Transportation

MBTA to Talk About Fare Proposals, Buses at Watertown Meeting

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The MBTA will discuss proposed fare increases and the Better Bus Project at a meeting in Watertown. The following information came from the MBTA:

A series of community meetings are being held to discuss the MBTA fare proposal. A 6.3% average fare increase has been proposed, which would take effect on July 1, 2019. Comments regarding the fare proposal can also be emailed to fares@mbta.com or mailed to MBTA, Attn: Fare Proposal, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116. The Better Bus Project and Automated Fare Collection 2.0 will also be discussed at a number of these meetings.

Transportation

MBTA Announces Extra Subway Service for Snow Storm

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The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is advising the public that weather forecasters are expecting a winter storm to impact travel across the Commonwealth throughout Tuesday, February 12. Snow is expected to begin falling during the Tuesday morning hours in Western Massachusetts and the storm will move eastward during the day, with snowfall rates at some times of one inch per hour, and with snow changing over to sleet in most regions. Members of the public are advised to minimize travel, use public transportation if possible, consider working from home if that is an option, or consider leaving work early on Tuesday. Driving conditions will become hazardous in Western Massachusetts around 10 a.m., Central Massachusetts around 1 p.m., and in the Boston area and Eastern Massachusetts around 3 p.m.

“We are asking people throughout the Commonwealth to make smart, safe decisions on Tuesday such as taking advantage of public transportation, working from home if possible and leaving early for their afternoon commute,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Stephanie Pollack. “Everyone should check a weather forecast and travel conditions before heading out to avoid hazardous driving conditions, as there will be varying types of precipitation in all regions of Massachusetts, including snow, sleet, and freezing rain throughout the daytime and evening hours. The MBTA will be running subway lines in the Boston area at increased capacity starting at noon and all motorists should consider leaving early for their commute home and allowing plenty of extra time to travel.”

“MassDOT is currently conducting preparation activities for the deployment of snow and ice crews in advance of Tuesday’s winter weather,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.

Transportation

Input Sought at Meeting on Improving the T’s 70/70A Buses

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MBTA bus. The Watertown Transportation Task Force sent out the following information:

If you support improving this bus line, make your voice heard at the MBTA’s community meeting Tuesday, February 12, 6-8 pm, at the Watertown Free Public Library. The MBTA’s Better Bus Project has recently completed proposals for improvements in bus services.  Most important for Watertown riders is a long-awaited change in 70/70A service that should make the bus come on time and more often to those of us who ride it. Specifically they are proposing to de-couple the 70 from the 70A and increase the frequency of service down Main Street, Arsenal Street and all the way on to Cambridge.  The new route 70A would operate only between North Waltham and Waltham Center. Route 70 would run a little more often and with a more consistent schedule that will finally allow people to plan their commutes with confidence.

Around Town

Patriots Parade: MBTA Announces Service for Super Bowl Festivities

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The following information was provided by the MTBA:

On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join regular weekday commuters as the City of Boston celebrates another Patriots’ championship. Parade-goers travelling on the MBTA are encouraged to visit mbta.com/patriots for full information on service, service adjustments, and purchasing fares. All customers are strongly urged to purchase roundtrip fare in advance. Parking availability can be checked at some of the busiest MBTA stations on Twitter @MBTA_Parking. Daily parking rates are $2 – $15 with cash, credit, or mobile phone.

Around Town

What Parking Technologies, Improvements Do You Want in Watertown? Let the Town Know

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If you have you been frustrated by not being able to find parking in Watertown Square or Coolidge Square, found a broken meter, or not been able to find the hours when you have to pay to park — well, Town officials want to hear from you. Watertown officials recently hosted a pair of open houses to talk to residents and people who work in Town about the parking situation in Watertown’s two main business districts. There are many parking spaces in these areas, with more than 1,500 in Watertown Square and nearly 1,400 in Coolidge Square. The majority are off-street spaces. Town officials do not just want to replace the aging parking meters, but to come up with a parking plan.

Letters

OP-ED: Citizen Group Critical of Slow Roll Out of Watertown Shuttle

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The following piece came from the Watertown Transportation Task Force:

The Watertown Transportation Task Force (WTTF) today released a report on the status of proposed shuttle buses for Pleasant Street and Arsenal Street, titled, “Shuttle Buses for Arsenal and Pleasant Streets: What’s Happened, What Hasn’t, Why?” The report is critical of the lack of progress made to date and recommends changes the Town should make going forward. The Task Force report describes the efforts to get shuttle buses running along Pleasant Street to Watertown Square and along Arsenal Street to a mass transit station. It recommends that the Town should fully enforce special permit conditions which require “proportionate financial participation” by developers to fund effective TMA shuttle operations. The WTTF has strongly advocated for shuttle service, but the report also proposes that Town funds should not go to any shuttle program until (1) a realistic multi-year financial analysis forecasts the budget for shuttle operations on each corridor and estimates any budget shortfall due to inadequate private funding, and (2) strong pre-conditions are set for all Town contributions to a shuttle program. The concept for the shuttles was that a Watertown Transportation Management Association (known as a TMA) would be created to implement transportation demand management programs for large new developments along these corridors which would include shuttle busses.

Bicycles

MassDOT Seeks Input on Mass. Bicycle Transportation Plan

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The following information was provided sent out by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) urges members of the public to comment on the Draft Massachusetts Bicycle Transportation Plan through January 31. The draft plan can be found online here. MassDOT is focused on making the Commonwealth’s transportation system more sustainable – to make it safe for people to choose to walk, bike, and take transit for more of their daily trips. The Plan is important because residents, members of the business community and visitors choose to use a bicycle for daily trips, choosing bike to work, to school, to run errands, for recreation or to reach transit locations. The Draft Plan defines a vision for Massachusetts in which all people have a safe and comfortable cycling option for short trips. The goal is to have a plan which presents an action-oriented strategy which will lead to increased use of trails for short trips made by bicycling. Travel on designated bike and pedestrian thoroughfares will also lead to safer conditions, helping to prevent injuries and fatalities.

Coolidge Square

Give Your Opinion About Parking in Watertown’s Business Districts

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Town officials seek input about what changes should be made to parking in the Watertown Square and Coolidge Square areas. Residents, workers and others can share their thoughts in an online survey, or attend two upcoming open houses about the two areas. The Town of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Watertown has begun a Parking Management Plan for Watertown Square and Coolidge Square. The goal is to support Watertown’s retail centers and make them more user friendly and welcoming. The Plan will describe current parking needs, supply, and usage.