Proudly representing the City of Quincy and Towns of Abington, Braintree, Holbrook and Rockland |
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For schedule changes, service levels and general information related to COVID-19 and the MBTA, visit this page.
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Return to Full Service on Subway, Commuter Rail, and Buses |
A few months ago, the MBTA started returning subway, bus, and commuter rail services back to pre-pandemic levels, thanks in large part to an influx of federal funds through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan. You can get the most up-to-date information and links to important information on service levels for your commute by clicking here.
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Restructuring of MBTA Oversight Board |
A new administrative body will have oversight of the MBTA following the recent expiration of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board. Both the Senate and the House had recommended that the Board consist of seven members, with the Commonwealth’s Secretary of Transportation serving in an ex officio capacity.
The House and Senate also agreed that the remaining seats should consist of five individuals picked by the governor and one member appointed by the MBTA Advisory Board, including a T rider.
The bills differed in terms of the kinds of backgrounds governor-appointed members would need to have, as well as the number of board subcommittees. The Senate’s bill called for a greater number of subcommittees, which would cover not just safety, audit, and finance, as suggested by House members, but also a subcommittee on health and environment, and one for planning and workforce development.
The Senate’s proposal also requires the full board to meet more frequently, with a required 20 meetings a year instead of the 12 suggested by the House.
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Masks on Public Transportation
Until Further Notice
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All MBTA riders and employees are still required by federal and state law to wear face coverings. Per MBTA regulation, face masks must be worn on all MBTA vehicles, stations, facilities, outdoor bus stops, and outdoor platforms regardless of vaccination status.
More information can be found here.
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North Quincy Garage and Development Update |
Work on the North Quincy Parking Garage is ongoing as the project remains in the construction phase. In October, all parking at the former surface-level lot was rerouted to a 300-space lot on nearby Newport Avenue. While substantial progress has been made on the garage, it is not yet open for T commuters.
Alternative parking can also be found at the Wollaston, Mattapan, Braintree, and Quincy Adams station lots.
Upon completion, the garage will feature more than 850 parking spaces for MBTA riders, and complement a new, mixed-use development - The Abby- with 610 apartment units and 50,000 square feet of retail space. I attended the ribbon-cutting for the completion of the first phase of construction of this project on June 25.
More information can be found here.
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South Shore Garage Updates |
Work continues at the Quincy Adams and Braintree Red Line stations. Garages at both locations are open with limited availability as construction continues.
Both garages now have PayByPhone and pay-by-plate options available. The Braintree garage drop-off and pick up location has moved from the Messina satellite lot back to Level 2A. The Quincy Adams drop-off and pick up location will remain at Level 1B. The number of spots available may change as demand increases.
Follow @mbta_parking on Twitter for real-time availability reports weekday mornings.
More information can be found here.
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As the MBTA moves through the summer towards a return to full service, there may be occasional changes to service that impact your commute.
You can check here to see the latest summer service changes and how they may impact your commute.
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Status of New Red Line Cars |
The MBTA’s plan to update its fleet of Red Line cars celebrated a major milestone when the first new train went into service in December.
The $1 billion effort to put 252 new train cars into service by 2024 will bolster the Red Line’s fleet by 34 additional vehicles and feature new innovations. Design features of the new cars include more spacious interiors, wider doors, more handrails, LED lighting systems, as well as new visual and audio communications systems.
The MBTA is investigating an Orange Line derailment involving the new Orange Line cars, and as a precaution has taken new Red Line cars out of service pending the results of that investigation. Assembly of the new cars for both lines continues at the CRRC facility in Springfield.
More information can be found here.
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Blue Line/Red Line Connection |
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MBTA officials announced in June that a proposed linkage between the Red and Blue Lines could cost as much as $850 million and take more than a decade to complete.
According to a presentation by the MBTA, the connection would require the construction of a 2,000-foot tunnel beneath Cambridge Street linking the Blue Line's Bowdoin Station with the Red Line's Charles/MGH Station. This connection would improve access for Red Line riders to Logan Airport and would give North Shore riders a direct link to the Red Line.
More information can be found here.
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Route 18 Delays/Bridge Movement |
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Abington-area commuters may need to adjust their travel routes in response to the upcoming bridge-work associated with the Route 18 widening project. Work on a new bridge that will span nearby commuter rail tracks will result in road closures on Route 18 and some shuttle service on the Kingston Plymouth Lines from July 16-19 and again from July 22-26.
More information can be found here.
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A Summer Red Line Alternative |
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In cooperation with the Town of Winthrop, the ferry from Quincy to Boston and Winthrop is operating again this summer from the pier at Squantum Point Park, adjacent to Marina Bay. Visit the Marina Bay Ferry website for schedules and to purchase tickets.
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If you have any questions about specific T projects, you can contact the MBTA:
And as always, you can contact me by email at [email protected] or by calling (617) 722-1494.
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As the Commonwealth and its agencies plan for the post-pandemic era, I will continue to follow any further developments related to the MBTA and will keep you updated with important announcements.
Thank you again for staying involved and active. Working together, we will keep Massachusetts moving forward.
I hope you and your families enjoy the rest of the summer, hopefully with some sunshine!
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Office of State Senator John F. Keenan
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 413F
Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-1494 | Website
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