MassDOT/MBTA Initiatives 

2019–2023 Capital Investment Plan

The 2019-2023 Capital Investment Plan is a five-year capital plan for MassDOT and MBTA investments. The investment strategies identified as part of Focus40 will inform future CIPs.

Better Bus Project

Nearly 450,000 people in 50 communities rely on MBTA bus service every weekday. The goal of the MBTA's Better Bus Project is to understand and analyze where today's bus service is not meeting the standards set by the January 2017 Service Delivery Policy, and propose recommendations to improve service.

Commuter Rail Vision

The MBTA's Rail Vision will identify cost-effective strategies to transform the MBTA's existing Commuter Rail system in order to better support improved mobility and economic competitiveness in the Boston region.

Everett Transit Action Plan

MassDOT undertook a transit study for the City of Everett to identify deficiencies in transit service and to develop short, medium, and long-term solutions to better connect Everett residents to other places in Everett as well as to the Boston region.

MBTA Strategic Plan

In the spring of 2016 the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) initiated a strategic planning process. The resulting plan prioritizes immediate actions to stabilize and improve the MBTA.

Regional Planning Efforts 

Metropolitan Area Planning Council's (MAPC's) Metro Future

MetroFuture is a 30-year plan to better the lives of the people who live and work in Metropolitan Boston. The plan calls for smart growth and regional collaboration. The plan is being updated in 2019 in a process called MetroCommon 2050.

Boston Region MPO

The Boston Region MPO’s Long-Range Transportation Plan identifies transportation goals, evaluates needs, and sets priorities for federal funding. The MPO is updating its long-range transportation plan, Destination 2040, to be adopted in spring 2019.

Municipal Planning Efforts 

Go Boston 2030

Go Boston 2030 is a City of Boston initiative to envision a bold transportation future.

Imagine Boston 2030

Imagine Boston 2030  is a city of Boston plan that charts a course to guide growth, address persistent inequalities, and face climate change. 

Envision Cambridge

Envision Cambridge is a community-wide process to develop a comprehensive plan for a more livable, sustainable, and equitable Cambridge.

Kendall Square Mobility Task Force

The Kendall Square Mobility Task Force process was established in 2015 to take a comprehensive look at mobility issues in the Kendall Square area of Cambridge.

Newton-in-Motion

Newton-in-Motion developed a comprehensive guide towards a more equitable, economically and environmentally sustainable multimodal transportation system.

Other Planning Efforts

Lower Mystic Regional Working Group

The Lower Mystic Regional Working Group was organized by MassDOT to study and develop recommendations for transportation improvements for the Lower Mystic River area, improvements that can support sustainable redevelopment and economic growth. The Lower Mystic River area includes parts of Boston, Everett, and Somerville, and is centered on the transportation hub of Sullivan Square.

Governor’s Commission on the Future of Transportation

Executive Order No. 579 established the Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth to advise on future transportation needs and challenges. The Commission will explore anticipated changes in technology, climate, land use, and the economy to determine likely impacts on transportation between 2020 and 2040. This work is being conducted through the development of future scenarios and formulation of recommendations for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other key decision makers. The Commission meets monthly and will provide a report on the analysis of members and make recommendations by December 1, 2018.

Barr Foundation BostonBRT

The Barr Foundation convened the Greater Boston BRT Study Group to better understand whether and where BRT could work in the region. This report outlines the Study Group’s conclusions.