Commonwealth Conversations: Transportation

MassDOT Plan: Revolutionize Toll Collection

MassDOT announced plans are underway to implement on the Tobin Bridge All Electronic Tolling (AET), a form of toll collection that saves drivers from both stopping and slowing down to pay their toll. MassDOT has scheduled a series of informational meetings to inform North Shore commuters and answer questions about the upcoming transition.

“With the implementation of this innovative form of toll collection we are saying to our customers that their time is valuable,” said MassDOT Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey. “We are also increasing safety and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by cutting congestion and the time spent idling at the cash booth.”

Beginning early in 2014, motorists will no longer have the option to stop at a toll booth and pay cash for their Tobin Bridge toll. Tolls will be collected electronically in one of two ways: either through the motorist’s E-ZPass transponder or via a program in which a camera captures the license plate and the vehicle’s registered owner is billed by mail. A contractor has been selected to install the gantry or overhead collection system and work is beginning to support the technical back-office operations.

The informational meeting series will include timeframes and the benefits of AET such as reduced congestion, increased safety and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.  Motorists will be able to sign up for an E-ZPass transponder on-site.

MassDOT is encouraging motorists to join E-ZPass in advance of the transition and making it easier than ever for new customers to join E-ZPass. MassDOT is planning a new North Shore Customer Walk-In Center as well as putting a new mobile E-ZPass registration vehicle on the road this summer to reach those motorists still using cash.

Despite the introduction of transponders and electronic toll collection in the late 1990s, a significant portion of Tobin Bridge customers still elect to pay with cash. In 2012, there were 4.1 million cash transactions on the Tobin Bridge, an average of more than 11,000 each day.

E-ZPass transponders are now available at 17 AAA branches and 20 Registry of Motor Vehicles branches. You can also order a transponder online: www.Mass.gov/EZPassMA.

A list of informational meetings is available after the break.

MassDOT, AAA Promote E-ZPass

MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey and Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian today joined AAA of Southern New England to announce the availability of E-ZPass transponders at 17 AAA branches across the Commonwealth.

“Expanding the avenues through which motorists may join the E-ZPass program is an important convenience for MassDOT to offer,” said Secretary Davey. “Considering our many mutual customers, AAA is a logical partner in this effort and we are proud to bring this service to their members.”

E-ZPass transponders are now available to AAA members at AAA branches across Massachusetts, including in: Auburn, Boston, Burlington, Framingham, Haverhill, Lawrence, Leominster, Lowell, Newburyport, Newton, North Andover, Peabody, Plymouth, Rockland, Saugus, Waltham and Westwood.

E-ZPass users can forget about keeping cash and change on hand as they skip the line at the cash booths and travel, instead, through dedicated lanes without stopping. As residents begin to plan summer travel, it is important to note that E-ZPass is accepted on toll roads from Maine to Virginia and west to Illinois.
Non-AAA members may obtain a transponder by visiting our customer service centers in Auburn, East Boston or Natick, at select Registry branches or by joining online.

Early next year, MassDOT will launch All Electronic Tolling (AET) on the Tobin Bridge, which means no cash will be accepted at the point of toll collection. A statewide transition to AET is planned along the Massachusetts Turnpike and at the Airport Tunnels in the future.

Customers may be familiar with the AAA and MassDOT partnership through MassDOT’s Registry of Motor Vehicles Division. The Registry offers AAA members select transactions, such as license and registration renewals in Boston, Framingham, Saugus, South Dennis, West Springfield and Worcester.

RMV Prepares for Busy April Vacation Week

April school vacation days next week are among the RMV’s busiest of the year.  In preparation, MassDOT today again encouraged customers to do their business online if possible and unveiled new tools to help customers who must visit a branch better understand wait-times to plan their branch business.

“At MassDOT we are striving to manage customer expectations to improve the overall customer experience. We have received positive feedback from our MBTA’s countdown clock project and the installation of real time travel information along Interstate 93,” said MassDOT Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey. “Registry customers also deserve that level of transparency when it comes to branch wait-times.”

At all 30 branches, Registry Motor Vehicle Network screens are displaying average wait times, staffing levels and customer volume from the most recent month and how those figures compare with that month in the prior year.

