History of the MBTA

Mass transit in Boston, Massachusetts began as a family-owned and operated ferry about the time of the founding of Boston, in around 1630.{{cite web|title=The Ferry Five|url=http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/history/default.asp?id=952|website=MBTA|access-date=December 15, 2016}} Ground transportation started in Boston with a private stagecoach operation in 1793.{{cite web|title=The Omnibus|url=http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/history/default.asp?id=954|website=MBTA|access-date=December 15, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220125258/http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/history/default.asp?id=954|url-status=dead}}

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| caption = Suburban railroads around Boston in 1912. Boston and Maine Railroad lines are colored red, New York Central Railroad lines green, New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad lines blue, and the Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad black.

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{{main|MBTA Commuter Rail#Early history}}

The steam locomotive became practical for mass transportation in the 1810s and came to the United States in the 1820s. Three railroads were built from Boston to other industrial cities in 1834–35: the Boston and Lowell Railroad, Boston and Worcester Railroad, and Boston and Providence Railroad. There were soon eight intercity mainlines and numerous branches radiating from Boston. They were consolidated under three railroads in the last decades of the 19th century. Cuts from the 1910s to the 1950s ended service on many branches, but seven mainlines and several branches still had passenger service when the MBTA was formed in 1964.

Four of the current lines were part of the Boston and Maine Railroad (B&M):

• The Newburyport/Rockport Line descends from the Eastern Railroad, which opened from East Boston to {{bts|Salem}} in 1838. It was extended to {{bts|Ipswich}} in 1839, to {{bts|Newburyport}} in 1840, and eventually to Portland, Maine in 1842.{{cite book |title=The Rail Lines of Southern New England |edition=2 |last=Karr |first=Ronald Dale |publisher=Branch Line Press |year=2017 |isbn=9780942147124 |pages=}}{{rp|314}} The entry into Boston was built in 1854.{{rp|315}} The Gloucester Branch was built from {{bts|Beverly}} to {{bts|Gloucester}} in 1847 and to {{bts|Rockport}} in 1861.{{rp|322}} After a decades-long rivalry, the BM leased the Eastern in 1884. Passenger service on the Eastern Route mainline was cut back to Newburyport in 1965.{{rp|316}}
• The Haverhill Line descends from the Andover and Wilmington Railroad, which opened from {{bts|Wilmington}} to {{bts|Andover}} in 1836. It was extended to {{bts|Bradford}} in 1837, to Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1840, and to Portland in 1843. A cutoff between Wilmington Junction and Boston was built in 1845, giving the B&M its own route into Boston. The Western Route became the spine of the B&M system. Passenger service was cut back to Dover, New Hampshire, in 1965 and to {{bts|Haverhill}} in 1967.{{rp|291–294}}
• The Lowell Line descends from the Boston and Lowell Railroad (B&L), which opened in 1835.{{rp|285}} It was extended northwards by the Nashua and Lowell Railroad in 1838 and the Concord Railroad in 1842; both were later leased by the B&L.{{rp|272}} The B&M leased the B&L in 1887.{{rp|286}} Passenger service was cut back to {{bts|Lowell}} in 1967.{{rp|273}}
• The Fitchburg Line descends from the Fitchburg Railroad, which opened in phases from West Cambridge to {{bts|Fitchburg}} in 1843–1845. It acquired the previously-built Charlestown Railroad, which ran between West Cambridge and Charlestown, in 1844. A short extension into Boston opened in 1848.{{rp|248}} The Vermont and Massachusetts Railroad was extended west to Millers Falls and north to Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1851, and west from Millers Falls to Troy, New York, in 1876 via the Hoosac Tunnel.{{rp|199, 201}} The B&M leased the Fitchburg in 1900. Passenger service was cut back to Fitchburg in 1960.{{rp|202}}

The B&M system also included three lines closed during the MBTA era – the Woburn Branch (1981), Lexington Branch (1977), and Central Massachusetts Branch (1971) – and numerous lines closed prior to 1964.

One current line was part of the New York Central Railroad, which merged into the Penn Central Transportation Company in 1968:

• The Boston and Worcester Railroad opened from Boston to {{bts|Worcester}} in stages in 1834–35.{{rp|342}} The Western Railroad opened in stages from Worcester to Albany, New York, in 1839–1841.{{rp|190}} The two railroads merged in 1867 as the Boston and Albany Railroad (B&A), which was acquired by the New York Central in 1900.{{rp|342}}

Several B&A branch lines closed prior to 1964. The Highland branch was closed in 1958 for conversion to a streetcar line, now the Green Line D branch. The freight-only Grand Junction Railroad, formerly owned by the B&A, is used by the MBTA for equipment moves.

Seven of the current lines were part of the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, which merged into Penn Central in 1969. Four were operated when the MBTA was formed:

• The Providence/Stoughton Line descends from the Boston and Providence Railroad (B&P), which opened between Boston and Providence in 1834–35.{{rp|177}} The New York, Providence and Boston Railroad (NYP&B) opened southwest from Providence in 1837, with a short connector into downtown Providence opened in 1848.{{rp|147}} The Stoughton Branch opened from {{bts|Canton Junction}} to {{bts|Stoughton}} in 1845.{{rp|181}} A new routing between Attleboro and Providence opened in 1847.{{rp|177}} The Old Colony Railroad acquired the B&P in 1888. The New Haven acquired an NYP&B successor in 1892 and the Old Colony in 1893, using the NYP&B and the B&P as part of its New York–Boston mainline (now part of the Northeast Corridor).{{rp|178}}
• The Fairmount Line descends from the Midland Railroad, which opened from Boston to {{bts|Islington}} via {{bts|Readville}} in 1855. It operated intermittently under several owners including the Boston and New York Central Railroad and Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad until resuming full operation in 1867. The Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad became part of the New York and New England Railroad (NY&NE) in 1875. The New Haven acquired an NY&NE descendant in 1898 and rerouted through trains onto the BP north of Readville. Boston–Readville service ended in 1944 and did not resume until the MBTA era.{{rp|361–363}}
• The Franklin/Foxboro Line descends from the Norfolk County Railroad, which opened between {{bts|Dedham}} (on the B&P Dedham Branch) and Blackstone in 1849. It became part of the Boston and New York Central Railroad in 1853 and used the Midland Railroad (when operating) as its Boston entry after 1855. After several short-term operators, it became part of the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad in 1867. The New Haven cut back service to {{bts|Franklin/Dean College}} in 1966. The Franklin–{{bts|Forge Park/495}} segment of the current line originated in 1882 as part of the Milford and Woonsocket Railroad, which was leased by the NY&NE in 1887. Passenger service was intermittent after 1920 and was discontinued in 1940; it did not resume until the MBTA era.{{rp|372}} The {{bts|Walpole}}–{{bts|Foxboro}} segment of the current line opened as part of the Mansfield and Framingham Railroad in 1870 and became part of the Old Colony in 1879. Passenger service was discontinued in 1933 and did not resume until the MBTA era.{{rp|374–375}}
• The Needham Line descends from two originally-unrelated branch lines. The B&P opened its West Roxbury Branch between {{bts|Forest Hills}} and {{bts|Readville}} via {{bts|West Roxbury}} in 1849.{{rp|180}} The Charles River Railroad opened from {{bts|Newton Highlands}} to Needham in 1853, using the Highand branch to reach Boston. It was extended to Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in 1861–1863 and became part of the Boston, Hartford and Erie Railroad in 1865.{{rp|353}} The New Haven opened a cutoff from {{bts|Needham Junction}} to West Roxbury in 1906.{{rp|353}} Service north of {{bts|Needham Heights}} ended in 1932. Service south of Needham Junction (the Millis Branch) ended in 1967.{{rp|351}}

The New Haven ended all service on the Old Colony Division – the former Old Colony Railroad lines that were not part of the B&P – prior to formation of the MBTA. Service to Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton via {{bts|Stoughton}} ended in 1958. Service via Quincy ended in 1959, including three lines that were reactivated by the MBTA:

• The Kingston Line descends from the original Old Colony Railroad, which opened from Boston to Plymouth in 1845. It underwent several mergers, again becoming the Old Colony Railroad in 1872.{{rp|378}}
• The Middleborough/Lakeville Line descends from the Fall River Railroad, which opened from {{stl|NYNH&H|South Braintree}} to Fall River in 1846. It merged with the Old Colony in 1854. Passenger service between {{bts|Middleborough}} and Myricks in 1931 and south of Myricks in 1958.{{rp|401}} The segments opening as part of South Coast Rail include the East Taunton–New Bedford portion of the New Bedford and Taunton Railroad (opened 1840, acquired by the Old Colony in 1879, passenger service ended 1958), the Middleborough and Taunton Railroad (opened 1856, acquired by the Old Colony in 1879, passenger service ended 1927), and the Myricks–Fall River portion of the Fall River Railroad.{{rp|398}}
• The Greenbush Line descends from the South Shore Railroad, which opened from {{stl|NYNH&H|Braintree}} to {{stl|NYNH&H|Cohasset}} in 1849.{{rp|384}} The Duxbury and Cohasset Railroad extended the line to South Duxbury in 1871 and {{stl|NYNH&H|Kingston}} in 1874. The Old Colony acquired the two lines in 1877 and 1878.{{rp|385}} Passenger service south of {{bts|Greenbush}} ended in 1939.{{rp|387}}

Two New Haven lines closed in 1967 – the Dedham Branch and the Millis Branch. A number of other branches, particularly on the Old Colony Division, closed prior to the MBTA era. The Shawmut Branch and part of the Milton Branch were converted to a streetcar line and rapid transit extension (now the Mattapan Line and part of the Red Line) in 1926–1929.

The Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad opened from East Boston to Lynn in 1874. It was a narrow-gauge railroad that never extended beyond Lynn or interchanged freight with other railroads, depending on short-distance passenger traffic. The line was electrified in 1928 with frequent commuter service. All service ended in 1940. A portion of the right-of-way in East Boston and Revere was converted to a rapid transit extension – now part of the Blue Line – in the 1950s.{{rp|329–331}}

{{Further|Boston Elevated Railway}}

File:1885 West End Street Railway map.png

The Cambridge Railroad was the first streetcar company in Massachusetts. It was chartered in 1853 to connect the West End of Boston to Central Square and Harvard Square in Cambridge via the West End Bridge. (The bridge was replaced by the current Longfellow Bridge in early August 1906). This is the same route followed by today's Red Line subway, but on the surface street network. Using horse-drawn streetcars, the Cambridge Railroad started running on March 26, 1856. Another streetcar company, the Dorchester Railroad, was chartered in 1854. Over 20 streetcar lines were laid down throughout the Boston area by these and other competing companies.

In order to regulate fares and reduce competition, the General Court of Massachusetts passed the West End Consolidation Act to consolidate the rail line operations.{{cite web|title=Horsecars on Rails and the West End Street Railway Company|url=http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/history/default.asp?id=956|website=MBTA|access-date=December 15, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220131304/http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/history/default.asp?id=956|url-status=dead}}

This created the West End Street Railway in 1885. The company consolidated ownership of existing streetcar lines in Boston and the inner suburbs and began converting the animal-drawn vehicles to electric propulsion. In 1888, a blizzard hit the Northeastern United States called the Great Blizzard of 1888, creating rail and streetcar disturbances in New York City, Philadelphia, and other northeastern cities like Boston. The first electric trolleys ran in 1889, and the last horsecar went out of service around 1900.

In the late 19th century and early 20th century, two other streetcar companies gained consolidated ownership of many smaller lines. The Middlesex and Boston Street Railway came to control the western suburbs, and the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway came to control the northern and southern suburbs.

File:Platforms at Park Street Station, 1898.jpg on the Green Line soon after opening, circa 1898]]

Severe streetcar congestion on streets in downtown Boston and the Great Blizzard of 1888 created the need for subways and elevated rail. These grade-separated railways would add transportation capacity, and avoid delays caused by intersections with cross streets and growing congestion in mixed street traffic. The West End Street Railway was renamed the Boston Elevated Railway (BERy), and undertook several such projects.

Boston's subway was the first in the United States and is often called "America's First Subway" by the MBTA and others.{{cite web | title = Famous Firsts in Massachusetts | publisher = Commonwealth of Massachusetts | url = http://www.mass.gov/statehouse/firsts_1800.htm | access-date = November 13, 2006}} In 1897 and 1898, the Tremont Street subway opened as the core of the precursor to the Green Line.{{Cite web |date=September 1, 1897 |title=Experiences of the first Subway Riders in Boston |url=http://members.aol.com/netransit/private/tss/tssnews.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050829090042/http://members.aol.com/netransit/private/tss/tssnews.html |archive-date=2005-08-29 |access-date= |website=The Boston Globe}}

In 1901, the Main Line Elevated, the precursor to the Orange Line opened. It was a rapid transit line running as an elevated railway through outlying areas and using the Tremont Street subway downtown, with the outer tracks and platforms reconfigured for Elevated trains.{{cite web|url=http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Civil-and-Environmental-Engineering/1-012Spring2002/Readings/detail/green_line_project.htm |title=Boston Transit Milestones |first=Romin |last=Koebel |work=MIT Open Courseware |year=2005 |access-date=August 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060920021538/http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Civil-and-Environmental-Engineering/1-012Spring2002/Readings/detail/green_line_project.htm |archive-date=September 20, 2006 |url-status=dead }} The Atlantic Avenue Elevated opened soon after, providing a second route through downtown. This was the first elevated railway and the first rapid transit line in Boston, three years before the first underground line of the New York City Subway, but some 33 years after the first elevated railway in New York.

In 1904, the next line to open was the East Boston Tunnel, a streetcar tunnel under Boston Harbor to East Boston. This replaced a transfer between streetcars and ferries and provided access to the other subways downtown. The tunnel was converted to rapid transit specifications in 1924, with an easy cross-platform streetcar transfer at the East Boston end. East Boston ferry continued to run until 1952.[https://www.eastboston.com/Archives/History/ferrybos.html The Penny Ferry]

In 1908, the Washington Street Tunnel opened, giving the Elevated a shorter route through downtown and returning the older Tremont Street subway to full streetcar service. Various extensions and branches were built to the Tremont Street subway in both directions, bypassing more surface tracks. In addition, when the Main Line El opened in 1901, many surface routes were cut back to its {{bts|Dudley Square}} and {{bts|Sullivan Square}} terminals to provide a transfer for a faster route downtown. Further elevated extensions, as with the Charlestown Elevated, were soon built on each end, and more streetcar lines were connected.

In 1912, the Cambridge Tunnel opened, connecting the Downtown Boston routes to Harvard Square in Cambridge. It was soon extended south from Downtown to Dorchester as the Dorchester Tunnel. The Dorchester Extension, opening in stages from 1927, took the line further along a former New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad branch through Dorchester, with the Ashmont–Mattapan High Speed Line continuing along the old right of way to Mattapan. This, too, resulted in cutbacks in streetcar service to its terminals.

As built, many of the key rapid transit transfer stations were prepayment stations, in which free transfers could be made between surface streetcar lines and grade-separated subway or elevated lines. This was made possible by the operation of all services under one umbrella; some suburban services that operated over the same streetcar tracks used different areas outside fare control. Some of the streetcar levels in transfer stations were later converted for bus or trackless trolley operation; other such spaces have been closed. Some of the prepaid transfer areas still exist architecturally, and faregates enclose all subway stations (but not most above-ground Green Line stops).

Free in-station transfers were eliminated in October 1961, except among subway routes at the transfer stations in Downtown Boston. Transfers between bus and rapid transit were restored, in a limited capacity in 2000, and in full in 2007 as long as a CharlieCard is used. Transfers between bus and subway are reduced price but not free, while a single transfer between one local bus and another is free.

Prepayment streetcar stations included rapid transit transfer stations at {{bts|Andrew}}, {{bts|Ashmont}}, {{bts|Broadway}}, {{bts|Dudley}}, {{bts|Egleston}}, {{bts|Everett}}, {{bts|Fields Corner}}, {{bts|Forest Hills}}, {{bts|Harvard}}, {{bts|Lechmere}}, Massachusetts, {{bts|Maverick}}, and {{bts|Sullivan Square}}; surface-streetcar-only stations at {{bts|Arborway}}, {{bts|Kenmore}}, and {{bts|Watertown Yard}}.

The Boston Elevated Railway started replacing rail vehicles with buses in 1922, a process later dubbed "bustitution". The last Middlesex and Boston Street Railway streetcars ran in 1930. The BERy started replacing some rail vehicles with trackless trolleys in 1936.

By the beginning of 1953, the only remaining streetcar lines fed two tunnels — the main Tremont Street subway network downtown and the short tunnel (now the Harvard bus tunnel) in Harvard Square. Diesel-powered buses could not be used in the tunnels due to the problem of venting exhaust fumes.

In 1958, the Harvard Square tunnel routes were replaced with electrically powered trackless trolleys, which were the only such MBTA routes. A short non-revenue connection from the terminus of the #71 trackless trolley out of Harvard Square runs to the Watertown Carhouse for maintenance. In the 21st century, with the new Phase 2 Silver Line in South Boston, trackless trolley services were extended for the first time in decades.

The old elevated railways proved to be an eyesore, and several sharp curves following Boston's twisty streets became more problematic because of severe speed limitations, high maintenance, and noise. The beginning of the decline of the Atlantic Avenue Elevated line was the Boston molasses disaster of 1919, which interrupted service on the line. After another serious accident in 1928, the Atlantic Avenue Elevated was partially closed, running as a stub shuttle. In 1938, it was completely shut down and then demolished for scrap metal in 1942.

In 1944, passenger service on the Fairmount Line was canceled by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad after a long period of declining ridership. As rail passenger service became increasingly unprofitable, largely due to the increasingly popular automobile, government takeover became necessary to prevent abandonment of commuter rail services by bankrupt railroad companies.

In 1947, the newly formed Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) purchased and took over subway, elevated, streetcar, and bus operations from the Boston Elevated Railway.[http://members.aol.com/netransit/private/LRV.html Boston's Green Line Crisis] The original MTA district consisted of 14 cities and towns — Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Milton, Newton, Revere, Somerville, and Watertown.

