial list- given below). If you have questions or Acela service ...... 3 ing of proposed project ideas, and the comments, or if you would like to sched- Blue Line fleet replacement ...... 3 draft criteria for evaluating project ideas. ule a PMT meeting for your organization, Statewide bicycle/pedestrian The MBTA has also been meeting with contact Clinton Bench or Pam Wolfe at conference ...... 4 existing business and community groups CTPS by telephone at (617) 973-7100, Meeting calendar ...... 4

The members of the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO): Executive Office of Transportation and Construction • City of Boston • City of Everett • City of Newton • City of Peabody • Federal Highway Administration • Federal Transit Administration • Joint Regional Transportation Committee • Massachusetts Bay Transporta- tion Authority • Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Advisory Board • Massachusetts Highway Department • Massachusetts Port Authority • Massachusetts Turnpike Authority • Metropolitan Area Planning Council • Town of Bedford • Town of Framingham • Town of Hopkinton BOSTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION ACTIVITIES Updated Central Artery Finance Plan Submitted BOSTON MPO ENDORSEMENTS On October 1 the Massachusetts Turn- The Boston MPO met on September 12 to endorse an pike Authority submitted its updated amendment to the fiscal years 2001–06 Transportation Finance Plan for the Central Artery/Tun- Improvement Program. This amendment adjusted the non- nel project to the Federal Highway Artery portion of the TIP. Projects that were not ready to be advertised for construc- Administration (FHWA). The plan pre- tion were deferred and replaced with others that were ready. sents the cost, schedule, and funding On September 20 the MPO met again to endorse the FY 2002–07 TIP and the FY forecasts for the CA/T project based on 2002 Unified Planning Work Program. The endorsements were based on the recom- data collected as of March 31, 2001, mendations of the Sub-Signatory Committee and the Joint Regional Transportation although information on the project is Committee, made on September 17 and 11, respectively. The new TIP programs in provided covering through June 30. Sub- excess of $5.3 billion in highway and transit projects for the region’s 101 cities and mission of the Finance Plan meets towns. The UPWP describes some $7 million in transportation planning efforts to FHWA guidelines for the project estab- be undertaken in the region. lished in May 2000. The MPO conducted expanded public outreach for reviewing these documents this This update to the plan records changes year, holding four public meetings at various locations around the region during the to cost and schedule estimates that were 30-day review period and presenting the documents not only to the JRTC, its public set in the update of June 2000. The pro- advisory body, but also to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council subregions. Over jected total cost for the CA/T project has 90 comment letters were received. A summary of the comments and the MPO’s increased to $14.475 billion, $494 mil- responses are included in the final TIP and UPWP, which may be requested by con- lion of which is the result of the creation tacting the Central Transportation Planning Staff by telephone at (617) 973-7100, of a contingency fund for the project. by e-mail at [email protected], or by TTY at (617) 973-7089. Revisions to schedule milestones include JRTC UPDATE a nine-month extension on the opening At its September meeting, the JRTC heard reports from the chairs of its TIP and of the I-90 connection to the Ted UPWP review subcommittees, Malcolm Davis and Robert Sturgis, on their groups’ Williams Tunnel, which is now set for review of these documents. Following a unanimous recommendation for MPO September of 2002. The new I-93 north- endorsement of both documents, Joseph Cosgrove, Deputy Director of MBTA Plan- bound and I-93 southbound openings ning, briefed the committee on the draft MBTA Reverse Commuting Study. have each been extended for four months to November of 2002 and November of At the October meeting, the JRTC Nominating Committee will bring forward nom- 2003, respectively. The overall comple- inations for JRTC Chair and Vice Chair for election on that day. Marcy Crowley is tion date for the CA/T project remains currently serving as Vice Chair. Bill Deignan will be vacating his current office of December of 2004. JRTC Chair. See page four for meeting details. In the October 2000 Finance Plan, PMT Project Evaluation cont. from p. 1 $14.075 billion in funding for the project had been identified. The new cost esti- mated fare-collection systems, and The criteria for evaluation of projects mate requires an additional $400 million. enhancements to accessibility. will include analytical measurements of The new plan identifies the revenue a number of factors: expected ridership, • System expansion – Ideas such as the sources used to reach this goal. The cost-effectiveness, accessibility, environ- Urban Ring, the Blue Line extension Transportation Infrastructure Fund pro- mental impacts, environmental justice, to Lynn, commuter rail extensions, or vides an additional $50 million from and other factors. The measurement other, entirely new ideas. All transit higher-than-projected interest earnings methods and the other factors will be modes (bus, light rail, heavy rail, com- and $125 million from higher borrowing developed in consultation with the muter rail, boat) will be considered, capacity. A $150 million addition in the PMT Working Committee and in light along with bicycle and pedestrian state’s bond cap provides another source of comments received from the public. access. of revenue. The rest of the shortfall will There will be an initial prescreening, Goals and objectives for the PMT be made up through the sale of MassPike involving review by the PMT Working include maintaining the system in a real estate and surplus state bond cap Committee and the MBTA, which will state of good repair, enhancing mobility from fiscal year 2001. result in a smaller list of ideas warranting and access to jobs, reducing air pollu- To obtain a copy of the CA/T project’s further analysis using PMT evaluation tion, and supporting the region’s econ- October 2001 Finance Plan, visit the criteria. omy. Technical analysis of suggested project’s Web site at www.bigdig.com. projects will be conducted by CTPS.