Customer volume has increased across the board while staffing levels have decreased from 2012 to 2013. The result has been a slight uptick in average monthly wait times at most branches, while other branches have shaved minutes off their wait times through performance management and continued dedication from front line customer service representatives.

“This comparative information gives customers an honest look at our operations and holds us accountable,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian. “Customer wait times are the Registry’s most important metric and in these lean fiscal times we are managing our resources effectively.” 

This month to month data supplements the existing wait ticket system, which cannot account for a complicated transaction taking place immediately ahead of you. Staffing levels have fallen from 331 last year to 307 currently.

Last year during April Vacation, the RMV served 57,258 customers who waited an average of 35 minutes.

More customers are turning to online transactions, where there is no wait. In March, customers performed a record of more than 24,000 license renewal transactions online on the Registry’s new website, www.MassRMV.com, which debuted in February. A typical month sees less than 22,000.

This week the Registry also used MassDOT Highway Division electronic message boards to help decrease branch traffic next week, with a message urging customers to visit www.MassRMV.com before visiting a branch.

Licensing Guidelines Assist Veterans, Armed Forces Members

Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray today announced that all state agencies that oversee professional licensing within the Patrick-Murray Administration have established guidelines to assist members of the armed forces, veterans, and their spouses as they prepare and apply for jobs in Massachusetts. 

The announcement is a follow up to the authorization and implementation of “An Act Relative to Veterans’ Access, Livelihood, Opportunity, and Resources” (VALOR Act), signed by Governor Deval Patrick in 2012, which required certain areas of state government to establish military friendly practices for licensing. 

“As our military servicemen and women sacrifice their lives for our country they also gain tremendous and unique job training skills that should never be overlooked when seeking employment,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray, Chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Veterans’ Services. “We look forward to working with all partners to ensure our veterans are made aware of these new resources as they transition home and into our workforce.”

MassDOT's Registry of Motor Vehicles is officially adopting the Military Commercial Driver License Skills Test Waiver that allows a qualified service member or veteran to apply for a CDL without road skills testing.  The test will be waived for veterans with two years of military experience operating vehicles representative of the Class of license applied for, during the 90 days prior to discharge from the service.  The implementation of this waiver comes after a successful pilot with the Massachusetts National Guard.  Massachusetts will join 36 other states that have adopted this option. 

“Easing the Commercial Driver Licensing process for our qualified military personnel and veterans is a tremendous customer service that MassDOT is proud to offer,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian. “Our men and women will have access to greater employment opportunities with this valuable, marketable certification.”

A new website consolidating more than 200 state and federal benefits including all areas of state licensing benefits for the military is available at www.MassVetsAdvisor.org. MassVetsAdvisor provides access to programs for education, counseling, employment, health care and other services.
To learn more about services for Massachusetts veterans, visit www.mass.gov/veterans.

RMV Attleboro Branch Adds Permit Testing

MassDOT Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian today joined local officials and announced the availability of driver’s license permit testing at the Attleboro RMV Branch, located at 75 Park Street. 

The Attleboro Branch is one of two express branches in the Commonwealth that provide limited license and registration transactions. The availability of the permit testing in Attleboro will help the RMV manage an anticipated influx of test takers during the busy school vacation period.

“The City has been a great partner and has made it possible to bring permit testing to Attleboro,” said Registrar Kaprielian. “Teens and new drivers may now complete this important step in the licensing process closer to home.”

The Registry delivered existing automated testing equipment to provide six testing stations in Attleboro. The move will save area residents from traveling to Taunton, Milford or Brockton to complete the 20 minute test.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles administered approximately 45,000 permit tests across the Commonwealth in 2012. There are 4.73 million licensed drivers in Massachusetts.  To perform many basic transactions, visit the RMV online today at its new web address:  http://www.massrmv.com

Registry of Motor Vehicles Unveils MassRMV.com

MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles Division has transitioned to a new website making it the first motor vehicle administration in the nation poised to accept advertising in order to generate new revenue.

With more than 16 million website visits per year, the switch to www.massrmv.com offers limited advertising opportunities, and allows the RMV to develop clearer navigation to let customers perform their transactions with renewed confidence.