A state commission headed by Lieutenant Governor Arthur W. Coolidge published in 1947 an ambitious plan to replace private commuter rail services (which were losing money) with higher-frequency electric rapid transit that would run roughly out to what is now the Massachusetts Route 128 corridor. The goal was to shift commuters from automobiles and buses and deal with the "intolerable traffic conditions in downtown Boston".{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2019/11/27/what-mbta-was-supposed-look-like/68xQoWvCHg4H68lIbxy16K/story.html |title=A visionary plan for the MBTA's future (from 1947) |newspaper=The Boston Globe |author=Emily Sweeney |date=November 27, 2019}}

The MTA successfully implemented a few rapid transit expansions, but progress was slowed as automobile ownership increased and the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 diverted many commuters off of mass transit.

Between 1952 and 1954, the Revere Extension (now part of the Blue Line) opened to Wonderland, mostly along the former narrow-gauge Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn Railroad right-of-way.

In 1959, MTA streetcar service opened on what is now the Riverside Green Line D branch, connecting to the Boylston Street subway and using trackage purchased from the New York Central Railroad, which had stopped running on the line the previous year. The new service required much more rolling stock than expected, due to heavy ridership.

Also in 1959, with the opening of the Southeast Expressway, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad halted passenger service on the former Old Colony Railroad lines. The replacement rapid transit service did not open until a dozen years later, with the service finally going just beyond the new Expressway's southern end nine years afterward.

Meanwhile, the last two streetcar lines running into the Pleasant Street Portal of the Tremont Street subway were replaced with buses in 1953 and 1962, and the portal has since been covered over by a public park.

When the MTA reintroduced year-round ferry service to Hull in 1963 (now MBTA boat), it was the only commuter-focused ferry service in the United States.{{cite report |url=https://www.ctps.org/data/calendar/htmls/2019/MPO_0620_Ferry_Inventory_Memo.html |title=Inventory of Ferry Boat and Other Passenger Water Transportation Services in Massachusetts in 2018 and 2019 |publisher=Central Transportation Planning Staff |first=Thomas J. |last=Humphrey |date=June 20, 2019}}

On August 3, 1964, the MBTA succeeded the MTA, with an enlarged service area of 78 cities and towns. A 79th community (Maynard) joined in or before 1972 and left in or after 1976.

The MBTA was formed partly to subsidize existing commuter rail operations, provided at that time by three private railroad companies — the Boston and Maine Railroad, the New York Central Railroad (via the Boston and Albany Railroad), and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad — with the B&M running the north-side lines and the NYC and NYNH&H (both merged into Penn Central in 1968, and taken over by Conrail in 1976) on the south side. The MBTA soon began to subsidize the companies, and acquired the lines in stages from 1973 through 1976, but with major cutbacks in service and coverage area. Since then, many of these lines have seen service return, most notably the Old Colony Railroad (NYNH&H) lines to the South Shore.

By 1964, commuter rail service to Worcester was being provided. In 1965, the Boston and Maine Railroad started receiving MBTA subsidies for its commuter service. In 1973, the MBTA bought most of its present-day commuter rail trackage from the Boston and Maine Railroad and Penn Central (into which the New York Central Railroad and the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad had merged). It also purchased rolling stock at this time. Trackage between Framingham and Worcester was not acquired by the agency, and due to a lack of state subsidy, commuter rail service on this portion was cut in 1975. Service was resumed in 1994, though the track was still privately owned until the state purchased it from CSX Transportation in 2011. The Fairmount Line was purchased from Penn Central in 1976. Passenger service resumed there in 1979 during diversion of other lines during Southwest Corridor construction and was continued even after the project was complete.

In 1965, the MBTA assigned colors to its four rapid transit lines on the advice of the CambridgeSeven architectural consulting group, and lettered the branches of the Green Line from north to south. However, shortages of streetcars, among other factors, eventually caused bus substitution of rail service on two branches of the Green Line. In 1969, the A branch was replaced by bus service in its entirety. In 1985, the portion of the E branch from Heath Street to Arborway was replaced by buses.

In 1968, the MBTA purchased bus routes in the outer suburbs to the north and south, from the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. Western suburban routes were purchased in 1972 from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway. (Both of these companies had long since ceased running any streetcar service). A few routes to the north were taken over from Service Bus Lines in 1975, and one in the south in 1980 from the Brush Hill Transportation Company. As with the commuter rail system, many of the outlying routes were dropped soon before or after the takeover, due to low ridership and high operating costs, and out-of-district communities' refusal to join or contract with the MBTA.

In the 1970s, the MBTA received a boost from the BTPR areawide re-evaluation of the role of transit relative to highways. Following a moratorium on major highway construction inside Route 128, numerous transit lines were planned for expansion by the Voorhees-Skidmore, Owings and Merrill-ESL consulting team.

The Charlestown Elevated, part of the Orange Line north of downtown Boston, was replaced by the Haymarket North Extension in 1975.

The Braintree extension, a branch of the Red Line to Braintree, opened in stages from 1971 to 1980, upgrading an existing rail corridor. The Red Line Northwest Extension to Alewife opened in 1985, with an intermediate opening in 1984, partly along a railroad corridor and partly through a newly built deep-bore tunnel.

The southern part of the Washington Street Elevated lasted until 1987 when the Southwest Corridor was opened, rerouting service from discontinued elevated trackage to new facilities in a parallel existing rail corridor. The closure of the Washington Street Elevated south of downtown Boston brought the end of rapid transit service to the Roxbury neighborhood, which was eventually replaced with the Silver Line bus rapid transit.

These extensions provided not only additional subway system coverage but also major parking structures at several of the terminal and intermediate stations. For example, the Route 2 freeway ends at the Red Line terminus, Alewife station, where there is a large parking garage operated by the MBTA.

With the 2004 replacement of the Causeway Street Elevated by a subway tunnel connection, the only remaining elevated railways are a short portion of the Red Line at Charles/MGH, and a short portion of the Green Line between Science Park and Lechmere.

In 1999, the district was expanded further to 175 cities and towns, adding most communities that were served by or adjacent to Commuter Rail lines (again including Maynard). The MBTA did not assume responsibility for local transit service in those communities, some of which run their own buses, and some of which depend on private bus services.

Prior to July 1, 2000, the MBTA had been automatically reimbursed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for all costs above revenue collected (net cost of service). Beginning on that date, the T was granted a dedicated revenue stream consisting of amounts assessed on served cities and towns, along with a dedicated 20% portion of the 5% state sales tax. Going forward, the MBTA now would have to live within this "forward funding" budget.

The Commonwealth assigned to the MBTA responsibility for increasing public transit to compensate for increased automobile pollution from the Big Dig. The T submerged a nearby portion of the Green Line and rebuilt Haymarket and North Stations during Big Dig construction. However, these projects have strained the MBTA's limited resources, since the Big Dig project did not include funding for these improvements. Since 1988, the MBTA has been the fastest expanding transit system in the country, even as Greater Boston has been one of the slowest growing metropolitan areas in the United States.

{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/05/24/t_expansion_on_wrong_track/|work=The Boston Globe|title=T expansion on wrong track|date=May 24, 2006}}

When, in 2000, the MBTA's budget became limited, the agency began to run into debt from scheduled projects and obligatory Big Dig remediation work, which have now given the MBTA the highest debt of any transit authority in the country. In an effort to compensate, rates underwent an appreciable hike on January 1, 2007. Increasingly, local advocacy groups are calling on the state to assume $2.9 billion of the authority's now approximate debt of $9 billion, the interest on which severely limits funds available for required projects.{{cite web|title=Legislators, Advocacy Groups And T Riders Call For MBTA Debt Relief|url=http://www.masspirg.org/news-releases/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/legislators-advocacy-groups-and-t-riders-call-for-mbta-debt-relief|publisher=MASSPIRG|access-date=January 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002144017/http://www.masspirg.org/news-releases/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/legislators-advocacy-groups-and-t-riders-call-for-mbta-debt-relief|archive-date=October 2, 2011|url-status=dead}}

In 2006, the creation of the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority saw Framingham, Natick, Weston, Sudbury, Wayland, Marlborough, Ashland, Sherborn, Hopkinton, Holliston, and Southborough subtract their MWRTA assessment from their MBTA assessment. Communities that are also members of other RTAs such as CATA, MVRTA, LRTA, WRTA, GATRA, and BAT may also subtract their RTA assessment from their MBTA assessment.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} The amount of funding the MBTA received remained the same; the assessment on remaining cities and towns increased but is still allocated by the same formula.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} On October 31, 2007, the MBTA reestablished commuter rail service to the Greenbush section of Scituate, the third branch of the Old Colony service.{{cite web|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/11/01/high_hopes_ride_greenbush_rails/ |title=High hopes aboard as Greenbush commuter train gets rolling - The Boston Globe |work=Boston.com |date=November 1, 2007 |access-date=June 6, 2012}}

Rail renovation on the Green Line D branch took place in the summer of 2007.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/07/01/on_d_line_a_for_effort_d_for_delay/|title=On D Line, A for effort, D for delay: Many riders cite longer commute|last=Masis|first=Julie|date=July 1, 2007|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=February 3, 2018}} New, low-floor cars on the line were introduced on December 1, 2008.

In 2008, Daniel Grabauskas, then the MBTA General Manager, revealed that the MBTA cut trips from published train and bus schedules without informing passengers, referred to as “hidden service cuts”, saying this misrepresentation of service had been happening for years. Grabauskas said this practice has been ended.{{cite web|last=Herald |first=Boston |url=http://news.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1073870&srvc=home&position=rated |title=Bus-ted: T lied to cut costs - BostonHerald.com |publisher=News.bostonherald.com |date=February 16, 2008 |access-date=June 18, 2012}}

On June 26, 2009, Governor Deval Patrick signed a law to place the MBTA along with other state transportation agencies within the administrative authority of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), with the MBTA now part of the Mass Transit division (MassTrans).

