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MBTA Community Engagement Newsletter
Issue 4 - May 2024
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MBTA Community Engagement Team and Community Engagement Collaborators surveying bus riders in Chelsea as part of the Better Bus Project, March 2024.
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Hello! We are excited to start the month of May and share updates with you.
As we’ve shared before, the MBTA Community Engagement team is eager to collaborate with you on many exciting projects and initiatives in the coming months. We are grateful for your continued support and eagerly anticipate further opportunities to connect and
collaborate with you and your organization. Learn more below about who we’ve collaborated with recently!
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Hiovanni Gonzalez, Community Liaison, and Terrie Chan, Senior Community Liaison, at the 2024 Inaugural Resource Fair hosted by Councilor Julia Mejia in West Roxbury.
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Women's History Month at the Museum of Science
The MBTA Community Engagement Team tabled at the Women’s History Month Events at the Museum of Science where we interacted with members of the public and enthusiastic youth to share information on the
Youth
Pass, Senior
Pass, the Track
Improvement Program, and upcoming
Green Line Accessibility and
Track Improvement Program meetings. Find more information on the Women’s History Month Celebration Weekend
here.
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Rachel Gies, External Engagement Coordinator, and Ashley Armand, Deputy Director of Community Engagement, at the March 2024 Women's History Month Celebration Weekend, Museum of Science, Boston.
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MBTA The Basics
Collaborating with the MassDOT Office of Diversity and Civil Rights, we developed "The Basics" guide experience, offering essential information on navigating MBTA services at various community organizations alongside this resource. This comprehensive resource
covers fares, accessibility, service alerts, and more, ensuring equitable access for all riders.
A regular Thursday Basics briefing has been established with the Melnea Cass overflow migrant shelter site to support newly arrived migrants and share information on how to navigate the bus and subway in Haitian Creole and Spanish.
If you’re interested in having the community engagement team join you at your organization to share more information on this resource, please contact us
here. Please
also visit this
link for more information regarding MBTA The Basics.
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Ashley Armand, Deputy Director of Community Engagement, and Erica Blonde, External Engagement Lead, at the Thursday Basics briefing at an overflow site in Boston.
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The Governor's Conference
The Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (MOTT) held the Governor’s Conference on Travel & Tourism on Tuesday, April 2, at the Hilton at Boston Logan Airport. The all-day conference featured remarks from the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, presentations,
breakout sessions, and networking opportunities. We tabled to share resources about MBTA services and engage with fellow transportation and tourism enthusiasts passionate about the Commonwealth of Massachusetts!
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Ashley Armand, Deputy Director of Community Engagement, and Terrie Chan, Senior Community Liaison, at the 2024 Massachusetts Governor's Conference on Travel & Tourism at Boston Logan Airport.
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Work Order Process Request Form
We encourage our riders to share feedback with us! To submit a work order request, please follow the prompts at this
link.
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Track Improvement Program
On January 29, 2024, the MBTA proudly announced the successful completion of critical track work on the Green Line, enhancing safety and reliability for riders. Station enhancements further elevate the customer experience, marking a significant milestone in
our ongoing commitment to service excellence.
MBTA Community Engagement is hosting station pop-ups throughout April to engage riders and gather feedback on the program. Learn more about the Track Improvement Program
here.
A station pop-up was held at Airport station on April 9, and an in-person
Open House meeting was
held at the Boston Public Library on April 11 to give riders the opportunity to learn about the program, ask questions, and share feedback. For more information, please email
publicen...@mbta.com or call
(857) 327-3282.
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Above are Track Improvement Program Open House and Station Pop-Up events held in April. The next open house is scheduled for May 14 at the Mattapan Public Library, and the next station pop-up events are scheduled for June 20 at Kenmore and June 24 at Davis
Square Station.
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Low Income Fare Program
On March 28, 2024, the MBTA Board of Directors unanimously approved the MBTA’s plan to implement a reduced fares program for riders with low-income. The new program will provide qualifying riders with reduced fares of approximately 50% off on all modes. Other
changes include replacing change tickets with CharlieCards on buses and the Green and Mattapan lines, and permanent $10 Holiday Weekend Passes. Applications will launch in summer 2024. Learn more about the Low Income Fare Program
here.