“This is a great example of MassDOT’s continued emphasis on making our services more user-friendly,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. “MassRMV.com makes online transactions simpler for the customer and gives us additional revenue opportunities.”

During 2012, Registry customers performed more than 3.4 million transactions online, up from 2.9 million transactions in 2011, ranging from license and registration renewals to citation payments to signing up to become organ donors. Advertisements will be limited to select informational pages and are not on customer transaction pages.

“MassRMV.com is now the official website of the Registry of Motor Vehicles where customers may perform 35 different transactions safely and securely,” said Registrar of Motor Vehicles Rachel Kaprielian. “We work hard to drive customer traffic to the web, so we recognize our obligation to make this mode of service delivery as convenient as possible.”

In September, MassDOT conducted usability testing on the new website design with customers at its Chinatown Branch. Based on customer reviews, navigation bars were redesigned, terminology was changed and special alerts affecting branch operations have been pushed to the forefront at MassRMV.com.

MassRMV.com customers will initially see promotional ads for MassDOT and RMV services while a contract with the advertising vendor, Municipal Media Solutions is finalized. In its first year of operation, the advertisements are expected to generate about $65,000 in new revenue.

Online advertising supplements current advertising partnerships, including those used in RMV mailers to defray mailing and productions costs. A closed-circuit RMV TV network, MVN, targets ads to those likely to be conducting business in Registry Branches and offers PSA time for relevant RMV news and updates.

Watertown RMV Event: Senior Drivers Focus

MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles will conduct an information session on issues facing senior drivers entitled “Shifting Gears” on Thursday, February 14, 10am- 12pm, Watertown Mall RMV Branch.

The session will be held in the Mall just outside the branch office.  MassDOT RMV's Michele Ellicks will provide information about senior driver issues, including:

• Recent research concerning mature drivers
• Alternative forms of transportation and local community resources
• Commonwealth’s rules of the road
• Recent changes at the RMV
• Warning signs of unsafe driving
• Requirements to apply for a handicap placard or plate and Massachusetts identification card

Office of Consumer Affairs & Business Regulation representatives will discuss Lemon Laws, identity theft, and provide information and examples of scam websites that target the RMV and its customers.

Secretary Davey: The Time to Act Decisively is Now

Posted by Richard A. Davey, MassDOT Secretary & Chief Executive Officer

The Pioneer Institute’s Jim Stergios has one fundamental point exactly right in his opinion article, “Lots of Art, Little Science in Transportation Plan.”  In his words: “let’s be clear that we do need new revenue for transportation and infrastructure.”  He may also be right about one other thing: my presentation skills in outlining MassDOT’s The Way Forward: A 21st-Century Transportation Plan, are no match for the “magic of Steve Jobs”! 

But I believe he misses the mark about the necessity of the proposals outlined in that presentation and our plan’s promise to revitalize our transportation system delivery across the Commonwealth- and jump start our state’s economy and create thousands of jobs in the process. 

The facts are that despite assertions to the contrary:

Reform is happening: We have successfully undertaken a multi-year, “full” reform effort in transportation.  From the elimination of “23 and out” at the MBTA to transitioning employees into the Group Insurance Commission, tangible reforms have saved taxpayers over $500m to date.  And, as we stated in our report, reform is not done.  A number of initiatives, from mobile ticketing on the T to introduction of all electronic tolling are underway or coming soon. And, we welcome more ideas on how to reduce our cost structure and improve the customer experience.

More transparency than ever: We have emphasized transparency in our dealings with our customers and provided meaningful information about service delivery and the state of our finances. Indeed, we sought out and specifically briefed the Pioneer Institute as we developed our new metrics and scorecard for your thoughts and advice. The MBTA’s scorecard, the DOT quarterly scorecard and our Accelerated Bridge Program scorecards are all available on our website.  The RMV discusses its monthly performance at every MassDOT Board meeting.  We held a public accountability meeting in Worcester to discuss the metrics, and have committed to holding such a meeting on a quarterly basis.  Granted, this information is spread out, so we are consolidating this information so it is more user friendly.