{{cite news|url=http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3pressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Agov3&b=pressrelease&f=090626_transportation_reform_bill&csid=Agov3|title=Governor Patrick Signs Bill to Dramatically Reform Transportation System: New law will put an end to big dig culture, abolish the turnpike and help secure the commonwealth's economic future|work= Press Release|publisher=Office of the Governor of Massachusetts|date=June 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605231905/http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3pressrelease&L=1&L0=Home&sid=Agov3&b=pressrelease&f=090626_transportation_reform_bill&csid=Agov3|archive-date=June 5, 2011|access-date=January 21, 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Chapter 25 of the Acts of 2009: An Act Modernizing the Transportation Systems of the Commonwealth|date=June 29, 2009|work=Session Laws 2009|publisher=General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts|access-date=July 18, 2009|url=http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/seslaw09/sl090025.htm|archive-date=October 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007075227/http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/SessionLaws/Acts/2009/Chapter25|url-status=dead}}

{{cite news|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/01/15/senate_roadway_plan_avoids_tax_or_toll_hike|title=Senate roadway plan avoids tax or toll hike: Critics say concept ignores cash need|last=Bierman|first=Noah|date= January 15, 2009|access-date=July 18, 2009|work=Boston Globe }}

{{cite news|title=Legislature approves transportation bill despite union concerns|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/06/unions_criticiz.html|work=Boston Globe|last=Viser|first=Matt|author2=Noah Bierman| access-date=July 18, 2009| date=June 18, 2009 }}

The 2009 transportation law continued the MBTA corporate structure and changed the MBTA board membership to the five Governor-appointed members of the Mass DOT Board.

{{cite news|title=Transportation Reform Enacted|first=Will|last= Brownsberger|author2=State Representative |author3=24th Middlesex District |date= June 18, 2009|work=WillBrownsberger.com|url=http://willbrownsberger.com/index.php/archives/1651|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008141740/http://willbrownsberger.com/index.php/archives/1651|archive-date=October 8, 2011|access-date=January 21, 2015|url-status=dead}}

Rhode Island, which has funded commuter rail service to Providence since 1988, paid for extensions of the Providence/Stoughton Line to T.F. Green Airport in 2010 and Wickford Junction in 2012. The Fairmount Line, located entirely in the southern reaches of Boston, has been undergoing an improvement project since 2002. The first new station, Talbot Avenue, opened in November 2012.{{cite news |url=http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/dorchester/2012/11/mbta_opens_new_commuter_rail_s.html |title=MBTA opens new commuter rail station at Talbot Avenue in Dorchester on Fairmount Line |newspaper=Boston Globe |author=Rocheleau, Matt |date=November 12, 2012 |access-date=November 12, 2012}}

Claims have been made by the Pioneer Institute that since 1988 the MBTA has been the fastest expanding transit system in the country, even as Greater Boston has been the slowest growing metropolitan area.{{cite news| url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2006/05/24/t_expansion_on_wrong_track/ | work=The Boston Globe | title=T expansion on wrong track | date=May 24, 2006}} However, research by the Frontier Group finds that "no category has the MBTA been the “fastest-growing” of the nation's largest transit agencies, and in only two categories does it crack the top 10. However, the MBTA does crack the top 10 in another category: absolute growth in transit ridership."{{cite news| url=http://frontiergroup.org/blogs/blog/fg/pioneer-institute-says-mbta-fastest-growing-transit-agency-its-not | work=The Pioneer Institute | title=Pioneer Institute Says MBTA Is Fastest-Growing Transit Agency. It's Not. | date=March 3, 2015}}

When, in 2000, the MBTA's income was capped, the agency began to run up large debts from already-scheduled projects and obligatory Big Dig remediation work. {{As of|2012}}, the MBTA has the highest debt of any transit authority in the United States. In an effort to compensate, rates were hiked on January 1, 2007, from $1.25 up to $2.00 per subway ride with a CharlieTicket, and $1.70 with a CharlieCard.[http://www.mbta.com/fares_and_passes/ MBTA.com > Information on Fares and Passes] Increasingly, local advocacy groups are calling on the state to assume $2.9 billion of the authority's debt, which totals approximately $9 billion. The interest on this debt is a large proportion of the MBTA's annual expenses, and severely limits funds available for any further required projects.[http://www.masspirg.org/news-releases/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/legislators-advocacy-groups-and-t-riders-call-for-mbta-debt-relief Legislators, Advocacy Groups And T Riders Call For MBTA Debt Relief — MASSPIRG] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002144017/http://www.masspirg.org/news-releases/transportation-agenda/transportation-agenda/legislators-advocacy-groups-and-t-riders-call-for-mbta-debt-relief |date=October 2, 2011 }}

In April 2012, the MBTA Advisory Board approved major fare increases on all MBTA services, and cutbacks or terminations of some transit routes. In July 2014, fares were increased further by an average of 5%.

On October 10, 2007, the MBTA introduced a pilot program in North, South, and Airport stations called T-Radio. The program would have been expanded to pipe in music, light news, weather, entertainment tips, and eight to ten minutes of commercials each hour to every MBTA subway station.{{cite news

|url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/10/11/t_gives_music_a_test_run/

|title=T gives music a test run

|first=Noah

|last=Bierman

|publisher=The Boston Globe

|date=October 11, 2007}} After the agency received an overwhelming number of e-mails — 1,800, mostly complaints — it decided to shelve the program on October 25.{{cite news

|url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2007/10/after_twoweek_t.html

|title=After two-week trial, T Radio is silenced

|first=Noah

|last=Bierman

|publisher=The Boston Globe

|date=October 25, 2007}}

On May 28, 2008, a westbound trolley on the Green Line D branch slammed into a stopped train between the Waban and Woodland stations shortly after 6 p.m. At least seven people were injured, and the operator of the moving train, Terrese Edmonds, 24, was killed.

Boston Globe, May 29, 2008, "Fatal Crash On Green Line", pp. A1, A18.

On May 8, 2009, two Green Line trolleys collided between Park Street and Government Center when the driver of one of them, 24-year-old Aiden Quinn, was text messaging his girlfriend.

[http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/19411812/detail.html "Trolley Driver Was Texting Girlfriend At Time Of Crash: 46 Injured In Green Line Crash"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222052240/http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/19411812/detail.html |date=February 22, 2012 }}, WCVB, Boston, May 8, 2009.

A rule banning cell phones for operators while driving their bus, train, or streetcar was put into place days later.{{cite news|title=Trolley Crash Inspires Tougher Cell Phone Policy: NTSB Still Investigating Crash|url=http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/19417457/detail.html|access-date=January 21, 2015|work=WCVB Boston|date=May 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120222052251/http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/19417457/detail.html|archive-date=February 22, 2012|url-status=dead}}

Immediately following the Boston Marathon bombing, the MBTA was partially shut down and National Guardsmen were deployed in various stations around the city.{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/102044 |title=Soldiers deploy to MBTA subway stations following the Boston Marathon bombing | Article |author=Spc. Michael V. Broughey, 65th Public Affairs Operations Center |work=Army.mil |date=April 24, 2013 |access-date=September 18, 2013}} During the ensuing manhunt for Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev the MBTA was fully shut down until the stay-inside request for Watertown, Newton, Waltham, Cambridge, Belmont, and Boston was lifted.{{cite web|author=Shirley Leung |url=http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/04/19/mbta-shutdown-during-hunt-for-marathon-bombing-suspect-irks-commuters/MyyrKqm5TCCNpCjmmIWMcK/story.html |title=MBTA shutdown during hunt for Marathon bombing suspect irks commuters |publisher=Boston Globe |work=Boston.com |date=April 19, 2013 |access-date=February 12, 2014}} During the manhunt, MBTA buses were used to ferry police around the city. After the suspect was caught the MBTA resumed normal service. The next day the MBTA began displaying "BOSTON STRONG" and "WE ARE ONE BOSTON" on buses and subway cars, in addition to the destination that is normally displayed.{{cite web |last=Bernstein |first=David S. |url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2013/04/22/mbta-boston-strong-message-buses/ |title=MBTA Buses Display 'Boston Strong' Messages |publisher=Metrocorp, Inc. |work=Bostonmagazine.com |date=April 22, 2013 |access-date=February 23, 2014 |quote=In a show of support for the families affected by the bombing, the T put up compassionate sayings. |archive-date=January 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116092013/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2013/04/22/mbta-boston-strong-message-buses/ |url-status=dead }}

