EZRide Shuttle Changes

Effective August 9, 2010

For Immediate Release and Distribution


CRTMA is pleased to announce the merger of EZRide Shuttle service with MIT’s NorthWest Shuttle, effective with the start of Morning service on Monday, August 9, 2010. The resulting service will be known as EZRide, and MIT will discontinue its Northwest service. EZRide will continue to operate seven (7) buses during the morning and evening peak commute hours, roughly 6:00-11:00 AM and 3:00-8:00 PM, with service every 10 minutes.

New Midday Service:

The new EZRide will include a midday loop between Kendall Square and a western terminus at MIT’s Sidney Pacific housing from approximately 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM, running every 20 minutes. There will be no midday service between Kendall Square and North Station. EZRide midday will be open to the public under the existing EZRide fare structure (free to affiliates of sponsor institutions with pass/ID, or for a cash fare for the general public).

Relocated Kendall Square stops:

Route and stops remain the same between North Station and Kendall Square for the morning and evening peak commute hours, with one significant change. EZRide stops will now be located in front of The MIT Press Building, 292 Main Street (E38) just outside the MBTA Red Line Inbound headhouse. This change will enable EZRide to provide service to MIT Sloan School. Additional Kendall area stops will be at Amherst & Wadsworth Streets, and on Ames St. between Amherst St. and Main St.

For North Station Commuters, the Morning Outbound and Evening Inbound routes remain largely the same:

If you are an EZRide North Station bound passenger, you will board and exit at the same stops as you currently board and exit at both ends of the day, with the exception of the stop relocation and additional stops at Kendall Square.

Morning Inbound and Evening Outbound changed to accommodate NorthWest Shuttle riders:

The Morning Inbound route from Cambridgeport (Erie Street), operates via Pacific St., Albany St., and Vassar St. before reaching Kendall Square. Stops will be made at all MIT Northwest Campus residences, Vassar and Mass. Ave., and the Stata Center (Vassar and Main). The Evening Outbound service will operate from Kendall to Cambridgeport via Memorial Drive, 77 Mass. Ave., Albany St. and Pacific St.

Existing EZRide customers should note that while the outbound schedules will be largely unchanged, inbound service will now depart Cambridgeport (Erie St.), every 10 minutes on the 10's, instead of on the 6’s. Inbound shuttles will depart Kendall Square on the 2's during morning and evening service.
The changes may result in slightly longer rides, or somewhat longer walks to new bus stops, for EZRide and Northwest patrons who currently use either service in the non-peak direction.

If you have any questions or require more information regarding the mergers contact Jim Gascoigne of CRTMA at (617) 324-6119 or Jim@charlesrivertma.org.

Lechmere Station relocation presentation and public discussion

As the MBTA begins to move forward with plans to relocate Lechmere Station as part of its Green Line expansion, many residents are concerned about the impact the relocation will have on the East Cambridge area as well as the preservation of the historic buildings that make up the current station.

The East Cambridge Planning Team, which is comprised of concerned citizens of the Cambridge and Somerville area, is hosting a presentation and public discussion on the subject of the Lechmere relocation on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the East End House on 105 Spring Street in Cambridge. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss how to ensure that the new Lechmere Station does the best job possible of serving as a hub into the neighborhood. Specific topics will include pedestrian crossings of O'Brien Highway, preservation of current buildings, improving the new station's entrances and lobbies, and intregrating the station into the future North Point Street Grid.

Find a farmer's market in your area

The Boston Globe's website has a really neat tool for locating farmers' markets in your area. The tool allows you to search for markets by town or by the name of the market.

Remember, farmers' markets are a great way to buy locally-grown (meaning sustainable) produce that is fresh. The markets also help support local farmers because the farmers don't have to give a bunch of their profit to distributors like they would have to if they sold their goods in supermarkets. If your dinner plans call for some fruits and/or veggies, search for a market that's on your commute home and give it a try.

City releases more details of upcoming bike share program

As Boston city officials continue to work on plans for the nation's first bike share program that is set to begin next spring or summer, more details of the program are emerging.

