http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/04/runaway_costs_on_rail_t http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/04/12/report-mbta-spending-out-of-control-on-employee-pay/ http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/21951093/2013/04/12/report-mbta-salaries-far-above-other-state-agencies The state’s taxpayer-funded commuter rail service is lavishing extravagant raises, “signing” bonuses and other plum perks on its engineers and conductors, according to a scathing new report that also slams the debt-ridde[...]

We need new revenue to maintain Massachusetts’ crumbling transportation system. But Gov. Deval Patrick’s new blueprint gives the same old interest groups the tools to repeat the mistakes that got us into this mess in the first place.[...]

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2012/06/15/mbtas-smart-program/ Rather than big dollar expansion projects, the MBTA’s Key Bus Routes program stands as an example of modest incremental investments that can yield improved service (and potentially increased ridership). The program released its initial design for improvements to the 39 bus route on Tuesday, and the results are promising.  They are eliminating a handful of stops, moving some bus stops, marking them more prominently, and lengt[...]

http://www.wbur.org/2012/04/08/debt-big-dig BOSTON — For nearly a decade, traffic has been zipping through Boston’s Big Dig tunnels, the nation’s costliest highway project that has also left a gaping financial hole in the state’s transportation budget that isn’t likely to be filled anytime soon. “Big Dig debt” has lately become one of the most frequently used – if not fully understood – terms in Massachusetts government. It was at the forefront of a tumultuous public debate over the MBTA’s finan[...]

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/its-official-daniel-grabauskas-now-highest-paid-city-employee/123 It’s official – Daniel Grabauskas is now the highest paid city employee. The former chairman and senior strategic adviser of the Bronner Center for Transportation Management and former general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority was confirmed today by the city’s Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation executive board as its chief executive officer and execut[...]

http://www.wickedlocal.com/arlington/news/x1569726331/Open-Checkbook-State-vendors-in-Arlington#axzz2O6UfvORR Earlier this month, state Treasurer Steve Grossman launched Open Checkbook,  fulfilling a campaign promise creating a new window into the inner-workings of  government. The site contains a trove of data, listing every state employee’s salary,  the line-by-line spending in each department and even the pensions of state  retirees. Open Checkbook also provides a searchable database of all s[...]

http://www.wickedlocal.com/marshfield/news/opinions/x364057122/COMMENTARY-Recent-history-of-the-T?zc_p=2#axzz2NuhDIn7u On Tuesday, Jan. 3, the MBTA outlined two proposals to reduce the more  than-$161 million budget deficit projected for fiscal 2013 in a presentation to  legislators. Both proposals included fare hikes, the reduction of services and a  complete elimination of the commuter boat subsidy. As the senator representing  the South Shore, I know this will have a negative effect on my dis[...]

http://hingham.patch.com/articles/fare-hikes-service-cuts-and-mbta-mismanagement-a-recent-history-of-the-t On Tuesday January 3 the MBTA outlined two proposals to reduce the over $161 million budget deficit projected for Fiscal Year 2013 in a presentation to legislators. Both proposals included fare hikes, the reduction of services and a complete elimination of the commuter boat subsidy. As the Senator representing the South Shore, I know this will have a negative effect on my district. I am fru[...]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120107/us-commuter-rail/ MBTA management has ruled out the possibility of taking over direct operation of the state’s commuter rail network. Instead, it may seek a longer-term contract with a private operator to spur investment in an aging system that has become increasingly prone to breakdowns. Who runs the trains and for how long is undoubtedly of less interest to 70,000 or so daily commuter rail passengers than whether the service is reliable a[...]

Pioneer Institute’s Agenda for Leadership for 2010 and Beyond Author(s): James Stergios — Publication date: 2010-10-27 Category: Better Government Abstract: Whoever wins the election this November will need to make tough decisions about policy, budget priorities, and the role of government. Massachusetts has lost 300,000 jobs over the past decade, has exhausted its rainy day and stimulus funds, and faces a billion-dollar structural budget deficit. Hit the Ground Running, Pioneer Institute’s 2010[...]