More Trash Barrels Needed
To the Editor,
I was reading the North End Regional Review, looking for where to send this email. You were the only contact information that I saw.
Due to the renovations at Pupolo Park and Langone Field, there are no trash barrels between Charlestown Bridge and Battery Wharf on the water side of the street. I walk that route and routinely pick up trash when there is a place to dispose of it.
Can you work to get trash barrels at:
Skating rink, where tour busses stop. There is always lots of trash there, and people might use them.
Near entrance to Mirabella Pool; I routinely see trash in that area too, Others would be nice, but this is a bare minimum.
Regards,
Jim Poitras
Residents Need the MBTA
To the Editor,
Secretary Stephanie Pollack
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
10 Park Plaza, Suite 4160
Boston, MA 02116
Dear Secretary Pollack,
As Mayor of Boston, it’s my responsibility to advocate for the residents of Boston.
I just signed a budget for the City that gives $90 million to the MBTA — more than twice our own transportation budget. As we know, the MBTA is not currently a functional service for many of the residents of Boston. Boston residents rely on the T to get to work, to take their children to school, to go to doctor appointments, grocery shopping, and live their lives — my residents need the T.
While I appreciate the progress and urgency expressed by the MBTA in recent weeks, I still firmly believe we need better service on a faster timeline. As the MBTA works to fix the ongoing issues with its service, Red Line riders need better solutions today.
It’s still uncertain when service will be fully restored on the Red Line and, despite strong public opposition, mine included, fares still went up two weeks ago and riders continue to pay more for less.
To that end, on behalf of the City· of Boston, I am requesting that you increase the frequency of trains on the Red line and nearby commuter rail lines through the following service improvements:
• Expand Fairmount Service
Create 8 additional weekday trips on the Fairmount Line. The Fairmount Line has seen a noticeable increase in ridership during the las_t weeks, and the MBTA can increase service and capacity so more residents can utilize this line. Additionally, riders should be able to use Charlie Cards on the Fairmount Line.
Based on our teams’ estimates this would cost between $830,000 and $1,500, 000 annually.
• Preserve the South Shore Limited
Create 8 additional weekday trips, providing express service. This will help improve riders’ experiences on the South Shore, and relieve some pressure on the Red Line.
This would cost about $900,000 per year, based on Fairmount service costs.
• Increase the Off-Peak Hour Frequency
Run more trains during off-peak times on the Red Line, resulting in residents experiencing fewer trip delays. This is already being run on the Orange Line to accommodate the Encore Casino. This increase would accommodate Red Line commuters and residents trying to reach their homes and jobs.
This would cost around $7 million per year, based on similar Orange Line costs.
Taken together, these service improvements would create a positive, immediate benefit for riders in Boston. We estimate that the total cost of these improvements is equivalent to a four month delay in fare increases and it’s only fair that any additional revenue be invested directly back into improved service.
I look forward to hearing back on this request. Thank you for your work and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Martin J. Walsh
From Our Readers
Mayor of Boston