For those who are not familiar with municipal bike share programs, the way they work is pretty simple. The city will place bike "stations" around the city (mostly at public transit stops and other attractions). Anyone who wants to rent a bike can pay to unlock it and rent it for a set amount of time. When the rider reaches their destination, they drop off the bike at another station to lock it back up.

As far as the new details, here's a quick run down. The city has said it plans to have 1,000 to 3,000 bikes available at stations around the area. The stations will be 300 to 400 yards apart.

Under one proposal, bikes could be rented for $2.50 for a single rental or $40 for a yearly membership. A rental would be good for 30 minutes, and the rider would have to pay an additional fee after 30 minutes. The reason for this is the fact that, in other cities, the average bike sharing trip is less than 30 minutes long.

For more information on the bike sharing program, check out this story from The Globe.

Cambridge bio tech company unveils new fuel making process

Today, Joule Biotechnologies, a Cambridge-based start up, announced that it has created a fuel that is literally made from sunlight.

The fuel, dubbed SolarFuel, is created in a process called helioculture, where carbon dioxide and sunlight are combined in a device that resembles a solar panel. Inside the device, engineered organisms (the company won't say what they are for proprietary reasons) absorb the sunlight and carbon dioxide. The organisms will then omit a combination of fuel ethanol, petroleum-derived compounds, and hydrocarbons that, in theory, can be used to fuel things.

While this process certainly is revolutionary, the big question (as with all biofuels) will be whether it can be produced efficiently in mass quantities. For more info on SolarFuel, check out this story from The Globe.

Funding for transit projects remains on shaky ground

The Globe is reporting today that MBTA and state administrators are tempering expectations on many public transportation projects, including the legally-mandated Green Line extension to Somerville and Medford.

Because of the MBTA's growing debt issues as well as current economic conditions, MBTA administrators are rethinking a number of other proposed projects, including a downtown Silver Line bus tunnel and the Blue Line extension to Lynn. Because the projects other than the Green Line extension are not legally-mandated, they will likely be pushed aside until the MBTA's financial situation improves.

Clean air regulations require the MBTA to extend the Green Line to Union Square and Tufts University by 2014. There have been proposals to extend the line even further, to Route 16, but extending the line that far is not legally required, and, therefore, not likely to happen in the first wave of the extension.

Hopefully, both the state and MBTA's financial situation improves enough where they can fund all of the worthwhile transit projects in a timely manner because public transportation goes along way towards reducing congestion, pollution, and the harmful effects of global warming.

MBTA releases more fare increase info

The MBTA has posted a booklet on its website detailing the fare increases that the transit agency has proposed. The booklet lists what the new fares will be for all services if the proposal is adopted. It also lists the dates for all rider workshops as well as the public meeting that is scheduled for August 27.

One thing to note is that while the MBTA is pushing the fare increase option, it is also listing service cutbacks (or a combination of both) as an option. However, officials at the agency have said that service cuts alone would not be enough to meet the budget deficit. If you think the service cuts would be a better option than increasing fares, then attending one of the rider workshops and/or the public meeting would be a good idea.

If the fare increases have you thinking about changing the way you commute to work, remember that there are other cost-effective and environmentally-friendly ways to commute to work. While we still believe that transit is a great way to commute to work, carpooling is also a great option. Remember to register in our ridematching database to see if there are other commuters that match your commuting patterns. The more people we have in the system, the more likely it is for everyone to find a good match. If you have any questions about your commuting options, don't hesistate to contact your Transportation Coordinator.

Gas prices tally largest one-week drop of 2009

The good news continues in regards to gas prices. AAA New England's survey of gas prices in the area revealed that prices are down for the third consecutive week. Furthermore, the three-cent drop from last week to this week is the biggest decrease of 2009.

AAA's July 13 survey found that the average price for a gallon of unleaded fuel in New England was $2.569. While this is about four cents above the national average, the current prices are more than $1.50 per gallon less than they were this week in 2008.