Transparency goes beyond scorecards though.  We have also opened up our MBTA operations center and other facilities to the public and publish weekly online our maintenance activities in the Central Artery and our Tunnels. Most importantly, we’ve engaged our customers directly.  In the last year, we’ve held over 100 public meetings and hearings across the state regarding T service/fare hikes, highway and transit project updates or our regular monthly Board meetings where public comment is invited.

Maintain what we have:  Our plan prioritizes maintenance of our current transportation system even as we advocate for critical projects statewide that are not the “same old” projects but rather long-discussed, necessary steps to ensure a bright future for our state.  Over 70% of the 10 year capital program in the Way Forward Plan is directed to investments in current roads, bridges, airports and rail infrastructure, and purchases new buses, trains and trolleys to replace the decades old fleet at the T and the RTAs.  On the operations side, we end the ludicrous practice of borrowing to pay for highway operations, provide much needed debt relief to the MBTA so current operations are maintained and appropriately fund the 15 Regional Transit Authorities for expanded bus service.

And yes, we will invest in targeted expansion that delivers new transportation services from Boston to Springfield, from the Berkshires to the South Coast, all projects long identified as critical to create jobs and economic development for the long-term benefit of the Commonwealth.  We fundamentally believe that more mobility options in every corner of the state is key to catalyzing economic activity.

We have also been open about the need to confront the increasing funding gap first identified- with the Pioneer Institute’s acknowledgment- in the 2007 Transportation Finance Commission report that identified a $19 billion gap in needed funds for maintenance of our transportation system over 20 years. We spoke with more than 7,000 members of the public, elected officials, business leaders and transportation stakeholders over the last year in more than 50 meetings across the state and heard their needs and concerns about our roads, our bridges, our buses, trains and bikeways. What we learned is that we have a problem most businesses would love to have – our customers want MORE of our services, not LESS.  

The question before us is clear.  How do we deliver the improved transportation services our customers demand?  The answers are found not in the inadequate steps mentioned by the Pioneer Institute. 

Rather than “lots of art, little science,” our 21st-century Plan is thoughtfully constructed and based on facts about transportation we have known for years- about our huge funding gap, our deferred maintenance, our absurd reliance on debt to pay for operations and the need for equitable transportation services in communities across our state. 

I look forward to our continuing conversation about the way forward, but the time to act decisively is now. 

MassDOT 21st Century Plan: Regional Investments

MassDOT's plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the Commonwealth: The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan includes strategic regional investments across the Commonwealth.

Western Massachusetts, Berkshires

The plan includes passenger rail service connecting Boston and Springfield along the “Inland Route,” and rehabilitation of infrastructure to support rail service between Pittsfield and New York City.

$362.4 million will rehabilitate the “Inland Route” by creating a second track, widening bridges, upgrading signals purchasing train equipment, and constructing or rehabilitating stations. This supports future high-speed rail to New York City via Springfield.

$113.8 million will rehabilitate rail from the Berkshires to New York City, including track, signals and structures between Pittsfield and the Massachusetts-Connecticut state line to support future rail service between Pittsfield and New York City.

The plan funds the I-91 Viaduct in Springfield, a $32.2 million increase to the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority in FY14, a $3.2 million increase to the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA), and a $1 million increase to the Franklin Regional Transit Authority (FRTA), along with reconstruction of Route 2 in Erving Center, the Mohawk bike and pedestrian trail in North Adams and the Skyline Trail in Hinsdale.

Central Massachusetts

The plan includes an $11.1 million increase in funding for the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) in FY14.  The plan also includes $12 million for improvements and safety enhancements at the interchange of I-495 and Route 9 in Westborough, reconstruction of Quinsigamond Avenue from Brosnihan Square to Southbridge Street in Worcester, and resurfacing of Route 119 in Groton and Littleton. 

South Coast

The plan funds completion of the South Coast Rail Line with diesel-fueled commuter trains to connect Boston to Fall River and New Bedford. The $1.8 billion investment is expected to create 3,800 jobs and generate $500 million in new economic activity statewide annually.

The plan also includes a $5.4 million increase in funding for the Southeastern Regional Transit Authority (SRTA) in FY14, interchange improvements at Routes 24 and 140 in Taunton, improvements to Route 6 and Fauce Corner Road in Dartmouth and reconstruction of Route 18 from Cove Street to Griffin Court in New Bedford.

