That's fair to say we don't know that she was "forced out." But she did suddenly quit after less than eight months on the job. I think she was the shortest serving Transportation Secretary ever. There was absolutely zero explanation at the time and no one has said anything since, as far as I know. She left in basically the most suspicious way possible. An article like should should be more careful, but it does seem like maybe she was forced out.
I wish i could remember which board meeting it was part of to verify and cite but in one of them Eng stated that the vast majority of all track construction is complete and as stated already in here the remaining works are signals and punch list items. The goal is for everything related to line functionality to be completed by the end of this year. Then for the first 3 months of 2024 there is required testing of the line at service speeds followed by an additional required 3 months of crew qualifications and mock service running to dial-in schedule timings for the Summer ‘24 CR schedule.
www.nbcboston.com
I think the strategy is likely an earmark for FY25, which is pretty quick and easy for the General Court, then a more deliberative process to develop a more sustainably predictable revenue stream.
I like the overall concept, but I'm bothered by the failure to include the north of Arborway OL headhouse. I realize it's just a massing study, very preliminary, etc., but how do they miss a piece of basic infrastructure that belongs to the same organization that is putting these parcels out for development?
It seems the MBTA has been on the fiscal cliff since the year 2000. I think the debt is a shell game and hopefully Tibbetts-Nutt has political savvy to wade these waters; otherwise she will be a sacrificial lamb next summer/fall.Coverage on the upcoming fiscal cliff facing the MBTA next June/July 2024 (7 months):
Quote from article (see below): "There are no easy answers to the T's "fiscal cliff," Tibbits-Nutt said Wednesday"..."Tibbits-Nutt said that "we want to bring in additional sources of revenue,""
Mass. transportation secretary outlines thinking to fix ‘crisis' congestion, other issues
In her first public appearance as transportation secretary, Monica Tibbits-Nutt laid out her vision Wednesday for a unified transportation system that helps address some of Massachusetts’ biggest problems, previewed a “hard, hard discussion” about more state money for the MBTA, and shared the...
www.bostonglobe.com
A gobsmacking figure indeed. But not surprising.
MBTA says it needs at least $24.5 billion to repair its troubled system - The Boston Globe
The T’s estimate only covers updating the current assets, not delivering long-promised upgrades like commuter rail electrification or climate resiliency improvements.
There are ~4.4 million people in MA between the age of 18 and 65, that would be $5,605.94 per person statewide. That includes western MA. This figure does not include MassDOT's backlog of state of good repair, and any other suburban wastelands across MA. Sprawl has essentially destroyed Greater Boston and the rest of MA.
Paywall bypass:A gobsmacking figure indeed. But not surprising.
MBTA says it needs at least $24.5 billion to repair its troubled system - The Boston Globe
The T’s estimate only covers updating the current assets, not delivering long-promised upgrades like commuter rail electrification or climate resiliency improvements.
www.reddit.com
Basically the T has let everything rot close to the point of no return. My emphasis below:Paywall bypass:
Reddit - Dive into anything
I'm surprised to see the cost to bring Commuter Rail to State of Good Repair so high, given that CR seems to be running normally. The article did mention that most of the cost will be for stations, but I haven't looked in detail yet. But I suppose it's better to identify and highlight potential problems now than to wait for the next South Attleboro or Lynn to happen.