“Expanding low-income fares will help to ensure that our transportation system is more equitable and more affordable, which supports the mission to give everyone greater access to mobility options, especially community members depending on transit”, said MassDOT
Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) is no longer open, but we are considering adding new partner’s post-launch. We encourage folks to keep an eye out. If you want to be added to the link to become partners, let us know!
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The Reduced Fare CharlieCards, available on buses and the Green and Mattapan Lines.
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Green Line Accessibility Improvements
As part of MBTA Capital Programs & Engineering, Integrated Transit Programs is enhancing service and expediting renovations on the Green Line, spanning the B, C, D, and E lines over the next 10+ years. The initiative aims to enhance the reliability and quality
of service for riders and communities along the Green Line. Along with significant enhancements to stations and accessibility the program will also integrate a new fleet of modern vehicles and increase the ridership capacity. Learn more about this program
here,
and upcoming events.
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The Green Line C Branch, Spring 2023.
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Terrie Chan, Senior Community Liaison, at an in-person Open House meeting held on March 14 at Brookline High School.
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Bus Network Redesign - Design Dialogues
MBTA Community Engagement and the Bus Network Redesign Program are building a core network of frequent bus routes that operate every 15 minutes or better, all day, every day. To prepare for the upcoming service changes and enhance the bus stop experience for
riders, the MBTA is piloting new bus stop signs at key locations across Greater Boston from April 8 to May 3, 2024.
The purpose of the pilot is to prepare for the upcoming Bus Network Redesign service change and enhance the overall bus stop experience for riders. The Community Engagement team is gathering feedback and engaging with riders to inform better policies. The new
signs will have an increased size, are double-sided, have improved legibility, and include a new frequent bus route symbol.
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Hiovanni Gonzalez, Community Liaison, and Annie Arguello, Deputy Director of Communication for the Better Bus Project, at the MBTA’s bus stop sign pilot event at Harvard Station.
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We Want to Hear from You
What do you think about the proposed bus stop sign design? Let us know by filling out a short online survey below. We want to ensure our bus signage meets your needs. We will also have MBTA staff gathering feedback at pop-up events during the pilot period.
Learn more about the improved bus stop signs
here.
Take the Survey
To take the survey, select the language of your choice below:
Please fill out the survey by May 3, 2024.
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A Design Dialogue survey event at Forest Hills Station, April 2024
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Better Bus Project - Bus Rider Surveying in Chelsea and Revere
MBTA Community Engagement has been surveying bus riders in Chelsea and Revere in March and April to gather feedback on riders experiences. The interviews are conducted in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic. Surveyors meet at specific bus stops and wear
safety vests, so keep your eyes out for us! Find more information on the Better Bus Project
here.
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MBTA Community Engagement Team and Community Engagement Collaborators surveying Bus Riders in Chelsea as part of the Better Bus Project, April 2024.
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Have Your Voice Heard!
Join our surveys and focus groups to shape future initiatives and ensure inclusivity in our projects. Your input is invaluable in guiding our efforts to serve all MBTA riders.
Please complete this form to
tell us about yourself and how you use the MBTA, and we'll contact you to get your feedback for future changes to transit information.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We eagerly anticipate the opportunities and achievements that lie ahead in the year ahead.
Get MBTA Public Engagement updates, news and upcoming events delivered right to your inbox.
Sign
up for our newsletter.
Connect with us.
Phone: 617-222-3030
Email: publicen...@mbta.com
Share your feedback using our monthly rider survey:
https://www.mbta.com/customer-opinion-panel
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Email - publicen...@mbta.com
Mail - MBTA Attn: Community Engagement Team 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3830 Boston, MA 02116
To Invite the Community Engagement team to Community Meetings:
Email publicen...@mbta.com with your request, including: Date, Time, Meeting content and details, and we will coordinate with you accordingly
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