Under an agreement with the Conservation Law Foundation, Massport is obligated to increase the number of Logan passengers who arrive in some form of high-occupancy vehicle to 40 percent by 2027. The people-mover proposal is unrelated to that agreement, but CLF vice president Rafael Mares said if enacted, it could help Logan meet or even exceed that goal.
Apr 25
2018
2018
Feb 21
2018
2018
MBTA Raises the Specter of Fare Hikes (Again)
The MBTA is crying wolf… again, predicting a deficit of $111 million in its next fiscal budget. The potential solution? Raise fares on riders, again. Governor Baker seems to agree, stating on Valentine’s Day that the MBTA should be discussing a fare increase. I’m not sure that was the best way to spread the love, especially to…
Charging Up Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are good for the environment and the economy.
Building Healthy Neighborhoods
We’re building healthy communities, one neighborhood at a time.
Jan 23
2018
2018
Baker launches commission to study transportation needs
… Rafael Mares, a climate and transit advocate with the Conservation Law Foundation, celebrated the launch of the commission. But it will only be valuable if it “ends up in a blueprint, a vision and a plan for the Commonwealth that can actually be implemented,” including funding sources, he said. “Otherwise, we’re spinning our wheels,”…
Jan 9
2018
2018
Massachusetts Hits the Accelerator on Clean Transportation
Massachusetts has long been a leader in promoting clean, climate-friendly electric cars and trucks. And now, the Commonwealth is taking another leap forward in ending our reliance on gas- and diesel-powered vehicles. A recent order from the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities gives the green light to Eversource, the region’s largest energy company, to invest…
Dec 20
2017
2017
Bad Policy Could Crash the Achievements of Self-Driving Cars
There’s a consensus that self-driving cars are on the cusp of bringing about a transportation revolution that will address many environmental and societal challenges. However, it relies on a few critical assumptions about our future that are not guaranteed. The self-driving car industry paints a picture of blissful commutes, less pollution, and fewer accidents. But…
Nov 25
2017
2017
Green Line Extension Back on Track
CLF has been steadfast in our push for the Green Line extension (GLX), but making it a reality has been a rollercoaster ride with twists and turns that threatened to derail this critical public transportation project before it could get off the ground. However, last week, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) took a significant…
Nov 5
2017
2017
We’re Not Waiting for Trump’s Promised Infrastructure Investment
If there was one issue where candidate Donald Trump seemed to offer a promise that both sides of the aisle could get behind, it was his vow to spend $1 trillion on public works over the next decade. It would be an investment, he said, in repairing and upgrading the nation’s transportation systems. Unlike the…
Nov 1
2017
2017
Road Work Ahead? Proposed Expansions of the Maine Turnpike Should Proceed with Caution
Traffic in the greater Portland area is getting worse, so the Maine Turnpike Authority wants to add lanes and build a new highway connector. But is this really the best solution to the problem?