Despite the fact that gas prices are dropping, you can still save a good chunk of change by carpooling or taking transit to work. Your employer offers you incentives to use these methods to commute, and if you'd like more info on how you can save money on your commute, don't hesitate to contact your company's Transportation Coordinator.

T fares set to increase by almost 20 percent

T riders can expect the cost of their trips on public transit to increase by as much as 20 percent based on a proposal released today by MBTA administrators.

The proposal calls for a series of 13 public meetings where riders can voice their concerns about the increase before the proposal is voted on the by the MBTA's Board of Directors sometime in August. The increase is necessary because of the long-term debt problems facing the T, officials said. For every dollar that the agency collects in fees, 30 cents goes towards its debt.

Single rides on subway lines and buses will increase by either 30 to 50 cents. Monthly subway and bus passes will increase $10, and commuter rail passes will go up by as much as $31, depending on the zone the rider travels in.

While any increase is certainly bad news, the good news is that your employer offers benefits and incentives to encourage you to take the T to work and may even subsidize part or all of your monthly pass expenses. If you have any questions about what commuter benefits are available to you, click here for the contact info for your company's Transportation Coordinator.

Despite other tax increases, a gas tax hike could be coming

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed the commonwealth's 2010 fiscal year budget Monday that implemented numerous tax hikes, including increases in the sales, meals, hotel, and alcohol taxes.

However, there may be more bad news coming on taxes, as the governor hinted that the gas tax increase he has been pushing for may still happen. “We haven’t done that yet. We haven’t finished that work yet,’’ Patrick told The Globe, when asked if he would keep pushing for a gas tax. “And whether that’s the gas tax or something else, we’re going to have to face those issues, I think sooner rather than later.’’

An increase in the gas tax would add yet another item to the growing list of reasons to carpool, take transit, or bicycle/walk to work. Your company offers incentives and benefits to help you use these methods to commute to work. Send us an e-mail if you have any questions about them.

Bad news about T fares

Riders of the T can expect to see a 15 to 20 percent fare increase this fall, according to officials in the Patrick administration.

T officials said it is possible that they will issue service cuts that would decrease the need for an increase but probably not entirely eliminate it.

After the T announces any increases in fares or service cuts, they will conduct legally-required meetings where people will be able to discuss their opinions with T officials.

While this certainly isn't good news, hopefully T officials can find a way to balance the fare increase with service cuts that won't affect too many people's schedule to avoid forcing everyone to pay a lot more money to use transit.

For more info on the potential fare increases, check out this story from The Globe.

Fast Lane use increases on Pike

More drivers on the Pike are taking advantage of the convenience of electronic toll transponders since the Turnpike Authority began offering the transponders for free in February.

The Herald reported that almost 7 out of 10 people that were tolled on Memorial Day were done so via a transponder. While overall tolls were up one percent from last year for the day, electronic tolls were up 11 percent.

Pike officials have reported that about 95,000 transponders have been given out since February. If you haven't picked yours up yet, there's little reason not to do so. The transponders will save you a quarter or more at each tolling booth, and you won't have to wait in the cash-only lines.

To get a transponder, go to the Mass Pike's website, or stop by the Auburn, Natick, or East Boston service centers through the week to pick one up in person.

15 ways to eat more local food

With farmers' markets set to open around the Greater Boston area (including the one in Kendall Square), it's a good time to start thinking about eating locally-grown food. Besides farmers' markets, there are a number of ways to get your hands on this type of food, including growing it yourself, community gardens, and community-supported agriculture agreements.

The Daily Green has put together a slide show with 15 ways you can pick up locally-grown food to feed to your families.

Number of speeding tickets on Pike increases

For those of you who drive over the speed limit on the Mass Pike (and most of us do), it may be wise for you to slow down a little.

The Herald reported today that speeding tickets on the Pike between January and March of this year increased by 23 percent from the same period last year. The fines start at $100 and go up from there, so these tickets can be very costly.

At the current rate, there will be more than 48,000 tickets written this year—over 130 per day.

