On March 28, the public was invited to a discussion regarding the future of infrastructure and transportation at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate on Columbia Point.
The talk featured several official guests, all of which are involved in the transportation or infrastructure sectors in Boston.
MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation Stephanie Pollack, President and CEO of nonprofit organization “A Better City” Richard A. Dimino, and state Senator Thomas M. McGee (D) were among the panelists.
The discussion was moderated by Jim Braude, co-host of Boston Public Radio on 89.7 FM.
Before the discussion started, Dr. Jean F. MacCormack, interim president of the EMK Institute, emphasized that events like these serve as a platform to cooperate with citizens and discuss issues “with some of the most important leaders” of Boston.
In regards to the topic of public transportation in Massachusetts, MacCormack said that the invited panelists are “responsible for the things we love to hate when they don’t go well.” She also added that they, and other officials, often do not get appreciated when things do go well.
Braude added that the panel will address the recent criticism many citizens have expressed in the face of recent cuts of MBTA service. Also discussed was the crumbling infrastructure of the state.
The panel also included direct questions previously submitted by citizens.
The most reoccurring topic that was discussed throughout the panel was the recent MBTA budget and whether they will be worth it in the future. The drop of the late-night service was also mentioned several times and elaborated on by the panelists.
Pollack defended the decision made by the MBTA board by saying the late-night service is not an option at this time due to a restricted budget and necessary overnight maintenance.
Furthermore, she explained that the service was not as efficient, cost-effective, or popular as people had hoped when it was introduced in 2014.
Senator McGee criticized the decision, stating that the late-night service was “something we need to find a way to make happen” in order to strengthen the economy, create access to jobs, and more opportunities for social life.
DePaola agreed, saying that hopes of late-night service can be substituted by the private sector. He also mentioned that the Senate and House have been given opportunities to develop those strategies.
However, as no official plans are currently underway, Boston does not have an official alternative for late-night transit.
“I would have liked to see the transition to be smoother, meaning when we end the public service, let’s come up with a new model,” said DePaola.
Pollack, too, has concerns about the negative impact, saying, “I worry about communities where the last bus runs at 6 p.m. For me, the future of transportation is a conversation about priorities.”
The whole discussion can be accessed for free on the official EMKI website at emkinstitute.org.