New Campaign for Safe Transit Now
We’ve recently launched a new campaign. Check out the website by clicking on the link below: SafeTransitNow.org
Concerned citizen asks, “Charlie, what’s your plan for the MBTA?”
The Daily News of Newburyport recently published a letter from Amesbury resident, Marianne Rutter, asking Governor Baker how he plans to address desperately needed improvements to the [...]
Boston’s “most versatile” snow-removal machine invented by MBTA machinist
Yesterday The Boston Globe published an article highlighting the MBTA’s impressive arsenal of snow-removal equipment, including a piece of innovative machinery invented by a MBTA machinist [...]
Transportation officials spend $100k on private bathroom
Recent reports from WCVB/Channel 5 and MassLive show that state officials spent over $100,000 of taxpayer money on a private bathroom for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The [...]
Claims of MBTA deficit “irresponsible, inequitable, and somewhat dishonest”
In a recent post for the Conservation Law Foundation, Rafael Mares responds to Governor Baker’s statement that a fare hike for T riders may be in order. Responding to Baker and MBTA claims [...]
Report finds MBTA plays essential role in Greater Boston’s economy
On February 8th the Boston Foundation hosted a panel discussion to unveil a new report entitled, “The Transportation Dividend: Transit Investments and the Massachusetts Economy.” The [...]
Study finds Boston transportation system lacks clear vision
The Boston Business Journal recently reported on a new study of the Greater Boston area’s transit system, which finds the system lacks a “broader vision.” The study, conducted [...]
Tentative agreement reached over MBTA bus maintenance
On January 19th the MBTA and machinists union, IAM Local 264, announced that they had reached a tentative bargaining agreement. The announcement follows months of protests by the union over the [...]
Tension between MBTA and Keolis during winter storm
On January 6th, The Boston Globe reported that T officials rebuked commuter rail contractor, Keolis over its failure to provide consistent service during last week’s winter storm. The storm [...]
Boston Globe: Contracted services are a persistent problem for the T
On Wednesday The Boston Globe reported on how the MBTA is dealing with ongoing issues with private contractors as the agency embarks on new projects including a $2.3 billion extension of the [...]
New emails show Keolis mishandled investigation
On December 26th the Boston Herald reported on new emails released by T officials regarding private contractor, Keolis’ mishandling of an investigation into a train car that broke free from [...]
Elected officials and community groups speak out against First Transit
On Monday lawmakers confronted members of the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board on their efforts to privatize the agency’s bus maintenance operations. Statehouse News [...]
MBTA to officially end contract with paratransit contractor
This week, reports emerged that the MBTA is officially ending their contract with its paratransit contractor, Global Contact Services (GCS). The private vendor, which won the $38.5 million [...]
Statement of ex-MBTA parking director sheds light on parking contractor’s shortcomings
Last week Commonwealth Magazine reported that the MBTA’s Director of Parking, David Friend, has stepped down from his position, effective December 1. Before submitting his resignation, Friend [...]
New Multimedia Campaign to target First Transit
On Sunday Boston University’s The Daily Free Press reported on a new multimedia campaign opposing privatization of the MBTA’s bus maintenance which will focus on the sole bidder for [...]
Sources say MBTA to end contract with Global Contract Services
Last week, Commonwealth Magazine reported that the MBTA is planning to find a way to end their contract with Global Contact Services — a private contractor hired to manage operations of the [...]
Mechanics union urges public to continue speaking out against privatization efforts
Last week, Boston University’s The Daily Free Press reported on IAM 264’s announcement that there has only been one bidder on the contract to privatize MBTA bus maintenance. The paper [...]
MBTA has received only one bidder on privatization contract: First Transit
Yesterday The Boston Globe reported on the MBTA mechanics’ union, IAM Local 264’s findings that the MBTA has only received one bid on its contract to privatize bus maintenance. [...]
Only one bidder on bus maintenance contract
Yesterday The Boston Herald reported on IAM Local 264’s findings that the MBTA has only received one bid to take over bus maintenance operations. Although T officials told The Herald that [...]