State lawmakers and Pike drivers that the Herald talked to were quick to point out that this is likely just a method for increasing revenue for the state. While it's clear the increase is likely more related to the state's budget crisis than public safety, drivers still should be aware that if they speed on the Pike, there is a stronger likelihood they will be ticketed this year than in the past.

Toll-free holidays may be coming

A report released today on the massive, miles-long traffic jams over Easter weekend on the Mass Pike suggested that Pike officials implement a toll-free policy for parts or all of the day during holidays.

The report also suggested reversing the change in overtime policy that left some toll booths understaffed and adjusting the "wave-through" policy that requires toll takers to get the approval of the executive director of the Pike Authority before allowing drivers to pass through the tolls without stopping during traffic jams.

Pike officials have yet to comment on whether the suggestions of the report will be implemented, but hopefully some of them will be so another traffic mess, such as the one seen over Easter weekend, can be avoided.

Mass Bay Commuter Rail newsletter

Here is the spring issue of the Mass Bay Commuter Rail newsletter. The newsletter contains a variety of information related to the train system in Metro Boston. Check it out for info on schedule changes and some services that are being added.

Pike drivers receive erroneous toll tickets

Since April 30, some Pike drivers are receiving paper tickets with toll rates that seem to match the increases that were expected to go in place in May but were canceled before they took affect.

One driver told The Globe that a toll of $4.10 was printed on his ticket instead of the usual $3.85. However, Pike officials insist that drivers are not actually being overcharged and that the tickets just contain a typographical error. When the toll worker runs the magnetic strip through the machine, it should tell the driver to pay the correct amount, not the erroneous amount.

With that said, I'd encourage everyone who receives these tickets on the Pike to make sure they pay what the toll both operator and the screen at the booth tells them, not what is printed on the ticket. A quarter here and a quarter there would really add up over weeks and months of commuting.

For more info on these ticket errors, check out this story from The Globe.

Cyclists kick off Bay State Bike Week

Fifty or so bicyclists gathered in Christopher Columbus Park in the North End to celebrate the beginning of Bay State Bike Week.

Many bicyclists across the street have pledged to ride 250,000 combined miles this week to show politicians that they are serious about their demands for more bike lanes, racks, and other improvements.

There are many events across the Greater Boston area scheduled to promote bicycling. For more information on bike week events, check out this page of our website. Also, check out this story from The Globe on the events today in Christopher Columbus Park that marked the beginning of bike week.

MBTA steps up cleaning to prevent spread of swine flu

In the wake of Vice President Biden's misguided comments urging people to avoid subways, the MBTA says its increasing its cleaning of subway cars, buses, and public areas.

“The MBTA has directed its cleaning crews to give special attention to places such as seats, hand rails on escalators, and grab bars on subway cars and buses,” T General Manager Daniel Grabauskas told The Herald in an e-mail. “People should not hesitate in going about their daily activities while also keeping themselves informed about how to stay healthy.”

Biden later apologized for the comments and said that he meant to say that if you are sick, you shouldn't travel. But, as The Herald found out, some people are still fearful of taking the subway because of the potential flu outbreak.

Hopefully, the MBTA's ramped up cleaning program will make people feel safer about using public transit to get around the Greater Boston area.

For more info on the MBTA cleaning program, check out this story from The Herald.

Tree Story: Mellisa Z.

Mellisa Z., from Forma Theraputics in Cambridge, won a tree at one of our Earth Day commuter benefit promotions.

This is what she had to share:

"When I first saw this Dwarf Alberta Spruce, I was signing up for a raffle and learning about the Commuter Benefit Programs that Transactions Associates provide for green-commuting at my work. I looked at it's beautiful young, springy needles, and I actually said out loud, "I'm gonna win you, little buddy!" Low and behold, two hours later, Jax Adele from T.A. brought me my little green friend; synchronicity! My boyfriend Dan and I planted this special tree on Arbor Day at Endicott Park in Danvers, a beautiful garden and nature reserve. I'm sure my spruce will be happy there, as we were happy to help it grow! :)"