Future of Boston's public transit: MBTA unveils draft 25-year investment plan

BOSTON — State transportation officials are looking to the future.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority have published a draft investment plan for the next 25 years, "positioning the MBTA to meet the needs of the region in 2040."

The Focus40 plan breaks down:

What the MBTA is doing to improve service now:  

• Replace the current RIDE vehicle fleet by 2023
• New fare payment system
• Upgrade Green Line track, replace cars
• Extend Green Line to Medford and Somerville
• Replace Red Line cars
• Replace Orange Line cars

Outlines the T's next priorities:  

• Implement platform barriers and doors
• Connect Blue and Red lines
• Pedestrian connection between State & Downtown Crossing
• Expand Silver Line fleet
• Expand bus service

Highlights long-term "big ideas":  

• Extend Blue Line to Lynn
• Create Downtown "Superstation" to connect Orange, Red and Green lines
• Autonomous bus shuttles
• Extend Orange Line to Everett and Roslindale
• Climate change resiliency

Focus40 hones in on three "priority places" that need and can support higher quality transit:

• Major employment districts; Kendall Square, Logan Airport, Longwood Medical Area, South Boston Waterfront
• Inner core communities lacking rapid transit; Dorchester, Mattapan, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, Everett, Chelsea, Revere
• Urban gateways; Lynn, Salem, Waltham.

MBTA's "big ideas" remain just that, ideas. The agencies are seeking public feedback on whether they should move forward in researching these future ideas.

You can read the full proposal and leave feedback here. The agencies are accepting comments through September 21, 2018.

The MBTA plans to release a final Focus40 plan in the fall.

Cox Media Group