North Shore Sustainability Fair, 9AM - 12PM, Lynn
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Staffing Changes at MassDOT
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The CEO and Secretary of MassDOT Richard Davey has resigned his post effective November 1st. Highway Administrator Frank DePaola will assume his role as Acting Secretary through the transition of a new administration. Assuming his post in September of 2011, Secretary Davey was the longest serving Transportation Secretary in Massachusetts since 1997. More... |
The Salem Commuter Rail station, platform and parking garage was partially opened for business on Friday, October 24th. According to MBTA Project Manager, George Doherty, "This partial opening allows parking in the garage and use of the new high-level Commuter Rail platform. Unfortunately,
the weather has posed challenges to completing the sidewalk paving. The drop off/pick up areas, buses and taxis will remain in their temporary locations until paving is completed," [anticipated by October 31st]. Continuing, Doherty noted, "The waiting area will be open and the glass wall enclosure will be installed in November."
More...
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Have you ever taken a chance to reflect on your commute? Bill Woolley, an active bicycle commuter and employee of the City of Salem, recently did just that. Better yet, he wrote about it.
"Since biking has always been such a daily matter-of-fact activity for me, sort of like brushing my teeth, the thought of taking a recreational ride had never appealed to me...I learned on my vacation, however, that the simple act of biking can be, well... fun." |
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Greetings from Andrea Leary, Executive Director
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 Greetings!
As the leaves crunch under our feet and pumpkin spice fills the air we breathe and the beverages we drink, we can't help but give a welcome nod to fall. At the North Shore TMA, we are welcoming the change in season with a chance to engage more with our members about our services and programs.
Over the next several months, we will be holding on-site meetings at our members' sites in an effort to educate more commuters about the incentive programs and customized transportation solutions we offer.
Our meetings will be listed on our calendar and social media feeds. If you would like to set up a meeting at your worksite, please contact our Outreach Manager, Al Marrone.
Happy Fall!
Andrea
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The Massachusetts Clean Air Challenge (formerly known as Car Free Week) took place September 22nd - 26th across the Commonwealth for employees and residents.
Statewide, 24,000 commuters logged trips using NuRide and collectively, they prevented 130 tons of carbon emissions from entering the air we breathe.
These green commuters saved over 12,000 gallons of gas and saved themselves over $38,000.
The North Shore TMA partnered with MassRIDES and MassCommute to promote the Clean Air Challenge. We had commuters from three companies (Eastern Bank, Cell Signaling Technologies and the City of Salem) log their commutes in NuRide.
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It's a Wrap! Commuting by Ferry from Salem and Lynn
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From late spring until early fall, commuters in Salem and Lynn had the option of commuting via water on ferries that went between downtown Salem and Boston's Long Wharf and between the Blossom Street Wharf in Lynn and the Central Wharf in Boston. The Lynn Ferry saw its first season end on September 26th as part of a two-year, summer-only pilot that was wildly popular. By the end of August, the ferry had shuttled over 11,000 commuters to/from work, far surpassing expectations. Read more. The Salem Ferry has been an option for commuters traveling between downtown Salem and Boston for a while. Its season will come to a close after Halloween, but it remains a popular way to get from the North Shore to Boston and back. Commuters have raved about the views along the way and the option to have an adult beverage on the open-air deck on the ship. More... |
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On the Ballot November 4th
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Election Day is rapidly approaching and before we know it, Tuesday, November 4th will be upon us. There is one critical transportation-related question on the ballot:
Question 1 - Eliminating Gas Tax Indexing
Summary: The proposed law would eliminate the requirement to link the gas tax to the rate of inflation or the consumer price index (CPI). As of September 2013, the tax was set at 24 cents per gallon. The current law also prevents the gas tax from being fully affected by deflation, as it would prevent it from dropping below 21.5 cents per gallon.
A "Yes" vote: Would repeal the existing law and require a vote from the Legislature before the gas tax can be adjusted based on the CPI.
A "No" vote: Would make no changes to the existing law and will allow for automatic indexing of the gas tax based on the CPI.
In addition to Question 1, voters will be asked to decide on 3 other important questions. Before you head to the polls, educate yourself about the four ballot initiatives.
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