Mayor Fuller advocates for commuter rail improvements

by | May 8, 2018 | Auburndale, MBTA, Newton, Newtonville, Washington Street Corridor, West Newton | 20 comments

Jenna Fisher of the Patch reports that Mayor Fuller spoke to the MBTA control board today to make the case for upgrades to provide accessible, frequent transportation at all three of Newton’s Commuter Rail stations. In addition to advocating for Newton residents who need better access to transit, she made it clear that improved service is key to the Washington Street corridor vision to support future development.

The article reports new cost estimates for

New Green Line trains coming to a T station near you

by | Mar 27, 2018 | MBTA, Newton

The first of 24 new Green Line cars has arrived in Massachusetts for testing and is expected to join the Green Line fleet this summer,  the Globe reports. The new trolleys, known as “Type 9,” differ slightly from existing Green Line cars: They can fit about 10 percent...
Should Newton consider bus only lanes and traffic lights?

Should Newton consider bus only lanes and traffic lights?

by | Dec 6, 2017 | MBTA, streets and sidewalks, traffic | 29 comments

Four communities have just received a grant to “test ideas like bus-only lanes and traffic signals that give buses priority at busy intersections,” the Globe reports today.

According to the foundation, Arlington will use the money for its one-month test to improve service on Massachusetts Avenue during the morning rush, which could include a bus-only lane. Cambridge and Watertown are planning to create all-day bus lanes on parts of Mount Auburn Street. And Everett, which already sacrificed a lane of parking for bus-only traffic in 2016, plans to make two stops on that route easier to access for wheelchairs and strollers.

 

All four communities also plan to test “transit signal prioritization” on these routes, technology that lengthens green lights and shortens red lights depending on how near or far a bus is from an intersection.

Is this an idea that should be tested in Newton and, if so, where would you suggest putting these bus only accommodations?