{{Main article|Governorship of Charlie Baker}}

In February 2015, there was record breaking snowfall in Boston from the 2014–15 North American winter causing a partial shutdown and severe delays on all MBTA subway lines,{{cite news|title=Big MBTA Woes For Weather-Weary Commuters|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2015/02/03/boston-february-historic-snowfall|date=February 3, 2015|access-date=March 12, 2018}} and many long-term operational and financial problems with the entire MBTA system came under greater public attention.{{cite news|last=Lepiarz|first=Jack|title=With Widespread Delays, MBTA's Long-Standing Issues Come Into Focus|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2015/02/04/mbta-delays-maintenance-money|date=February 4, 2015|access-date=March 12, 2018}}{{cite news|title=Understanding The MBTA's Financial Problems|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2015/02/10/transit-woes|date=February 10, 2015|access-date=March 12, 2018}} Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker indicated at the time that he was reluctant to discuss the financing issues but that he would "have more to say about that in a couple of weeks."{{cite news|last=Khalid|first=Asma|title=Baker Reluctant To Discuss Additional Transportation Financing|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2015/02/05/baker-mbta-money|date=February 5, 2015|access-date=March 12, 2018}}

Following criticism of his emergency management and polling demonstrating public opinion in favor of his administration prioritizing resolving the MBTA's issues,{{cite news|last=Waxman|first=Simon|title=Amid The T's Crisis, Gov. Baker Is Showing His Management Style. It's Not Pretty.|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2015/02/12/charlie-baker-m-b-t-a-beverly-scott-simon-waxman|date=February 12, 2015|access-date=March 12, 2018}}{{cite news|last=Khalid|first=Asma|title=WBUR Poll: Bostonians Believe Fixing MBTA Should Be A 'Major Priority' For Gov. Baker|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2015/02/18/mbta-poll|date=February 18, 2015|access-date=March 12, 2018}} Baker announced the formation of a special advisory panel to diagnose the MBTA's problems and write a report recommending proposals to address them.{{cite news|last=Conway|first=Abby Elizabeth|title=Gov. Baker Creates Advisory Panel To 'Diagnose' MBTA Woes|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2015/02/20/watch-live-gov-baker-discusses-mbta-recovery-efforts|date=February 20, 2015|access-date=March 12, 2018}} The special advisory panel released its report that April.{{cite report|title=Back on Track: An Action Plan to Transform the MBTA|website=www.mass.gov|url=http://www.mass.gov/governor/docs/news/mbta-panel-report-04-08-2015.pdf|date=April 8, 2015|access-date=March 13, 2018|archive-date=August 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170830023201/http://www.mass.gov/governor/docs/news/mbta-panel-report-04-08-2015.pdf|url-status=dead}} The report was broadly critical of MBTA operational and financial management, noting that the system was in "severe financial distress", was "governed ineffectively", spent inefficiently, and had a high-absentee workplace culture.{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Matt|title=Task Force Sees 'Excessive Absenteeism' At MBTA|date=April 6, 2015|access-date=March 14, 2018|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2015/04/06/mbta-panel-operating-costs}} Among other reforms, the report recommended suspending the governance of the agency by the MassDOT Board of Directors; replacing it with a temporary Fiscal and Management Control Board directly appointed by the Governor and the leadership of the state legislature; expanding the existing MassDOT Board; and adding term limits.{{cite web|title=MBTA Panel Calls for Fiscal Control Board, Multi-Year Plans To Fix Broken System|website=www.mass.gov|url=http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2015/mbta-panel-releases-report-to-fix-broken-system.html|date=April 8, 2015|access-date=March 14, 2018|archive-date=March 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318134055/http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2015/mbta-panel-releases-report-to-fix-broken-system.html|url-status=dead}} The MassDOT Board resigned on Baker's request the following week.{{cite news|last=Salsberg|first=Bob|title=Embattled State Transportation Board Members Agree To Resign|publisher=WBUR|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/04/21/transportation-board-mbta-resignations|date=April 21, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018}} Legislation, which closely followed the report's recommendations,{{cite news|title=Report: Union Vows Fight In MBTA Overhaul Efforts|publisher=WBUR|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/05/28/report-union-vows-fight-in-mbta-overhaul-efforts|date=May 28, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018}} passed the following July{{cite news|last=Dumcius|first=Gintautas|title=Gov. Charlie Baker granted tools he says he needs to fix the troubled MBTA|website=MassLive.com|publisher=Advance Publications|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/07/transportation_reform_at_cente.html|date=July 8, 2015|access-date=March 14, 2018}} along with the appointment of the Fiscal and Management Control Board.{{cite news|last=Dumcius|first=Gintautas|title=Gov. Charlie Baker appoints MBTA fix-it panel|website=MassLive.com|publisher=Advance Publications|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/boston/index.ssf/2015/07/gov_charlie_baker_appoints_mbt.html|date=July 17, 2015|access-date=March 14, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Governor Baker Signs Fiscal Year 2016 Budget; Enacts MBTA Reforms|website=www.mass.gov|url=http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2016/governor-signs-fy2016-budget-enacts-mbta-reforms.html|date=July 17, 2015|access-date=March 14, 2018|archive-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315085309/http://www.mass.gov/governor/press-office/press-releases/fy2016/governor-signs-fy2016-budget-enacts-mbta-reforms.html|url-status=dead}} Baker also appointed a new MassDOT Board of Directors and proposed a five-year, $83 million winter resiliency plan.{{cite news|title=Gov. Baker Names Final Member To State Transportation Board|publisher=WBUR|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/05/12/gov-baker-names-final-member-to-state-transportation-board|date=May 12, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018}}{{cite news|last=Conway|first=Abby Elizabeth|title=Baker Proposes $83 Million In MBTA Upgrades To Avoid Another Winter Meltdown|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2015/06/04/baker-83-million-mbta-weather|date=June 4, 2015|access-date=March 14, 2018}}

After initially blaming the snowfall and a lack of public investment in an aging system for the crisis,{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2015/02/10/boston-mbta-suspended-winter-storm|title=MBTA To Reopen Wednesday; GM Ties Problems To Record Snowfall, Lack Of Investment|date=February 10, 2015|access-date=March 12, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott announced her resignation effective April 11.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/02/11/mbta-gm-scott-resigns|title=MBTA GM Beverly Scott Resigns|last=Swasey|first=Benjamin|date=February 11, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} MassDOT Chief Operating Officer and Highway Division Administrator Frank DePaola was appointed to fill Scott's position.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/02/25/depaola-interim-mbta-gm|title=Highway Chief DePaola Named Interim MBTA GM|last=Lepiarz|first=Jack|date=February 25, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} DePaola retired June 30, 2016, and was replaced with Brian Shortsleeve.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/04/25/mbta-commuter-rail-fare-evasion-estimates|title=MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola To Retire|last=Gorel|first=Amy|date=May 23, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} Shortsleeve swapped positions with Fiscal and Management Control Board vice chair Steve Poftak on June 30, 2017. Baker launched a search for a permanent MBTA General Manager in February 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/02/massachusetts_gov_charlie_bake_15.html|title=Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker launching search for 'turnaround CEO' for MBTA|last=Dumcius|first=Gintautas|date=February 16, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018|publisher=Advance Publications|website=MassLive.com}}

That August, the MBTA named former General Electric executive Luis Ramirez to be its new general manager.{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2017/08/15/new-mbta-gm|title=Former GE Executive Tapped To Lead MBTA|date=August 15, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} Ramirez's previous management experience, as well as the process for vetting him,{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2017/08/25/mbta-gm-search-contract|title=State's Contract Raises Questions About Background Check Of New MBTA Chief|last1=Chakrabarti|first1=Meghna|date=August 25, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018|publisher=WBUR|last2=McNerney|first2=Kathleen}} came under public scrutiny and criticism because of a twice-dismissed class action lawsuit during his tenure as CEO of the Dallas-based Global Power Equipment Group.{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2017/08/16/mbta-turnaround|title=Questions About Turnaround Of MBTA GM's Former Texas Firm|last1=Chakrabarti|first1=Meghna|date=August 16, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018|publisher=WBUR|last2=McNerney|first2=Kathleen}}{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2017/08/22/ramirez-global-power|title=The Incoming MBTA GM's Former Company May Face Bankruptcy|last1=Chakrabarti|first1=Meghna|date=August 22, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018|publisher=WBUR|last2=McNerney|first2=Kathleen}} Even so, Baker spoke in favor of Ramirez,{{cite news|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/boston/index.ssf/2017/08/massachusetts_gov_charlie_bake_2.html|title=Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker says he's 'quite confident' in new MBTA general manager despite Global Power lawsuit|last=Dumcius|first=Gintautas|date=August 22, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018|publisher=Advance Publications|website=MassLive.com}} who began his tenure as MBTA General Manager on September 12, 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2017/09/12/mbta-gm|title=New General Manager Takes Over At The MBTA|last1=Chakrabarti|first1=Meghna|date=September 12, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018|publisher=WBUR|last2=McNerney|first2=Kathleen}} Ramirez left the position effective January 1, 2019, and was replaced by Steve Poftak.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2018/12/11/mbta-general-manager-ramirez-poftak|title=Leadership Change At MBTA: GM Ramirez Is Out After 15 Months|last=Swasey|first=Benjamin|date=December 11, 2018|access-date=December 12, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} In June 2021, the Fiscal and Management Control Board was dissolved,{{cite news|last=DeCosta-Klipa|first=Nik|title=The MBTA's governing board is coming to an end — and so is its mouthful of a name|website=Boston.com|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2021/06/30/mbta-fmcb-rip/|date=June 30, 2021|access-date=May 11, 2022}} and the following month, Baker signed into law a supplemental budget bill that included a provision creating a permanent MBTA Board of Directors and Baker appointed the new board the following October.{{cite news|last=Doran|first=Sam|date=July 30, 2021|title=Gov. Charlie Baker signs off on mail-in voting restoration|work=The Sun|publisher=Digital First Media|url=https://www.lowellsun.com/2021/07/30/gov-charlie-baker-signs-off-on-mail-in-voting-restoration/|access-date=May 12, 2022}}{{cite web|title=Governor Baker Appoints Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Board of Directors|website=www.mass.gov|url=https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-appoints-massachusetts-bay-transportation-authority-board-of-directors|date=October 7, 2021|access-date=May 12, 2022|archive-date=May 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512231152/https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-appoints-massachusetts-bay-transportation-authority-board-of-directors|url-status=dead}}