Baker’s bus maintenance privatization scheme craters as mechanics launch new ads blasting Governor for transit approach
Bus safety and maintenance RFP process fails, yields single controversial bidder: First Transit MBTA sources have indicated that only one vendor, First Transit, has submitted an official [...]
Federal data shows MBTA service worst in the country
Last week multiple sources reported on new federal data ranking the MBTA service the worst in the nation. Stories from NBC Boston, The Boston Herald, WCVB, highlighted the findings from The [...]
MBTA Contractors Accused of Stealing at Medford Warehouse
Last Friday, two contractors were arrested under accusations of stealing parts, including cables and copper wire, from a MBTA Medford warehouse. The contractors were employed by Mancon Inc., a [...]
Transportation Secretary Expresses Frustration with Keolis
Commonwealth Magazine reports that during an October 2nd meeting of the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board, Stephanie Pollack, Transportation Secretary, expressed frustration with [...]
Quality Assurance Issues with T Anger Members of FMCB
Issues surrounding quality assurance concerns with the T’s collision avoidance contract with the private contractor, Ansaldo STS, arose during the most recent meeting of the [...]
MBTA New Ticket App Service Failure During Morning Commute
Last week State House News Service reported that the MBTA’s new ticket app, from developer Masabi, went down during Monday’s morning commute, resulting in free rides for many T [...]
New Op-ed Urges “Don’t Give Away the MBTA, Governor Baker”
Robert Martinez, Jr., the International President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, recently wrote an op-ed for the HuffPost, calling on Governor Baker to stay [...]
New Bill Would Reinstate Pacheco Law
At a State House hearing on Monday, legislators introduced a bill that would reign in privatization across the state. The bill, which already has the support of two-dozen [...]
The Ride Contractor Struggles to Provide On-Time Service
Following up on a previous story, The Boston Globe reports that Global Contact Services, the private contractor that has taken over two-thirds of The Ride’s logistical operations, is still [...]
MBTA Spent Nearly $500k on Recruitment Last Year Alone
A recent article in Boston Magazine reports that MBTA officials spent approximately $500,000 on recruiting for 10 open positions with the agency over the last year. The article cites numbers [...]
Globe Readers Vote Against Privatizing Bus Maintenance
In response to recent questions posed in The Boston Globe’s “The Argument” column regarding privatization of the Arborway, Lynn, and Quincy MBTA garages, readers [...]
“Don’t Give Away the MBTA” campaign to raise awareness among community, taxpayers, riders and voters
In a recent story for Boston University’s The Daily Free Press, Breanne Kovatch reports on the launch of Machinists Union Local 264’s new public awareness campaign, [...]
WGBH: “By Outsourcing Bus Maintenance, The MBTA Puts Quality And Safety On The Line”
From WGBH’s Callie Crossley: Most of the time I ramble through the streets of Greater Boston in my nearly 20-year-old car. But in the winter, during the dreaded snow days, I head for [...]
Senator Keenan on investing in public transit
In a recent op-ed for Commonwealth Magazine, entitled “Baker taking T privatization too far,” State Senator John F. Keenan explains how years of deferred maintenance and failure to [...]
Over 30 TransDev Buses Decommisioned Due to Safety Violations
Following Monday’s launch of DontGiveAwayTheMBTA.org — a public awareness campaign taking aim at the performance records of for-profit companies, such as TransDev and MV Transportation, [...]
MBTA machinists and supporters rally outside transportation building
MBTA machinists and supporters rallied outside the Transportation Building this morning to announce the official launch of an advertising campaign against the privatization of bus maintenance at [...]
Arborway Press Conference
At an August 23rd press conference, MBTA mechanics and allies, including Congressman Michael Capuano, gathered at the Arborway Garage in Jamaica Plain to speak out against Governor Baker’s [...]
Vendors late night visit to MBTA garages
Recently, for-profit companies snuck into MBTA garages under the cloak of night between midnight and 3:00 A.M. to survey the properties they will be bidding for control of. Advocates and [...]
WBUR 90.9FM: Questions About Turnaround Of MBTA GM’s Former Texas Firm
WBUR’s Meghna Chakrabarti and Kathleen McNerney recently examined the turnaround record of newly appointed MBTA head, Luis Ramirez, in his previous position as CEO of Global Power Equipment [...]