TRANSREPORT 2OCTOBER 2001 MBTA Blue Line Fleet to Be Replaced MBTA Introduces “Night The MBTA’s board of directors has In an extensive modernization program, a Owl” Pilot Program approved the purchase of an entirely new series of construction projects have been The Massachusetts fleet of subway cars for the Blue Line. The taking place along the Blue Line right-of- Bay Transportation vehicles will complement the construction way since 1993. Construction of the new Authority rolled improvements currently taking place Airport Station continues to progress, and out its new late- along the line. Aquarium Station has been closed for night weekend bus almost one year to allow crews to update At its monthly meeting in August, the service on Septem- the station and extend the platforms to board voted to award a $172 million con- ber 7. The new accommodate the new trainsets, which tract to Siemens Transportation Systems service, named will use six cars per train instead of the Inc. for the delivery of 94 new vehicles “Night Owl,” consists of 10 routes that current four. Twenty-four of the existing beginning in 2003. The decision to con- follow the path of regular subway and Blue Line vehicles, when replaced, will be tract with Siemens came after a competi- streetcar lines, and seven regular bus overhauled and transferred to the Orange tive bidding process in which the MBTA routes: 1, 9, 28, 57, 66, 77, and 111. On Line fleet, as the two lines currently use received five proposals from companies Friday and Saturday nights, service now comparable trainsets. that had met preestablished criteria runs until 2:30 A.M. All of the MBTA’s rail regarding experience, technological lines (excluding commuter rail) have been expertise, and cost. provided with Night Owl service, except for the Mattapan High Speed Line; previ- Amtrak Acela Express Service Adding Trips, Riders ously, service along these rail lines ended around 12:30 A.M. On August 13 Amtrak increased its week- industry. Subsequent available data day Acela Express service to six round- (February–April) show on-time perfor- Night Owl’s first weekend exceeded the trips between Boston and New York and mance exceeding 97 percent; this MBTA’s expectations. Over 6,000 passen- eight round-trips between New York and included ahead-of-schedule arrivals by gers used the 17 routes during the first Washington. This was the third service over two-thirds of the evening trips from two-day period. The four Green Line increase since the high-speed service was Boston to New York. routes carried a combined 1,700 passen- gers per night, while the seven regular bus introduced in December 2000 with one On July 29 Acela Express reached the routes carried a combined 600 passengers round-trip per weekday between Boston milestone of 250,000 total riders served per night. Per-night totals for the other and Washington via New York. since the service began, exceeding many rail lines were as follows: a combined 300 The first increase, on March 5, added two ridership projections. In July alone, more passengers on the three Red Line routes, a weekday round-trips; the second, on April than 70,000 people purchased tickets for combined 250 passengers on the two 29, added four round-trips on weekdays Acela Express. Since September 11, rider- Orange Line routes, and 100 passengers on and introduced weekend service. Each ship has increased 40 percent, as many the Blue Line. The MBTA had projected weekend day there are three Boston– airlines have cut back on scheduled shut- 1,500 riders per night. Washington round-trips and one tle flights and waiting times at airports Boston–New York round-trip. Five of the have doubled. Nationally, train ridership With the introduction of Night Owl serv- six weekday Acela Express trains that has increased 15 percent since September ice, the MBTA has vehicles in operation arrive at and depart from South Station 11, and Amtrak officials are expecting fur- close to 24 hours a day from the start of run the entire corridor between Boston ther increases in ridership. Amtrak has service Friday morning until the end of and Washington. The sixth train travels asked Congress for $3.15 billion to recon- service Sunday (the Riverside Night Owl to and from New York only. Acela Express dition aging train cars, increase security, bus arrives at Riverside Station at 3:22 trains depart South Station at 6:12 A.M., and perform related infrastructure work A.M., only eight minutes before the Route 7:12 A.M., 9:12 A.M., 3:12 P.M., 5:12 P.M., along its Northeast Corridor to meet the 28 Sunrise service leaves Mattapan Sta- and 6:42 P.M. Trains arrive at South Sta- expected demand. tion). For more information on Night Owl service, visit the MBTA’s Web site at tion at 10:33 A.M., 11:33 A.M., 1:33 P.M., Amtrak will continue to add more Acela www.mbta.com. 8:34 P.M., 9:31 P.M., and 10:31 P.M. Express service as more trainsets arrive The travel times from Boston are approxi- from manufacturers Bombardier and mately three hours to New York and just ALSTOM, who are building a total of 20 over six hours to Washington. During its of the high-speed trainsets. Once all train- first month of operation, Acela Express sets are in service, there will be a total of achieved a 94 percent on-time- 19 daily round-trips between New York For Acela Express news, schedules, and performance rating, based on the 15- and Washington and 10 between Boston reservations, visit www.amtrak.com or call minute tolerance used by the airline and New York. 1-800-USA-RAIL.

