Issue #156 - March 2021

StreetLife

MBTA Receives Over $850M in Federal Relief Funding After Months of Advocacy

After President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into effect last week, transit agencies across the country were set to receive over $30 billion in relief funding. The MBTA is set to receive around $850M; in addition to the funds from the two other Federal relief bills passed in 2020, the MBTA has received over $1.978+ billion. This is an exciting win for the Transit Is Essential Coalition after months of working with local and federal partners to push the message that transit agencies are an essential part of COVID-19 recovery. Learn about our advocacy and the organizations that make up the Coalition here.

A huge thank you to the MA Congressional Delegation who were strong advocates on the MBTA's behalf. Make sure to thank your federal legislators who made this funding a reality!

Future of MBTA Service Cuts Unclear

On March 14th, the MBTA moved forward with their scheduled service cuts, cutting 20% of service on the Orange and Green Lines, 5% service on the Blue Line, and reducing service on some bus routes and commuter rail lines. The Transit Is Essential Coalition, which has been speaking up against these service cuts for several months now, has called on the MBTA to use the federal relief funding they received to immediately reverse service cuts.

Thanks to the advocacy of our MA Congressional Delegation, the Transit Is Essential Coalition, and many others, the MBTA is now planning to fully fund bus and subway service in July 2021. This is an exciting first step towards fully restoring MBTA service. Read more here.

LivableStreets Co-Chairing Mayor Janey's Transitional Transportation + Climate Justice Committee

Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock via Curbed

Earlier this week, Kim Janey was sworn in as Mayor of Boston after former Mayor Marty Walsh was confirmed as the US Labor Secretary. Through this transitional period, Mayor Janey has convened a group of organizations and stakeholders to ensure a smooth and equitable mayoral transition. We are thrilled that LivableStreets was invited to participate -- Executive Director Stacy Thompson is co-chairing the Transportation and Climate Justice committee alongside Reverend Mariama Hammond, a pastor at New Roots AME Church and the Faith Fellow at Green Justice Coalition.

Read more on the transition sub-committees here.

Staff Testified at Boston City Council Hearing on Snow Clearance

Although we officially welcomed in the spring with the equinox just last weekend, we all know that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of snow. Last week, Kristiana Lachiusa, our Director of Transit + Outreach, presented at a Boston City Council Hearing about snow clearance and potential opportunities to improve the process. When it snows in Boston, the roads get plowed, but for sidewalks, bus stops, and bike lanes, it’s a bit more complicated than that. Snow clearance and removal is an issue of access and equity. We are excited to encourage Boston to improve their process, so they can better support members of our communities being able to get to where they need to go, comfortably and safely, year round.

Many LivableStreets' Priority Bills Filed This Session

After a busy start to this year’s legislative session in January and February, the dust has finally settled (for now). So where does transportation policy stand now? As the previous session closed out in January, Governor Baker signed the Transportation Bond Bill (H.5248, An Act authorizing and accelerating transportation investment) into law, after vetoing some sections of the bill.

Many pieces of transportation, mobility, safety, and equity legislation were filed last month, including bills regarding free buses, drivers licenses for all, and transportation revenue. Check out our website for a full list of our policy priorities this session:

Thank you to everyone who reached out to their legislators to advocate for LivableStreets' policy priorities, and stay tuned for updates as these bills move forward.

Opportunities

Boston Harbor Now - Community Engagement Specialist: Boston Harbor Now is hiring a Community Engagement specialist to build and strengthen relationships with the neighborhoods of greater Boston and non-profit organizations in the Boston area. Learn more and apply here.
City of Cambridge - 2 Street Design Project Managers: The City of Cambridge is hiring to fill two openings for a Street Design Project Manager role. These positions will oversee project management and design of quick-build bike lane projects. Learn more and apply here.
MAPC - Regional Housing + Land Use: Planner II or Senior Planner: MAPC is seeking candidates for the position Planner II or Senior Planner in Regional Housing + Land Use to join the agency’s Housing Working Group within the Land Use Department. They are open to full-time or part-time candidates. Learn more and apply here.
Toole Design Group - Multiple Positions: Toole is hiring for multiple positions in their Northeast office:
- Director of Planning - learn more and apply here.
- Civil Engineer - learn more and apply here.
Union of Concerned Scientists - Multiple Positions: The Union of Concerned Scientists is looking for a campaign manager, an organizer, and a policy analyst/advocate to join their Clean Transportation team, and two campaigners to join their energy campaign; more jobs will be added in the coming weeks. Learn more and apply here.
Charles River Conservancy - Project Manager: This position will step in to manage several of the exciting initiatives the Charles River Conservancy has underway, and also help shape future programming in the parks along the Charles River - a great opportunity for those interested in the intersection of environmentalism, design and community engagement. Learn more and apply here.
MassDOT - Social Media and Communications Manager: This role will interact with internal and external stakeholders to gather and write public-facing documents, publicize meetings and initiatives, and manage social media accounts. Learn more and apply here.

Thank you!

Check out the following resources to learn more about what we've been up to lately!

Press: Read local and national press featuring LivableStreets and our work.
StreetFilms: Watch videos highlighting our advocacy and events.
Greenway Stories: Join us as we explore greenway successes and challenges around the Boston area.

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