Cape & Islands

The plan restores seasonal rail service on weekends between Boston and Hyannis.  The $20.8 million investment will upgrade rail, grade crossings, bridges and station accessibility.

The plan also includes a $5.9 million increase in funding for the Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority (CCRTA) in FY14, median construction along Route 6 in Bourne and resurfacing Route 6A in Brewster.

MassDOT Releases 21st Century Transportation Plan

The MassDOT Board and Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey today announced a plan for the next generation of transportation investment in the Commonwealth: The Way Forward: A 21st Century Transportation Plan.

The long-term financing plan shows that the state needs $684 million to operate the same system we have today. The plan calls for an additional investment in our transportation assets of $5.2 billion over ten years in road and highway repair in order to reduce the number of structurally deficient bridges and ease congestion on major arteries throughout the state; $3.8 billion to invest in existing transit services; and $275 million for Registry and airport maintenance.  These investments responsibly maintain the current transportation assets we have today.

In addition, the plan identifies a number of high-impact transportation projects across Massachusetts that, if built, will create thousands of jobs and spur economic development across the Commonwealth. In all, the plan identifies a $1.02 billion average additional need each year to create a 21st-Century transportation network.

“The plan released today is a stark, clear-eyed, non-partisan presentation of the facts,” said Governor Deval Patrick. “If we are serious about improving our transportation system for a generation, then we have to be willing to make the necessary investments. We must invest in transportation, not for the sake of transportation itself, but for the jobs and economic opportunity it creates.”

“Transportation is the enabling network of our economy, creating and supporting jobs in all regions of the Commonwealth,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.  “The MassDOT Board has outlined how far we've come and how far we have to go to ensure a safe, reliable and regionally equitable transportation network.  Now we all need to work together to make this vision a reality.”

The plan addresses systemic budget deficits at the MBTA, MassDOT and the 15 Regional Transit Authorities, much of which has been caused by the debt burden related to the Central Artery.

“We have spent the last year engaging our customers, the business community and various stakeholders in a conversation about what kind of transportation system they want,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey. “What is clear is that we can’t afford the system we have today, much less the system we all want. This plan clearly articulates our vision for a 21st-Century Transportation system and the steps we must take to achieves that.”

Additional operating needs include:

MassDOT - $371 million in FY14; $4.4 billion over 10 years

The proposed new funding will allow MassDOT to end the decades-long practice of funding operating costs – personnel, rent, utilities, lawn mowing, etc – with borrowed funds. Currently, for every dollar MassDOT spends today on these items, it pays $1.76 in principal and interest costs. Appropriately paying for these items with operating funds will save the Commonwealth money over time and free up capital dollars to invest in infrastructure improvements.

The additional funding will also allow MassDOT to sufficiently fund its snow and ice operations at an appropriate level based on the average five-year cost and support and maintain its new capital investments.

Regional Transit Authorities -- $100 million in FY14; $1.1 billion over 10 years

This additional investment will allow the RTA’s to end the practice of borrowing, with interest costs, to fund annual operating costs by instead forward-funding each agency. Beginning in FY15, the additional $100 million will be used to expand RTA service by adding hours of operation, increasing frequency on existing routes and adding new service.

MBTA - $166 million in FY14; $3.2 billion over 10 years

This new investment will allow the MBTA to close its current and projected budget deficits, much of which is caused by the debt burden related to the Central Artery public transit commitments. Beginning in FY2014, $25 million in annual operating funds will also be available to provide modest service enhancements such as possibly expanding evening hours, restoring weekend service in areas that have been cut and improved customer service.

In addition to responsibly paying for our daily operations, the 21st-Century Plan calls for a $13 billion infusion of capital investment funds. These funds, which would supplement the Administration’s current capital investment plans, will allow MassDOT to address a backlog of deferred maintenance and improve current assets in order to reduce congestion on our roads, curb delays and minimize crowding on our trains and buses and improve customer service at our facilities.

In 2007, the Transportation Finance Commission issued a report pegging our maintenance funding gap at $15 billion to $19 billion over 20 years. The investment proposed in the 21st-Century Plan is an aggressive plan to eliminate that backlog.

The list of investments over 10 years is available after the break.