The Honorable William Straus, House Chair The Honorable Joseph Boncore, Senate Chair Joint Committee on Transportation State House, Room 134 Boston, MA 02133 via email Dear Chairmen Straus and Boncore, On behalf of MassINC’s Gateway Cities Innovation Institute, I strongly urge you to expedite a favorable report on H. 3526, “An Act Relative to
Andre Leroux offers testimony to Joint Committee on Transportation
On transportation revenue bills
The Honorable William Straus, House Chair The Honorable Joseph Boncore, Senate Chair Joint Committee on Transportation State House, Room 134 Boston, MA 02133 via email RE: Support for new transportation revenue—local revenue tools are especially important to enable Gateway Cities and surrounding communities to solve their regional transit challenges – H. 3426 (Ciccolo) An
Andre Leroux offers testimony to Joint Committee on Transportation
On RTA advancement bills
The pandemic has permanently changed the way many residents think about where they want to live and work. This offers an unprecedented opportunity for our Gateway Cities to reposition themselves as regional hubs, but this will only be possible if they become multimodal communities anchored by strong regional transit systems.
Advancing low-income fares beyond Boston
The Gateway Cities Journal
Since 2017, the FMCB has been pushing hard on the agency to provide discounts to low-income riders. In one of their final votes, they choose to instruct agency staff to prepare scenarios for a pilot program. On the one hand, this last-ditch effort makes sense. However, from the Gateway City perspective, the board’s actions are disappointing and a bit perplexing.
Gateway Cities can’t afford cuts to MBTA service
The Gateway Cities Journal
By the time we emerge from the pandemic and turn the economy back on, we will be winding down the transportation networks central to an equitable recovery. But an affordable, accessible, and reliable public transit is especially vital to Gateway City revitalization.
The Future of the Massachusetts Workplace
Decentralizing Massachusetts’ workforce could address the state’s transportation struggles and geographic inequities, magnified by the pandemic.
Diverse Voices Needed in Gateway City Leadership
Gateways Podcast Episode 59
Policies that the historically white-dominant Massachusetts Legislature have put in place aren't designed for Gateway City residents who on average take home less pay than those living in Boston's core.
Where equity gaps are deepest, we need more patience
The Gateway Cities Journal
In the most recent FMCB meeting, board chair Joe Aiello called out the one week fare decrease on the commuter rail from Lynn to North Station. The mitigation has had tremendous success during blue line construction. However, the MBTA has not committed to extending that fare decrease to encourage more ridership between Lynn and Boston. The
Actionable Ideas for Equitable Small Business Recovery
Gateways Podcast Episode 58
Small business owners across the state reacted in a variety of ways to Governor Charlie Baker’s reopening plan announced Monday. Many decried the incremental plan, saying it would put them out of business. Gateways Podcast · Episode 58: Ideas for Equitable Small Business Recovery All small business owners are no doubt hurting, but owners of
TTOD Planning & Design Competition Award Ceremony
Learn more about the nine teams that participated in the inaugural TTOD Planning and Design Competition!