Privately Contracted MBTA Ambassadors Fired Following Physical Confrontation with Disabled Rider
On August 11th the Boston Herald reported that two customer service ambassadors from the privately-held company, Block by Block, were fired after a physical confrontation with a disabled rider [...]
Protestors Gather at National Conference of State Legislatures annual meeting
On August 6th, MBTA mechanics, their families, and activists rallied outside of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center as federal officials and state legislators gathered for the National [...]
Visibility Action at the Cape Rotaries
As a part of the MBTA mechanic’s campaign against Governor Baker’s efforts to privatize MBTA services, workers, family members, and supporters gathered at a major rotary, as [...]
Baker bus privatization scheme under fire from Walsh, workers, veterans
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, made an unscheduled appearance at a rally comprised of MBTA mechanics and their families outside of a recent MBTA board meeting. The rally was held in response to [...]
Highlights of Lynn Garage Press Conference
On Monday, August 14th, U.S. Senator Edward Markey stood with the INVEST NOW coalition in support of MBTA mechanics and their families at a rally and press conference held at the Lynn MBTA bus [...]
U.S. SENATOR ED MARKEY TO STAND WITH MBTA MECHANICS IN EFFORT TO PROTECT RIDERS, WORKERS, TAXPAYERS FROM PRIVATIZATION SCHEME
LYNN, MA – U.S. Senator Edward Markey (D) will stand with the INVEST NOW coalition in support of MBTA mechanics and their families at a rally and press conference slated for Monday, August [...]
Former parking contractor settles after “skimming” millions
The MBTA has received $5.6 million in a settlement after the Attorney General’s office found that under private contractor “LAZ Parking” millions of dollars had been [...]
News flash: Retirees expect retirement benefits
Despite touting early retirement as a cost-savings measure, MBTA management failed to budget for those retirement costs according to the State House News Service. Former Acting General Manager, [...]
Contractor incorrectly placing blame on workers
Last week we shared a story from KJZZ reporting that the City of Phoenix has put First Transit, a private contractor responsible for 30 percent of the city’s bus services, on notice in [...]
Governor Baker reneges on promise not to privatize MBTA
Blue-collar MBTA mechanics and fuelers, who have offered nearly $30 million in savings through contract negotiations, respond to Governor Baker issuing “request for proposal” on bus maintenance [...]
Privatization and transparency at the T
In our June Newsletter, we shared some specific examples of MBTA privatization and outsourcing schemes hurting taxpayers, workers and riders. If you missed it, read on to learn more about [...]
Private contractor, First Transit, put on notice by Phoenix officials
KJZZ reports that First Transit, a private contractor responsible for operating approximately 30 percent of Phoenix’s public bus services, has been put on notice by the city for failing to [...]
Panel with Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism
On June 28th the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism hosted CONDEMBTA: A Conversation and Exhibit about Public Transportation Infrastructure and Priorities in Greater Boston. The event, [...]
Joe Kennedy lends support to T workers’ anti-privatization effort
Commonwealth Magazine reports: “MBTA UNION WORKERS rallied against privatization efforts Monday morning at a bus maintenance garage in Quincy, where US Rep. Joseph Kennedy spoke in support [...]
MBTA mechanics launch campaign in response to outsourcing threats
Friday, July 14, 2017 MBTA mechanics launch massive voter outreach and advertising campaign in response to outsourcing threats Ex-transit chief rejects more than $29 million in [...]
MBTA hires consultant with questionable record
In a June 28th article, The Boston Herald reported that the MBTA hired Karen Antion as a consultant to oversee the Positive Train Control project which aims to improve train safety. Antion, who [...]
Increase in complaints from passengers of The Ride
In a June 23rd article the Boston Globe reported that complaints from users of the MBTA’s door-to-door paratransit program, The Ride, have surged following an overhaul of the service [...]
Rally at State House to Defend Public Transit
On May 17th MBTA mechanics escalated their campaign to defend taxpayers, workers, and riders against the latest proposed MBTA privatization scheme by calling on legislators and the MBTA Fiscal [...]