Injuries involving a Green Line collision and Back Bay escalator malfunction, a dragging death on the Red Line, a fatal Commuter Rail collision with a car, and a death resulting from a fall through a rusty staircase attracted considerable public attention.[https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/07/21/metro/list-major-safety-incidents-involving-mbta-last-year/ A list of recent major safety incidents involving the MBTA]

In April 2022, the Federal Transit Administration announced in a letter to general manager Poftak that it would assume an increased safety oversight role over the MBTA and would conduct a safety management inspection.{{cite news|last=Dolven|first=Taylor|date=May 9, 2022|title='Extremely concerned' with MBTA safety, federal agency recently started inspection of transit system|work=The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/05/09/metro/extremely-concerned-with-t-safety-federal-agency-recently-started-inspection-transit-system/|access-date=May 12, 2022}}{{cite news|last=Dolven|first=Taylor|date=May 11, 2022|title=Federal inspectors are swooping in to examine the beleaguered T — and the scrutiny may not end there|work=The Boston Globe|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/05/11/metro/federal-inspectors-are-swooping-examine-beleaguered-t-scrutiny-may-not-end-there/|access-date=May 12, 2022}}

The FTA soon found subway dispatchers working 20-hour shifts due to a staffing shortage. The MBTA cut rush hour service frequency on the Red, Blue, and Orange Lines to allow dispatchers and subway supervisors adequate rest.[https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/06/17/metro/under-pressure-feds-staffing-mbta-reduce-weekday-service-blue-orange-red-lines/ Under pressure from regulators on staffing, MBTA to reduce weekday service on Blue, Orange, and Red lines] Federal inspectors also issued emergency directives concerning runaway trains in yards, and the backlog of track maintenance, which caused about 10% of the subway system to be under speed restriction.[https://mass.streetsblog.org/2022/06/16/federal-safety-inspectors-to-require-better-track-maintenance-stronger-oversight-at-the-t/ Federal Safety Inspectors to Require Better Track Maintenance, Stronger Oversight At the T] After an Orange Line train fire endangered hundreds of passengers and caused one to jump off a bridge into the Mystic River, the MBTA decided to shut down the entire Orange Line for 30 days to accelerate track work and re-open with all new subway cars.[https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/03/metro/baker-will-deliver-update-mbta-service-t-said-be-considering-orange-line-30-day-shutdown/ Decision to shut down entire Orange Line for a month of track work is a high-stakes gamble for the MBTA] In December 2022, the Orange Line was unable to meet even its reduced schedule when about half the trains were pulled from service without notice to passengers, due to problems with electrical arcing.[https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/12/30/metro/t-quietly-pulls-new-orange-line-trains-service-nearly-doubling-wait-times/ T quietly pulls new Orange Line trains from service, nearly doubling wait times]

The full FTA safety report released in August 2022[https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/31/metro/read-full-fta-report-mbta-safety-issues/ Read the full FTA report on MBTA safety issues] demanded an increase in staffing and retention of senior employees; collection of, prioritization of, and decision-making based on safety-related risks, failures, and precursors; clarification of safety communication-related procedures for frontline workers; oversight of failures to implement safety requirements; more resources for formal technical training; addressing radio dead zones; more independent quality assurance; more active and independent safety oversight by the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities.[https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/08/31/metro/here-are-24-findings-fta-made-its-scathing-report-t/ Here are the 24 findings the FTA made in its scathing report on the T]

In June 2015, the MBTA scaled back the schedule for a one-year pilot program to expand late-night service on weekends,{{cite news|last=Conway|first=Abby Elizabeth|title=Scaled-Back MBTA Late Night Service Begins This Weekend|publisher=WBUR|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/06/26/mbta-late-night-service-scaled-back|date=June 26, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018}} having expanded it that February.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/02/05/mbta-late-night-service-extended|title=MBTA Extends Late-Night Weekend Service Through June|last=Conway|first=Abby Elizabeth|date=February 5, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} The program was cut in March 2016.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/02/29/mbta-ending-late-night-weekend-service|title=MBTA Board Votes To End Late-Night Weekend Service By March 18|last1=Conway|first1=Abby Elizabeth|date=February 29, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR|last2=Enwemeka|first2=Zeninjor}} Despite this setback, improvements were made to service during this time. In October 2015, the MBTA announced that the Commuter Rail was adding nonstop trips during peak commute times along the Framingham/Worcester Line between Back Bay and Worcester Union Stations.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/10/07/mbta-announces-nonstop-commuter-rail-trips-between-worcester-and-boston|title=MBTA Announces Nonstop Commuter Rail Trips Between Worcester And Boston|last=Conway|first=Abby Elizabeth|date=October 7, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} In March 2016, the MBTA reopened Government Center Station after two years of construction upgrades.{{cite news| url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/03/21/mbta-government-center-reopens| title=MBTA's Government Center Station Reopens After 2 Years Of Construction | work=WBUR-FM|date=March 21, 2016}} In September 2016, a month after Baker signed into law a regulatory framework for ridesharing companies,{{cite news |url=https://www.masslive.com/politics/2016/08/gov_charlie_baker_signs_law_regulating_uber_and_lyft_in_massachusetts.html |title=Gov. Charlie Baker signs law regulating Uber and Lyft in Massachusetts |last=Dumcius |first=Gintautas|publisher=Advance Publications | website=MassLive.com|date=August 5, 2016}} Baker and the MBTA announced a pilot program partnering the MBTA's The Ride with Uber and Lyft to improve paratransit services for disabled riders,{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/all-things-considered/2016/09/16/mbta-uber-lyft-disability-partnership |title=MBTA Partners With Uber, Lyft To Improve Services For Riders With Disabilities|last=Jolicoeur |first=Lynn|date=September 16, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} which was expanded the following February to all users of The Ride.{{cite news|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/boston/index.ssf/2017/02/app-based_rides_opened_to_thou.html|title=App-based rides opened to thousands of MBTA paratransit users|last=Metzger|first=Andy|date=February 28, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018|publisher=Advance Publications|website=MassLive.com}}

In December 2016, the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board approved a proposal to replace all MBTA Red Line fleet vehicles by 2025.{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2016/12/12/mbta-red-line-fleet-replacement|title=MBTA To Replace Entire Red Line Fleet By 2025|date=December 12, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} In January 2017, the MBTA announced that the new Boston Landing Station on the Commuter Rail's Framingham/Worcester Line would open the following May.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2017/02/27/boston-landing-station-opens-may|title=Brighton Commuter Rail Station Set To Open In May|last=Metzger|first=Andy|date=February 27, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} A groundbreaking for the $38.5 million renovation of Ruggles Station, in Roxbury, occurred that August.{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2017/08/22/work-officially-gets-underway-on-ruggles-station-improvement-project|title=Work officially gets underway on Ruggles Station improvement project|last=Heyward|first=Jasmine|date=August 22, 2017|access-date=March 28, 2018|publisher=Boston Globe Media Partners|website=Boston.com}} In April 2017, the Federal Transit Administration approved a revised cost estimate for the Green Line Extension proposed by the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board and the MassDOT Board of Directors, allowing the project to be eligible for federal funding.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/05/09/green-line-extension-project-decision|title=Scaled-Down Plan For The Green Line Extension Will Move Forward|date=May 9, 2016|access-date=January 5, 2019|publisher=WBUR}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2017/04/04/glx-cost-estimate-approved|title=Feds Approve Revised Cost Estimate For Green Line Extension|date=April 4, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} The Green Line Extension broke ground in Somerville in June of the following year.{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2018/06/25/green-line-extension-groundbreaking|title=Officials Break Ground On Green Line Extension|date=June 25, 2018|access-date=June 28, 2018|publisher=WBUR}}

