Letters

LETTER: Good Transportation News From Sen. Brownsberger, Rep. Hecht

By |

With the arrival of cooler weather, thoughts are turning to the coming winter and avoiding a repetition of last year’s transportation woes, especially on the MBTA. The Baker Administration and the legislature did a lot of work on that issue this spring and summer and overall the results were good – a strong MBTA budget (with substantial investments in storm readiness) and new authority and tools for the Governor to make good on his pledge to fix the T.

But as important as it is to fix what we already have, meeting the transportation needs of our area will require much more. Rapid development, changing demographics, and climate change mean we need to think creatively about improvements that will make our transportation system a truly positive factor for our economy and communities. Last week saw important progress in that direction for two of Watertown’s key transportation corridors. First, the state put out to bid a study for the Mount Auburn Street/Fresh Pond Parkway area.

Government

Town Council Wants a Shuttle System to Serve Businesses and Public

By |

The Town will hire an organization that has experience creating and running local public transportation systems to create a Transportation Management Association for Watertown. 

Watertown will hire the 128 Business Council to help get the local public transportation system off the ground and likely lend a hand running it. The system of shuttles will have a number of routes and destinations in and around Watertown and will be funded by both businesses in town and likely the town itself. Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon who unveiled the plan Wednesday said he envisions the TMA having routes connecting Watertown Square to Waltham Center, running down both Pleasant and Arsenal streets, connecting to MBTA service in Cambridge and to the new commuter rail station in Brighton near the New Balance headquarters. More routes could be added as interest rises and more businesses contribute to the TMA. Several businesses have pledged to be part of the TMA as part of recently approved projects, Magoon said. Other existing businesses have said they are interested in taking part in the group.

Transportation

The MBTA May Be Privatizing Some Watertown Bus Routes

By |

MBTA officials have proposed to privatize some of the T’s express buses and the less-used suburban bus routes – including several in Watertown. The proposal calls for privatizing 32 routes, and removing 93 buses and their drivers, according to a report by the State House News Service run by WBUR. The routes on the privatization list fall into three categories – low ridership, express and late-night service. The routes in Watertown that would be impacted, and category are:

52 (Watertown to Dedham) – low ridership
7oA (Waltham to Cambridge) – low ridership
502 (Watertown to Copley Square) – express bus
504 (Watertown to Downtown Boston) – express bus
57 (Watertown to Kenmore Square) – late night service

Joe Levendusky, chairman of the Watertown Public Transit Task Force said he worries about the loss of quality and of middle class jobs if the MBTA privatizes the routes, in a story in on Wicked Local Watertown (click here to read more). The bus routes with fewer passengers have a net subsidy of $3.51 per ride and the routes cost $8.9 million annually while they bring in only $1.9 million in revenue annually, according to the MBTA.

Government

Help the MBTA Set its Service Priorities by Taking an Online Survey

By |

The MBTA is looking for input from residents to set priorities for its service, and you can participate by filling out the online survey. MBTA service for Watertown residents, primarily the buses, have been much criticized – particularly this past winter. Services include the bus routes along the town’s main corridors – the 70, 71 and 73 buses – and buses to Boston from the Watertown Yard (including the 57 and the express buses). Efforts have been started by citizens groups, such as the Watertown Public Transit Task Force, to push for better bus service in town. Then-MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott came to Watertown to listen to resident’s concerns, but she left the T after the service issues over the winter.

Government

Are Shuttles Part of Watertown’s Transportation Future?

By |

With the MBTA service in Watertown not meeting residents’ and workers’ needs, and a growth boom underway people are looking for ways to improve transportation in town. 

One option often brought up is a local transportation management association (TMA), which could run shuttles and provide other transportation assistance. A forum about TMAs  held at the Watertown Free Public Library drew around 100 people. The event an initiative of the Watertown Public Transit Task Force which co-sponsored the event along with the Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce. In recent years large developments have been built on and near Pleasant Street, and more recently along Arsenal Street. To deal with the new homes and businesses, the town has explored creating a TMA to provide transit along these two corridors, said Assistant Town Manager and Director of Community Development and Planning Steve Magoon.

Government

Forum Will Explore Ways to Improve Transportation in Watertown

By |

Join fellow residents, business owners, developers and civic officials to hear and question a panel of experts on the operations of Transit Management Associations (TMAs)

and learn about the opportunities and challenges for creating Watertown shuttle bus services to supplement the MBTA, according to the announcement from the Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce. The meeting will be held on June 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library. Speakers include experienced TMA operators from Charles River TMA, the 128 Business Council TMA, MassCommutes, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. An initiative of the Watertown Public Transit Task Force, co-sponsored by the Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce. For more information go to facebook.com/WPTTF or contact Jon Bockian at jbockian@rcn.com or Megan O’Halloran at megan@wbcc.org.

Government

See Details of Plans to Redesign Mt. Auburn, Common Streets

By |

Watertown officials joined transportation engineers Thursday night to present concepts for two major roadway projects that aim to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The public forum, held during a meeting of the Town Council’s Public Works Committee, provided an update on the Mt. Auburn Street reconstruction project as well as early designs for the Common Street improvement project. Residents were given the opportunity to weigh in on goals of the projects and provide feedback on design concepts. “We are very early in the process of these projects and this is the first of many community meetings we will have,” said Councilor Cecilia Lenk, who chairs the Public Works Committee.

Government

Council Asks for Transportation Improvements from Group Studying MTBA

By |

With changes at the MBTA, and this winter’s transportation woes, the Watertown Town Council will send a letter to the committee set up by Gov. Charlie Baker to examine the MBTA. Last year, Watertown invited MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott to town and showed her the town’s transportation challenges and areas of heavy development that will need transit. The town council followed up with a letter to make sure Watertown’s needs are still in the minds of MBTA officials. The MBTA has shared its ideas for improving the 70 bus route along Main and Arsenal streets, but improvements are also sought for the 71 and 73 routes to Harvard Square. Scott, however, resigned after the challenges the MBTA had during the heavy snows this winter.