The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

In 2023, LivableStreets will be working on projects across a few of our program areas, covering Transit + Streets, the Emerald Network, and Policy. This means that the Outreach program will be pretty busy! Whether or not you have volunteered for LivableStreets before as a Street Ambassador, we would love your support in the months to come.

If you are interested please take some time to fill out this interest form. If you have any questions, reach out to Makayla at [email protected].

The Governor’s Budget: Low-Income Fare and more…

Earlier this month, Governor Healey’s administration released their budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year. There was much of interest in the budget, including how the funds created by the new Fair Share Amendment would be allocated. Included in the funding allocated for transportation was $5 million dollars for the MBTA to begin implementing a low-income fare program. Though we’re disappointed that the future funding for this program is still up in the air, we’re thrilled that the groundwork for this program will be funded. Check out this StreetsblogMASS article by Christian MilNeil to learn more about the governor's budget proposal.

Although the budget does a good job allocating Fair Share funds, the Governor’s parallel tax reform proposal proposes regressive tax cuts that would predominantly benefit the wealthy in Massachusetts. Read more from our partners at MassBudget on this issue.

ICYMI: Free Buses In the News

For us, fare free buses are always a hot topic. But recently they’ve been a hot topic in the news as well! This came after the City of Boston released a study on the impacts of their free bus pilots, showing that more people are riding the bus as well as saving money on transit costs. Check out the report here.

Here are a few of the recent mentions of fare free bus service in Massachusetts.

• "Riders on fare-free MBTA buses report saving money, easier commutes" - GBH News article
• "Ridership on fare-free MBTA buses more than doubled in program's first year" - GBH News article + audio
• "Study says more people are saving money, riding the bus after one year of Boston’s fare-free program" - Boston Globe article

Keeping Chelsea Cool

While March often has one envisioning warmer days, sweltering heat is rarely part of the daydream. The City of Chelsea is aiming to combat the effects of urban heat island through their Cool Block project. In this video, Chelsea demonstrates how it mobilized community groups, city staff, landscape architects, engineers, and private funders to add trees, colored pavement, bioswales, and temporary park furniture to one of the city’s hottest blocks. View the project one-pager or visit Turnaround Films to learn about creative climate adaptations!

Another way to cool neighborhoods? Greenways! Join us in our advocacy to build greenways throughout the Boston region through the Emerald Network.

Help Send Bikes to El Salvador

Photo: Bikes Not Bombs

On Thursday March 30th to Saturday April 2nd, our friends at Bikes Not Bombs will be preparing a shipping container of bicycles and parts to send to El Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology (CESTA) in El Salvador. Shifts are roughly three hours each, from 9 am to 6 pm.

Sign up to volunteer at BNB’s Dorchester location at 10 Harvard Street!

We'll Miss You, Jason

Our Deputy Director Jason Desrosier has stepped away as of mid-March, and he is already greatly missed on the team. Executive Director Stacy Thompson has taken over managing the Great Neighborhoods Network. Any inquiries for Jason may be sent to Stacy instead at [email protected].

Opportunities

• Executive Director, Mass Climate Action Network: The Executive Director will facilitate leadership and engaged interaction across the MCAN network as well as help to inform and mobilize its chapters and larger community of allies in support of statewide policies. Learn more and apply here.
• Director of Resource Development, Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation: With a focus on expanding the donor pipeline, the DRD will create and implement fundraising plans and strategies, and establish an ongoing major gifts program for corporate and individual donors to sustain and support DBEDC’s future growth. Learn more and apply here.
• Executive Director, Boston Cyclists Union: The BCU seeks an Executive Director (ED) who is collaborative, results-oriented, forward-thinking and dedicated to our mission. You do not need to be a bicycle rider, but you must share our core values of people power, dignifying each person, mobility justice, joy and freedom, and sustainability. Watch a video to learn more here.
• Executive Director, Transportation for Massachusetts: T4MA seeks an innovative leader who embodies the organization's values, is excited about guiding the organization's current transformation, and can inspire collaboration. Learn more and apply here.
• Multiple Positions, Metropolitan Area Planning Council:
  • Assistant Director of Transportation
  • Regional Housing and Land Use Planner
  • Senior Environmental Planner
  • and more!

As a policy, LivableStreets will only advertise opportunities that include salary or compensation information.

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.

Was this email forwarded to you? Here's where you can sign up for StreetLife! www.livablestreets.info/join