Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation

Toll Action Summary

Posted by:
Secretary James Aloisi, Executive Office of Transportation

The Turnpike Authority board of directors today took a necessary and responsible step in approving a two-phased toll increase . Without this vote , Turnpike bonds would be downgraded to junk bond status. That would be bad news for tollpayers and for every state agency and authority. The Board also committed to roll back the toll increase as soon as legislative action is taken on a comprehensive reform and revenue plan for our Commonwealth's transportation system that would provide direct assistance to the Turnpike to pay down debt. Today's approval now allows time for us to work in partnership with the Legislature to pass a comprehensive transportation and economic security plan. A summary of the toll increase may be viewed at the Turnpike Authority website, HERE.

In the News: Secretary on Reform

Watch or listen as Secretary Aloisi this week discussed the need for transportation reform:

NECN Newsnight

WGBH Greater Boston

WBUR Morning Edition 

WFCR

Exploring VMT

Posted by:
Secretary James Aloisi, Executive Office of Transportation

Many residents have contacted us with questions about the VMT program proposed in the Governor’s Transportation and Economic Security Plan. Those questions are exactly the reason that the Governor's plan and bill (to be filed soon) doesn't prescribe a VMT program -- what it does do is empower the RMV to explore VMT and institute a pilot program to come up with solutions to many of the issues that have been raised.

The goal would be to come up with a new program that addresses these concerns and will be simpler, cheaper and better – a solution that will encourage more fuel efficient cars while moving us away from the gas tax as a primary revenue source because its value can be expected to decline over time. Both the Governor and I have said it can't just be about solving the problems of today, we've got to look forward to the future.

We’re happy to see a spirited discussion about the bill and VMT in particular. Once RMV is empowered to begin exploring VMT we can begin to talk more about specifics on how this would play out.

In the meantime, we’ve asked RMV Registrar Rachel Kaprielian to post on this blog soon specifically regarding privacy concerns because privacy already is and will continue to be a top priority at the RMV and EOT.

Finally,  I would point everyone to Oregon's pilot program which is
really the model we'd follow:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/RUFPP/index.shtml

Their FAQ section they touch on several of the concerns that have been raised (privacy and how fuel efficient vehicles would be treated):
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/RUFPP/mileage_faq.shtml

Welcome!

Posted by:
Secretary James Aloisi, Executive Office of Transportation

Welcome to the Transportation blog!  I am really excited about launching the youMove Massachusetts website and blog - an important way for the Patrick Administration to lay out the facts, and to interact with the public about the Transportation and Economic Security Plan. 

We believe that the best solutions for our current transportation funding crisis will come from listening to the people who use our transportation services and facilities. 

As I have said on more than one occasion, the time is now to enact real reform and real change in how we finance our transportation system and services.  The time is now to tell people the truth - and the truth is that our transportation needs are seriously underfunded. We have not kept pace with inflation, let alone the basic maintenance needs of our system, and the result is that we are now having to pay for the sins of the past. 

This is not an easy path we have taken, but I firmly believe it is the right path - a path that is generationally responsible and that will bring significant positive returns to the citizens and the economy of Massachusetts. 

Stay tuned to this blog for updates and news about our reform and renew efforts as we build a long-term sustainable transportation system to support job growth and economic development. I look forward to hearing your voice on this blog and on www.mass.gov/youmovemassachusetts.

Feedback

Thanks for visiting our feedback post!  While we'll work hard to cover a wide variety of topics pertaining to transportation, there may be some things you'd like to hear more about or you might just have a comment or tip you'd like to share with us and others.  Please be assured that comments on this post are monitored just like the rest.  We want this blog to be as relevant and helpful to you as possible, so we welcome constructive input.

If you're looking to get in touch with someone at a specific program or service or have an issue that you don't want to share publicly and need a direct response on, please click here to contact our constituent services office.  Thank you!

Thanks for visiting our feedback post!  While we'll work hard to cover a wide variety of topics pertaining to transportation, there may be some things you'd like to hear more about or you might just have a comment or tip you'd like to share with us and others.  Please be assured that comments on this post are monitored just like the rest.  We want this blog to be as relevant and helpful to you as possible, so we welcome constructive input.

If you're looking to get in touch with someone at a specific program or service or have an issue that you don't want to share publicly and need a direct response on, please click here to contact our constituent services office.  Thank you!