Newsletter

Volume 1, Issue 10

December 2024

Welcome to the monthly newsletter of the MBTA Advisory Board. This newsletter is designed to keep the members, designees, and other interested parties of the MBTA Advisory Board up to date on news and coming events.

This Month at the Advisory Board

Beyond the Core

On Dec. 9, the Town of Lexington and TransitMatters hosted Beyond the Core, a public event discussing transportation in suburban communities. Brian Kane joined leaders from the MBTA and TransitMatters to speak. Watch a recording of the forum here. Thank you to Advisory Board member Susan Barrett for organizing this event!

The People's Caravan

On Dec. 12, Executive Director Brian Kane presented about MBTA funding at Uncovering the Cost: Current Funding Structures, Module 2 of The People's Caravan hosted by Transportation for MA. Resources from the Module can be found here. Click here for the recording, Brian's presentation begins at 23:44.

2024 at the MBTA Advisory Board

-> 50+ new members

The Advisory Board welcomed over 50 ex officio and designee members this year!

-> 34 committee meetings

The Advisory Board's nine committees met 34 times this year. As our 2025 committees are put together, please reach out to Executive Director Brian Kane if you are interested in joining or learning about a committee.

-> 4 reports

Advisory Board Committees and Staff produced 4 reports this year, covering operating and capital oversight, fare and service changes, and the authority's funding history.

-> 33 municipal visits & 16 State House meetings

Advisory Board staff hit the road this year, visiting 33 cities and towns and 16 offices on Beacon Hill. We are looking forward to visiting many more in 2025, please e-mail Deputy Director Hanna Switlekowski to schedule a visit!

Thank you for all of your hard work in 2024!

Advisory Board In the News

THE LEXINGTON OBSERVER: "Residents demand more from broke MBTA during public transit forum in Lexington" (12/12/24)

By Maggie Scales - “…Susan Barrett, Lexington’s transportation manager, said the town hosted this event because it has steadily lost a lot of public transportation over the past 50 years. And like many other Greater Boston municipalities, Lexington is eager to see a solution to the MBTA’s funding crisis.

'The MBTA is going broke,' Brian Kane, executive director of the MBTA’s advisory board, an independent group that represents Massachusetts cities and towns that help fund the T, said.…”

Calendar

Recent Meetings

12/2/24: Budget & Audit Committee Meeting: the Committee reviewed the Board's 2024 financial reports.
12/10/24: Full Board Meeting: MBTA Board of Directors Chair McGee joined to provide an update to the board. View recording.
12/11/24: Ferry Committee: Director of Ferry Operations David Perry joined for an update. View recording.
12/16/24: Diversions Update

Upcoming Meetings

1/9/25: Commuter Rail Committee
2/5/25: Full Board

Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year from the Advisory Board!

Thank you for a wonderful 2024,

Brian Kane

MBTA Advisory Board

https://mbtaadvisoryboard.gov

617-680-9144

The MBTA Advisory Board represents the 178 cities and towns and their riders in the MBTA service area. Under statute, the board has the authority to review and comment on the MBTA’s annual budget, capital plan and other aspects of operations. For more information, visit mbtaadvisoryboard.org.

MBTA Advisory Board | Website

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