In April 2018, the MBTA began a one-year pilot program for early morning bus service along certain MBTA bus routes in Boston (which the Fiscal and Management Control Board voted to make permanent the following December),{{cite news|url=http://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/04/02/mbta-early-morning-bus-service-routes/|title=More Early Morning Bus Services To Be Offered By MBTA|date=April 2, 2018|access-date=April 15, 2018|publisher=WBZ-TV}}{{cite news|url=https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/t-notes-board-acts-as-if-ramirez-never-existed/|title=T notes: Board acts as if Ramirez never existed|last=Mohl|first=Bruce|date=December 17, 2018|work=CommonWealth Magazine|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=MassINC}} and the MBTA Silver Line began operating a route from Chelsea to South Station.{{cite news|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2018/04/21/mbta-silver-line-chelsea-boston/|title=MBTA Unveils New Silver Line Route From Chelsea To Boston|date=April 21, 2018|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBZ-TV}} In June 2018, the MBTA began a 3-month pilot of a summer weekend Commuter Rail fare of $10 for unlimited use, which was subsequently extended another three months.{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2018/05/22/mbta-summer-weekend-commuter-rail-ten-bucks|title=MBTA Pilots $10 Summer Weekend Commuter Rail Fare|date=May 22, 2018|access-date=June 15, 2018|publisher=WBUR}}{{cite news|url=https://www.telegram.com/news/20180906/commuter-rail-extends-10-weekend-fare-until-dec-9|title=Commuter rail extends $10 weekend fare until Dec. 9|last=Moulton|first=Cyrus|date=September 6, 2018|work=Telegram & Gazette|access-date=October 10, 2018|publisher=GateHouse Media}} Also in June 2018, the MBTA announced parking fee changes based on parking lot usage,{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2018/06/19/mbta-raising-prices-at-some-garages-dropping-fees-at-underused-lots|title=MBTA Raising Prices At Some Garages, Dropping Fees At Underused Lots|last=Metzger|first=Andy|date=June 19, 2018|access-date=October 10, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} and the MBTA released estimates showing that the proposed North–South Rail Link would cost between $12.3 billion and $21.5 billion.{{cite news|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2018/06/18/north-south-rail-link-cost-estimate|title=MBTA Estimate: North-South Rail Link Would Cost At Least $12.3B|last=Metzger|first=Andy|date=June 18, 2018|access-date=June 28, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} In January 2019, following a one-month hiatus, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak announced that the Federal Transit Administration approved a six-month extension of the Commuter Rail weekend fare pilot beginning that month,{{cite news|last=Mohl|first=Bruce|title=T to relaunch $10 weekend commuter rail fare|date=January 2, 2019|work=CommonWealth Magazine|publisher=MassINC|url=https://commonwealthmagazine.org/transportation/t-to-relaunch-10-weekend-commuter-rail-fare/|access-date=April 13, 2019}} which the Fiscal and Management Control Board voted to make permanent the following March.{{cite news|last=DiFazio|first=Joe|title=Silver lining to MBTA fare hike: $10 weekend commuter rail pass made permanent|work=The Patriot Ledger|publisher=GateHouse Media|url=https://www.patriotledger.com/news/20190314/silver-lining-to-mbta-fare-hike-10-weekend-commuter-rail-pass-made-permanent|date=March 14, 2019|access-date=July 2, 2019}}

In August 2015, MBTA officials released revised estimates of the MBTA's State-of-Good-Repair backlog upwards to $7.3 billion.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/08/31/mbta-maintenance-backlog|title=MBTA's Repair Backlog Climbs Above $7 Billion|last=Salsberg|first=Bob|date=August 31, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} While MBTA officials announced the following month that advertising revenue was running 26 percent higher that year than at the same time the previous year,{{cite news|title=T Says Advertising Dollars On Rise In 2015|publisher=WBUR|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/09/12/mbta-advertising-dollars-rise|date=September 12, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018}} the Fiscal and Management Control Board released its first report. The board report showed that the MBTA's operating expenses and debt service were growing nearly three times the rate of revenue growth—being projected to grow from a projected $170 million in fiscal year 2016 to a projected $427 million by fiscal year 2020 if left unaddressed—and that operator absences accounted for 69 percent of the 34,347 dropped bus runs and subway trips between January and August of that year.{{cite news|last=Conway|first=Abby Elizabeth|title=MBTA Control Board's 1st Report Paints 'A Bleak Picture'|publisher=WBUR|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/09/22/mbta-control-boards-first-report|date=September 22, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018}}{{cite news|last=Conway|first=Abby Elizabeth|title=MBTA's Workforce Policies 'In A State Of Disrepair,' Control Board Member Says|publisher=WBUR|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2015/09/30/mbta-workforce-problems|date=September 30, 2015|access-date=December 17, 2018}} The Fiscal and Management Control Board voted to increase fares across the system by an average of 9.3 percent that March.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/03/07/mbta-control-board-fare-hike-vote|title=MBTA Board OKs Fare Hikes Averaging 9.3 Percent|date=March 7, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} However, according to an April 2016 estimate, the agency was losing $42 million per year due to fare evasion (amounting to approximately one-fourth of the agency's $170 million operating budget deficit in fiscal year 2016).{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/04/25/mbta-commuter-rail-fare-evasion-estimates|title=Officials Estimate MBTA Loses Up To $42M A Year From Fare Evasion|date=April 25, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} In June 2016, the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board voted unanimously to indefinitely extend a pilot program of discounted passes for low-income youths and to increase the maximum age for participation in the program to 25.{{cite news|last=Metzger|first=Andy|title=MBTA Opening Youth Pass Discount Program To Young Adults|publisher=WBUR|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/06/06/mbta-young-adults|date=June 6, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2018}}

In July 2016, after the Fiscal and Management Control Board completed its first year, Baker addressed the status of MBTA operations and financial management. There was significant progress, including a leveling of the MBTA operating expense budget between the 2015 and 2016 fiscal years (after a 5 percent per year increase over the previous 15 years), a 25 percent decline in operator absenteeism, a 30 percent decline in overtime expenses, a one-third decline in dropped bus runs, and improvements to system infrastructure.{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Steve|title=MBTA Is Still In 'Very Tough Shape,' Baker Says One Year Into Control Board's Tenure|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2016/07/20/mbta-control-board-one-year|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2018}} However, at the same time, Baker noted that the MBTA was "still in very tough shape", reiterating concerns about the MBTA pension system,{{cite news|last1=Brooks|first1=Anthony|last2=Bruzek|first2=Alison|title=Can The MBTA Pension Fund Be Saved?|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/radioboston/2016/07/05/mbta-pension-fund|date=July 5, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2018}} the security of the MBTA's cash-handling operations,{{cite news|last=Metzger|first=Andy|title=Consultant Report Finds Security Lapses At MBTA's 'Money Room'|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2016/07/05/report-mbta-money-room|date=July 5, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2018}} need for reform to the MBTA's procurement and contracting system, and improvements to its infrastructure maintenance system highlighted in the advisory panel report.{{cite web|title=Governor Baker Addresses Progress and Future of MBTA Reforms as Fiscal and Management Control Board Completes First Year|website=www.mass.gov|url=https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-baker-addresses-progress-and-future-of-mbta-reforms-as-fiscal-and-management-control|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=March 27, 2018}} Also in July 2016, Baker signed into law a bill capping MBTA fare increases to 7 percent once every two years.{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Matt|title=New Law Means MBTA Fares Can't Go Up More Than 7 Percent Once Every 2 Years|publisher=WBUR|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/07/27/mbta-fare-cap-baker|date=July 27, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2018}}

In October 2016, the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board voted to outsource the MBTA's cash-handling operations to the security company Brink's on a $18.7 million, five-year contract, a decision opposed by unions and elected officials.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/10/06/mbta-union-money-room-arrests|title=MBTA Board Votes To Privatize 'Money Room'; Union Officials Arrested In Protest|date=October 6, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/10/12/rally-against-mbta-privatization|title=Union Officials And Elected Democrats Rally Against MBTA Privatization|last=Metzger|first=Andy|date=October 6, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} The MBTA also extended its existing contract with the Boston Carmen's Union in December 2016 through 2021 with new wage structures that would reduce the MBTA's operating budget by $80 million over the subsequent four years.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2016/12/19/mbta-carmens-union-new-contract|title=MBTA And Carmen's Union Agree To Contract Running Through 2021|last=Young|first=Colin A.|date=December 19, 2016|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} The following month, the agency outsourced its warehousing and parts-delivery operations to an external vendor for $28.4 million on a five-year contract.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2017/01/09/mbta-privatization-warehousing-parts|title=MBTA Board OKs Privatization Of Warehousing And Parts-Delivery Operations|last=Young|first=Colin A.|date=January 9, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR}}

In April 2017, the Fiscal and Management Control Board approved a $1.98 billion budget which reduced the MBTA operating budget deficit from $42 million to $30 million.{{cite news|last=Dumcius|first=Gintautas|title=MBTA oversight board approves $1.9 billion budget for transit agency, potential service changes ahead|website=MassLive.com|publisher=Advance Publications|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/mbta_oversight_board_approves.html|date=April 13, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018}} The following month, Baker approved the Fiscal and Management Control Board's request to exercise the two-year extension option to continue its governance of the MBTA allowed under the law that authorized its formation.{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Matt|title=Departure Triggers Overhaul Of MBTA Management|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2017/05/25/poftak-mbta-interm-gm|date=May 25, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018}} In July 2017, interim MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said that the MBTA would accelerate its capital spending from an average of $437 million (excluding expansion projects) in the previous five years to $702 million for fiscal year 2019.{{cite news|last=Dumcius|first=Gintautas|title=MBTA, once 'devouring itself,' is on the mend but still needs work, Massachusetts transportation officials say|website=MassLive.com|publisher=Advance Publications|url=http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/07/mbta_once_devouring_itself_is.html|date=July 24, 2017|access-date=March 27, 2018}} Simultaneously, Poftak also noted that the MBTA was "saving money" by outsourcing "ancillary" operations to vendors.{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Steve|title=MBTA Officials Say Fiscal And Management Changes Are Producing Benefits|publisher=WBUR|url=http://www.wbur.org/news/2017/07/24/mbta-changes-update|date=July 24, 2017|access-date=March 28, 2018}}

