Bills address cut-through traffic, bus service, short- and long-term investments
With the legislative bill filing deadline on Friday the 18th, Senator Collins filed a slew of bills aimed at improving transportation in the city of Boston and in the region. The bills address multi-modal transit, pedestrian safety, impacts of new developments on public transportation, equity and access to rapid transit, creating long term revenues to make lasting improvements on the MBTA without raising fares, and simply getting people to work on time.
SD. 2181 would create a commission tasked with examining all modes of transportation on Day Blvd. including speed limits, sidewalks and pedestrian amenities, raised intersections, bus and public transit, signals, signage, traffic calming measures, multi-modal transit, and ride sharing and commercial uses.
“As we have
seen for years, Day Blvd. attracts cut through commuter traffic that is dangerous
for everyone involved,” said Senator
Nick Collins. “This bill is extremely important to continue bringing all
agencies and groups to the table in a sustainable way to make recommendations
that will improve safety and enjoyment of this DCR parkway.”
SD. 2191 would mandate the MBTA run
supplemental bus service from City Point to South Station with limited stops in
order to bypass the traffic on Summer Street between L and D streets. “Elected
officials and commuters have been crying out for more reliable transportation
to and from work,” said Senator Collins.
“This bill will require that the MBTA respond to that need, and ensure bus
service that is more rapid, more reliable, and therefore more accessible.”
SD. 2198 creates a task force to study the best use for MBTA properties in Boston in order to secure long term funding for improvements without raising fares. Senator Collins has been pushing the MBTA for years to examine the potential for land and air-rights leases, both protecting the incoming new fleet of red line cars from the elements, and leveraging state assets to generate long-term revenue without burdening the residents who rely on the system to get to work. The MBTA is one of the biggest land owners in the city of Boston.
Other bills filed by Senator Collins include opening the use of a particular ramp to Silver Line usage to reduce trip times to Logan Airport, legislation allowing the City to levy small fees on TNCs in order to fund transportation improvements, and bill to protect pedestrians and drivers by automating enforcement of some traffic violations, including blocking “the box” in the middle of intersections. All bills will have public hearings, and the public is encouraged to come testify with their perspectives.
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