TRANSREPORT 3OCTOBER 2001 Bicycle/Pedestrian MEETING CALENDAR Conference to Be Held The public is welcome to attend the following Tuesday, October 23 transportation-related meetings this month. Program for Mass Transportation, 4:00 P.M. “Moving Together,” a statewide bicycle MBTA: North Side Area Public AT THE STATE TRANSPORTATION Workshop and pedestrian conference, will be held BUILDING, 10 PARK PLAZA, North Station/FleetCenter October 23–October 24 at the Crowne BOSTON Legends Meeting Room 1 FleetCenter Lane, Boston Plaza Hotel in Worcester. The confer- Wednesday, October 3 ence will provide an opportunity to learn MBTA Board of Directors 1:00 P.M. Thursday, October 25 Conference Room 2/3 Program for Mass Transportation, 6:00 P.M. about current research, innovative pro- MBTA: North Suburban Area grams, and evaluation strategies relating Wednesday, October 10 Public Workshop Joint Regional Transportation 3:00 P.M. Malden Government Center to bicycle and pedestrian planning. Committee (JRTC) City Council Chamber Conference Room 2/3 200 Pleasant Street, Malden Registration for both days costs $50, for one day $30; in both cases, continental Thursday, October 18 MBTA Open House/Discussion 7:00 P.M. Fall River/New Bedford Commuter Boston MPO Sub-Signatory 10:00 A.M. breakfast, lunch and conference materials Rail Extension Committee are included. Space is limited. For regis- CTPS Conference Room, Suite 2150 Canton High School Cafeteria 900 Washington Street, Canton tration information, call the Baystate Wednesday, October 24 Monday, October 29 Roads Program at (413) 545-2604 or Access Advisory Committee 1:30 P.M. to the MBTA (AACT) Program for Mass Transportation, 6:00 P.M. MBTA: MetroWest Area Public send an e-mail to [email protected]. Conference Room 2/3 Workshop edu. AT OTHER BOSTON-AREA LOCATIONS Framingham Town Hall Public Hearing Room Tuesday, October 16 150 Concord Street, Framingham Central Artery Environmental 3:00 P.M. TRANSREPORT Oversight Committee: Talk Transit Thursday, November 1 Hale and Dorr Program for Mass Transportation, 6:00 P.M. PRODUCED BY THE CENTRAL TRANSPORTATION 60 State Street, 26th Floor, Boston MBTA: Boston Area Public PLANNING STAFF Workshop Editors Copyediting Thursday, October 18 Boston Public Library – Dudley Branch Mary Ellen Sullivan Leland N. Morrison Program for Mass Transportation, 6:00 P.M. 65 Warren Street, Boston Scott Hamwey MBTA: South Suburban Area Contributors Public Workshop Wednesday, November 7 Graphics Jonathan Church Quincy City Hall Program for Mass Transportation, 6:00 P.M. Kate Parker David Mohler 2nd Floor Conference Room MBTA: South Side Area Public Pam Wolfe 1305 Hancock Street, Quincy Workshop Federal Reserve Building PUBLISHED BY THE BOSTON METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION MBTA Open House/Discussion on 6:30 P.M. New England Room Fall River/New Bedford Commuter 600 Atlantic Avenue, Boston Kevin J. Sullivan, Chairman Rail Extension Luisa Paiewonsky, MPO Executive Secretary Stoughton Public Library 84 Park Street, Stoughton TRANSREPORT is available in accessible formats to people with disabilities. Contact the Central Meeting dates and times are subject to change: please call (617) 973-7119 for confirmation. Additional trans- Transportation Planning Staff Certification portation meetings open to the public are listed on the Boston MPO Web site, at www.ctps.org/bostonmpo/ Activities Group at (617) 973-7119 (voice), involved/meetings. (617) 973-7089 (TTY), (617) 973-8855 (fax) or [email protected] (e-mail).

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TRANSREPORT is published monthly by the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization to disseminate information on current transportation projects and issues within the Boston region. Comments and requests to be added or deleted from the mailing list are welcomed and should be sent either to TRANSREPORT Editor, CTPS, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA 02116, or to [email protected]. TRANSREPORT is free. The preparation of this newsletter is financed in part by grants from the Federal Highway Administra- tion and the Federal Transit Administration.