In November 2017, the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board voted to award a 13-year contract for $723 million to the Cubic Corporation to design, implement, and operate a new fare collection system for the MBTA by 2020.{{cite news|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2017/11/20/charliecards-may-be-on-their-way-out|title=MBTA Awards $723M Contract For Overhaul Of Fare Collection|last=Salsberg|first=Bob|date=November 20, 2017|access-date=December 18, 2018|publisher=WBUR}} In February 2018, MBTA General Manager Luis Ramirez announced to the Fiscal and Management Control Board that the MBTA would face a $111 million operating budget deficit for fiscal year 2019.{{cite news|last=Metzger|first=Andy|title=MBTA Faces $111 Million Budget Gap|publisher=WGBH|url=https://news.wgbh.org/2018/02/12/local-news/mbta-faces-111-million-budget-gap|date=February 12, 2018|access-date=March 28, 2018}} However, that August, MBTA officials announced that the agency had finished the 2018 fiscal year with a balanced operating budget for the first time in a decade.{{cite news|last=Dumcius|first=Gintautas|title=For the first time in 10 years, the MBTA balanced its operating budget|website=MassLive.com|publisher=Advance Publications|url=https://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2018/08/for_the_first_time_in_10_years.html|date=August 13, 2018|access-date=October 10, 2018}}

{{further|COVID-19 pandemic in Massachusetts}}

In February 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact Massachusetts. When the stay-at-home advisory was issued the following month, businesses closed or sent staff to work from home, and people were advised to avoid riding public transit unless necessary. At the lowest point, MBTA ridership dropped about 78% on buses, 92% on the subway, on 71% paratransit, and 97% on commuter rail.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/06/16/mbta-ridership-slowly-increasing|title=MBTA Ridership Slowly Increasing After Record Lows|website=www.wbur.org|date=June 16, 2020 }} Bus and subway ran on a modified Saturday schedule; commuter rail was on a reduced schedule and ferries were shut down completely. To facilitate social distancing from drivers, buses started running fare-free with rear-door-only boarding, passengers were required to wear face masks (except small children and people with relevant medical conditions), and the agency began frequently sanitizing vehicles and stations. Driver availability was limited as some employees contracted the virus. The T received $827 million in federal aid for FY2020 and FY2021 to make up for increased costs and lost revenue.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbur.org/bostonomix/2020/06/15/mbta-budget-deficit-coronavirus|title=MBTA Faces 'Existential' Budget Crisis Amid Pandemic, According To New Report|website=www.wbur.org|date=June 15, 2020 }}

In June, the MBTA announced that commuter rail tickets and passes valid as of March 10 would be valid for 90 days, starting on June 22. It also made various fare changes to encourage riders to shift from potentially crowded bus or subway, including discounted ten-ride tickets, half-price tickets for youth, and Zone 1A fares extended to Lynn and River Works stations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wbur.org/news/2020/06/16/mbta-flex-pass-commuter-rail|title=MBTA Eyes Semi-Regular Commuter Rail Customers With New Flex Pass|website=www.wbur.org|date=June 16, 2020 }}

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ridership on the MBTA has declined by 87% which has forced Massachusetts legislators and the MBTA to potentially implement a plan that would eliminate weekend commuter rail services and shut it down after 9 p.m. on weeknights, eliminate 25 bus routes, stop subway and bus services at midnight, among other changes to scale back services. This plan, if implemented through a vote by the Fiscal and Management Control Board, would save Massachusetts more than $130 million. The loss in services could potentially mean that up to 1,700 riders will not be able to take the bus and 733 riders will not be able to take the train. Supporters of this plan believe that this is the best plan as the majority of ridership has decreased due to the pandemic and it is not feasible to continue providing services that would not be used, especially if there are alternatives to using public transportation, such as personal vehicles. Through saving money by cutting services, the city is planning on using the money for services once the pandemic has ended.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-09|title=MBTA Outlines Plan for Widespread Service Cuts in 2021|url=https://patch.com/massachusetts/boston/struggling-mbta-plans-deep-service-cuts-across-board|access-date=2020-12-01|website=Boston, MA Patch|language=en}} Supporters claim that reduced services will still be sufficient for those who still rely on public transport during the pandemic. Changes would not be implemented right away, rather, they could slowly be introduced, with the earliest changes coming in January 2021 and other changes coming as late as summer 2021. This allows the MBTA to adjust service needs based on ridership needs.{{Cite web|title=MBTA Releases Proposed Service Changes to Match New Ridership Patterns {{!}} News {{!}} MBTA|url=https://www.mbta.com/news/2020-11-09/mbta-releases-proposed-service-changes-match-new-ridership-patterns|access-date=2020-12-01|website=www.mbta.com}} On the other hand, opponents argue that by reducing services, it will be harder for riders, who are typically low-income or people of color to get to essential jobs. Riders will be forced to find other ways of transportation, which could mean using personal vehicles, leading to an increase in dependence on the automobility paradigm. Opponents argue that public transportation should be treated as a public good, which means asking wealthier people and corporations to pay their share for the upkeep of transportation as a way to achieve mobility justice.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-26|title=Transit activists protest MBTA service cuts|url=https://www.baystatebanner.com/2020/11/26/transit-activists-protest-mbta-service-cuts/|access-date=2020-12-01|website=The Bay State Banner}}

{{Clear}}

File:1880 Boston horse railroads map.jpg|Boston in 1880, highlighting horse railroads

File:1925 BERy system map.jpg|1925 Boston Elevated Railway map

File:1940 Boston streetcar lines.png|Boston Elevated Railway streetcar lines in 1940. Lighter lines were abandoned earlier; the darkest ones still existed in 1969.

File:1953 Boston streetcar lines.png|Streetcar lines remaining in Boston in 1953.

File:1967 MBTA subway map.jpg|Subway map from 1967 — 1969

File:1973 MBTA rapid transit map card.jpg|Subway map from 1973

File:1975 MBTA commuter rail map.jpg|MBTA Commuter Rail service in 1975.

File:MBTA Boston subway map.png|Geographically accurate MBTA map (2011)

{{div col|colwidth=20em|small=yes}}

• Atlantic Avenue Elevated
• Boston Elevated Railway
• Boston Street Railway Association
• Causeway Street Elevated
• Charlestown Elevated
• Green Line (MBTA)
• Lechmere Viaduct
• MBTA kickback schemes
• Trolleybuses in Greater Boston
• Washington Street Elevated

{{div col end}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• Belcher, Jonathan, [https://web.archive.org/web/20071112141053/http://members.aol.com/eddanamta/abandoned/abanstas.html "Remnants of Abandoned Stations, Tunnels, and Station Entrances found on the MBTA"] (archived 2007)
• {{cite news |last=Bierman |first=Noah |date=December 26, 2009 |title=Transit archeology: Tour of abandoned subway network offers a glimpse of how the T was built |url=http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/12/26/tour_of_abandoned_subway__network__offers_a_glimpse_of_how_the_t_was_built/ |newspaper=The Boston Globe}}
• {{cite book|last=Cheape|first=Charles W.|title=Moving the masses : urban public transport in New York, Boston and Philadelphia, 1880-1912|year=1980|publisher=Harvard University Press|location=Cambridge, Mass.|isbn=0-674-58827-4|url=https://archive.org/details/movingmassesurba00chea|url-access=registration}}
• {{cite book|last=Cheney|first=Frank|title=When Boston rode the El|year=2000|publisher=Arcadia|location=Charleston, SC|isbn=978-0-7385-0462-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FXsLiV1aNRUC|author2=Sammarco, Anthony Mitchell}}
• Cheney, Frank. (2002) [https://books.google.com/books?id=YIW6bOW98-EC Boston's Red Line: Bridging the Charles from Alewife to Braintree], Arcadia Publishing. {{ISBN|978-0738510477}}
• {{cite book |last=Cudahy |first=Brian J. |title=Change at Park Street Under; the story of Boston's subways |year=1972 |publisher=S. Greene Press |location=Brattleboro, Vermont |isbn=978-0828901734 |url=https://archive.org/details/changeatparkstre00cuda }}
• {{cite book |last=McKendry |first=Joe |title=Beneath the streets of Boston: Building America's first subway |year=2006 |publisher=David R. Godine |location=Boston |isbn=978-1567922844}}
• {{cite book |last=Most |first=Doug |title=The race underground : Boston, New York, and the incredible rivalry that built America's first subway |year=2014 |publisher=St. Martin’s Press |location=New York |isbn=978-0312591328 |url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780312591328 }}

{{Commons category|Public transport maps of Boston}}

• [http://www.mbta.com/about_the_mbta/history/ History of the MBTA] (official)
• [https://www.nycsubway.org/wiki/Boston,_Massachusetts nycsubway.org — Boston, Massachusetts], an overview of rail transit in Boston back through the 1800s
• [http://world.nycsubway.org/us/boston/main_line_el.html Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation of Boston Elevated Railway Company's Main Line Elevated (Former Orange Line)]
• [http://www.thebsra.org/ Boston Street Railway Association]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071230004432/http://members.aol.com/netransit/ The New England Transportation Site] (archived 2007)
• [https://www.vanshnookenraggen.com/_index/2012/04/an-animated-history-of-the-mbta/ Vanshnookenraggen's "An Animated History of the MBTA"]

{{Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority}}

Category:Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

MBTA