Riders’ Voices: Regina Tham – Quincy, MA
Quincy resident Regina Tham speaks out against privatization and for transparency at the T. “As someone who uses the MBTA everyday, I believe that the privatization of the MBTA is a poor [...]
May 17th Rally at State House to Defend Public Transit
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Privatization schemes surrounding Washington D.C. Metro services
A recent article by Jeremy Mohler of In the Public Interest highlights privatization schemes surrounding the Washington D.C. Metro services. The Washington D.C. area Metro service is the only [...]
Community groups speak out against Shortsleeve transit board appointment
Local groups are joining together in opposition to Governor Baker’s proposed appointment of outgoing MBTA Chief Administrator and Acting General Manager Brian Shortsleeve to the MBTA Fiscal [...]
Change.org Petition to Keep the MBTA a Public Agency
A new Change.org petition urging Governor Baker to keep MBTA services publically operated has received 1,140 signatures. The petition highlights the negative impacts of privatizing public transit [...]
Frustrated Workers Gather to Speak Out Against Keolis
Frustrated with the Keolis Commuter Services partnership with the MBTA, commuter rail workers gathered at the State House on Thursday, May 11th to express their concerns with the private [...]
Letter to the Editor: “Privatization efforts tend to overpromise and underdeliver”
A recent letter to the editor in the Washington Post, entitled “Privatization efforts tend to overpromise and underdeliver,” responds to the April 29th story on Metro General Manager, [...]
MBTA sues former parking lot operator
Last Thursday the MBTA filed a lawsuit against LAZ Parking Ltd. LAZ Parking is a privately-held company that managed parking operations for the MBTA from 2013 until the termination of their [...]
Across the nation activists call for investment in public transit
In Washington D.C. grassroots activists are calling for an annual 1 billion dollar investment in the city’s Metro system. Similar to Boston’s residents, D.C. riders and workers have [...]
Despite MBTA’s absence, third meeting in Beverly proceeds
This week, the MBTA pulled out of their third public meeting in a row to discuss the summer shutdown of their Newburyport/Rockport commuter rail line. The line, which is operated by notoriously [...]
Possible MBTA bus contractor folds
Boston-based transportation startup Bridj has folded after a deal with a major car company fell through. The startup, which offered app-based bus rideshares, provided an allegedly unsolicited [...]
Commuter Rail Shortages to Continue Through Mid-May
According to an April 24th statement from officials, commuter rail coach shortages, which have been the cause of overcrowding on these lines since mid-March, will continue for a few more weeks. [...]
Transdev struggling to improve service internationally
Turns out private bus operator TransDev is struggling to improve public bus service not only in Wisconsin, but in Melbourne as well. A recent article in Melbourne’s The Age, reveals [...]
New Analysis Shows Flawed Pioneer Institute Study Misrepresented MBTA Maintenance Costs, Wages
Contrary to the conclusions of a report released last month by the pro-privatization Pioneer Institute, the MBTA paid workers about the same and spent less of their budget on worker salaries, [...]
OP-ED: Commuter Railroading
Craig Hughes, special representative for Local 264, which includes frontline MBTA bus maintenance and repair workers, addresses how schemes to outsource at the MBTA have repeatedly failed as the [...]
Statement on MBTA Privatization from Lee Matsueda of T Riders Union and Invest Now Coalition
In response to the announcement of a rally by MBTA mechanics on Monday and in anticipation of the FMCB’s discussion of FY18 budgeting, Lee Matsueda released the following statement on behalf of [...]
MBTA mechanics and allies rally to protect taxpayers, workers, riders from further transit privatization
A large crowd descended on MBTA headquarters in downtown Boston today as transit mechanics rallied with allies to defend taxpayers, workers, and riders against the latest MBTA privatization [...]
Transit Privatization: A Black Eye for Massachusetts, A Black Hole for Taxpayer Money
A new report from NBC Boston shows that the largest privatization project in the history of the MBTA continues to be a failure. Reporter Ally Donnelly outlines the continual service delays faced [...]