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Transportation First is a Chamber initiative to address the transportation crisis in Massachusetts.

Creating a world class transportation system requires policymakers, employers, and residents to recognize that transportation is a public good and should be treated as such urgently. By putting transportation first, the Commonwealth will be in a better position to solve other policy issues which are barriers to the region’s continued growth and prosperity like housing, climate decarbonization and adaption, economic development, economic opportunity, and education access. 

The moment calls for a long-term and sustainable mobility funding plan, systemic reform, and a vision for strategic super-investments. This will result in business and job growth across the Commonwealth, timelier and more affordable commutes, more accessible and equitable educational opportunities, lower emissions, livable and more affordable neighborhoods, and inclusive economic development.

Questions? Contact us.

Christopher
Christopher Eicher

Vice President, Government Relations

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Email Christopher

We are on a collision course and will soon be unable to fund transportation:

Imminent Fiscal Cliff

The MBTA’s budget picture is bleak: existing debt service accounts for almost 20% of total expenses and the T projects a $366 million budget shortfall for FY24, closed by one-time funds. The T projects its budget gap will increase with each fiscal year.

Long-Term Instability

The gas tax raises more than $720 million annually for the state’s transportation system, including debt service. However, state law prohibits gas-powered vehicle sales in MA by 2035

Limited Options At Hand

Transportation revenues are typically a form of user fees – tolls, gas tax, registration/license fees, etc. – however, state and federal laws impact and limit how these revenues are generated and distributed.

How we will implement change:

Leadership
Leadership

The Chamber will continue its role as a leading voice on transportation policy. We will facilitate knowledge transfer between the public and private sector.

Policy Advocacy
Policy Advocacy

We will identify and advocate for reforms to transportation funding that seek to generate revenue while also influencing commuter behavior.

Convening
Convening

The Chamber will convene members and other stakeholders to discuss the future of transportation in the region.

Action is Needed: Housing

Commonwealth’s highest housing prices align closely with commuter rail routes.

Opening up the transportation network will expand opportunities for development and the places people look for housing and create better access to good, affordable homes.

Latest on Transportation

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Public Policy

Chamber President & CEO Appointed to State’s Transportation Funding Task Force by Governor Healey

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News

Chamber Releases Commissioned Market Data for MBTA General Manager Salary

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Public Policy; Transportation

Chamber Transportation Agenda

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In the News:

Mass Gov

Chamber Celebrates Removal of MBTA Slow Zones

“With the successful completion of the MBTA’s Track Improvement Program, the region’s residents, commuters, and business leaders are developing a renewed confidence in the T’s reliability and safety,” said Jim Rooney, President & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. 

The Boston Globe

Tolls, taxi fees, & gas taxes are on the table

“We’re still without a mechanism for figuring out how to deal with a long-term strategy for funding and pricing mobility. Our way of dealing with transportation funding is to lurch from crisis to crisis…That does not allow us to have a comprehensive, strategic funding approach to transportation.”

The Boston Globe

The T is on track to be broke soon.

And for now, the proposal doesn’t include a sustainable, long-term funding fix for the T’s day-to-day expenses. Chamber president Jim Rooney, a former GM of the T, said solutions that could include tolls & congestion pricing will be “incredibly politically difficult things to implement. It’s patch the leak in the roof while we figure out how we’re going to pay for a new roof.”

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