Skip to content
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Join
Boston Chamber
  • Events
        • Events

          • Overview
          • Events Calendar
          • Chamber Awards
        • ...
          Talent
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network Anniversary Celebration

          Join the Massachusetts Apprentice Network for the one-year anniversary of its launch.

          03/27/2023

          9:30am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          BIMA
          BIMA: Gaming’s Present & Future: Creativity, Attention, and Social Connection

          This event will explore why in-game advertising is becoming the next big advertising channel and how companies can tap into the gaming ad space.

          03/28/2023

          5:30pm - 7:30pm

          Mediahub

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Events
          2023 Government Affairs Forum: Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House

          Thank you for joining us for our second Government Affairs forum of the year that featured Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House.

          03/30/2023

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Colonnade Hotel

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Resources
        • EQ to Elevate Workplace Well-being

          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

          Read More
          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          How to Be an LGBTQIA+ Ally in the Workplace

          Expand your DEI professional development with a virtual workshop focused specifically on LGBTQIA+ identities and inclusion.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Economic Inclusion Committee
          • Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/15/2023

          Greater Boston

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For more than 25 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          MITX

          Through MITX (the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange), we’re building valuable connections between the people and ideas behind technology and its impact on the future of customer experiences, all to create a community that’s finding tomorrow’s solutions together.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
          Small Business

          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

          Read More
  • Membership
        • Membership

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
        • Our Impact
        • About Us
          Our Impact

          Explore our mission and values to better understand how we are leading the business community forward.

        • Membership Directory
        • Membership Directory
          Not sure if you’re a member?

          Our member directory is your resource to discover, connect, and engage with Boston’s businesses from every industry and sector.

        • For our members

          • Member Resources
          • Member Deals
          • Sponsorship Opportunities
          • Connect with your Member Services Rep
          • Sign In
  • join
Bostonchamber
Boston Chamber
  • Events
        • Events

          • Overview
          • Events Calendar
          • Chamber Awards
        • ...
          Talent
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network Anniversary Celebration

          Join the Massachusetts Apprentice Network for the one-year anniversary of its launch.

          03/27/2023

          9:30am - 11:00am

          Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          BIMA
          BIMA: Gaming’s Present & Future: Creativity, Attention, and Social Connection

          This event will explore why in-game advertising is becoming the next big advertising channel and how companies can tap into the gaming ad space.

          03/28/2023

          5:30pm - 7:30pm

          Mediahub

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Events
          2023 Government Affairs Forum: Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House

          Thank you for joining us for our second Government Affairs forum of the year that featured Ronald J. Mariano, Massachusetts Speaker of the House.

          03/30/2023

          9:45am - 11:00am

          Colonnade Hotel

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Learning & Development
        • Learning & Development

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Resources
        • EQ to Elevate Workplace Well-being

          Designed for mid-level managers and supervisors, this new certificate program addresses workplace well-being through unique, innovative, and actionable methods.

          Read More
          Transformational DEI Certificate

          Join our Transformational DEI Certificate! Our comprehensive learning & development offerings are designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.

          Read More
          Women’s Leadership Program

          Our Women’s Leadership Program enables you to take your leadership to the next level by arming you with the most in-demand leadership toolkit.

          Read More
          How to Be an LGBTQIA+ Ally in the Workplace

          Expand your DEI professional development with a virtual workshop focused specifically on LGBTQIA+ identities and inclusion.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Economic Inclusion Committee
          • Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Economic Inclusion

          Our Economic Inclusion Committee provides strategic support around research, policies, and programs that are focused on building equal opportunity.

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Fierce Urgency of Now Festival
          2023 Fierce Urgency of Now Festival

          The Fierce Urgency of Now Festival brings Boston’s diverse young professionals together with business leaders, organizations and their peers to build connection, advance careers and ignite positive change.

          09/12/2023 -

          09/15/2023

          Greater Boston

          arrow-go
          Read More
  • Policy & Impact
        • Policy & Impact

          • Overview
          • Leadership Councils
          • Amicus Advisory Board
        • GET INVOLVED IN OUR POLICY FOCUS AREAS

          Business Climate
          Read More
          Climate & Energy
          Read More
          Health Care
          Read More
          Housing & Development
          Read More
          Talent
          Read More
          Transportation
          Read More
  • Our Networks
        • GBCC’s Networks

          • Overview
        • OUR NETWORKS

          City Awake

          City Awake empowers young professionals in a variety of ways that encourages these rising leaders to stay invested in the region’s future success.

          Read More
          BIMA

          BIMA (the Boston Interactive Media Association) serves a vibrant community of like-minded professionals from agencies, brands, publishers, and ad-tech companies with business interests in the New England market.

          Read More
          Women’s Network

          For more than 25 years, the Chamber’s Women’s Network has connected female professionals of all background and career levels. Today, our Women’s Network is the largest in New England, strengthening the professional networks of women each year.

          Read More
          MITX

          Through MITX (the Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange), we’re building valuable connections between the people and ideas behind technology and its impact on the future of customer experiences, all to create a community that’s finding tomorrow’s solutions together.

          Read More
          Pacesetters

          We are developing an ecosystem of corporations and partners with the influence and buying power to transform economic inclusion for minority business enterprises (MBEs).

          Read More
          Small Business

          We support small business through public policy initiatives, events designed to connect small businesses in Greater Boston to their peers and established business leaders, professional development offerings, and free small business advising.

          Read More
  • Membership
        • Membership

          • Overview
          • Membership Benefits
          • Membership Levels
          • Member Stories
          • Request a Meeting
          • Join Today
        • Our Impact
        • About Us
          Our Impact

          Explore our mission and values to better understand how we are leading the business community forward.

        • Membership Directory
        • Membership Directory
          Not sure if you’re a member?

          Our member directory is your resource to discover, connect, and engage with Boston’s businesses from every industry and sector.

        • For our members

          • Member Resources
          • Member Deals
          • Sponsorship Opportunities
          • Connect with your Member Services Rep
          • Sign In
  • join
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Join

Chamber Transportation Agenda

Members of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce constantly point to transportation – improving commutes, reducing congestion, and having a world class public transportation system – as their top policy priority.

To see why the Chamber believes more investment is needed, and what changes must be adopted along with additional investment, you can view the Transportation Policy Agenda here and read on for more information.

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Transportation Policy

Our principles in creating this policy agenda are to give MassDOT, the MBTA, and RTAs the tools they need to execute; use prices to influence behavior; and think about equity in how revenue is raised and how it is spent.

 

What are the Transportation Challenges?

Economic and population surges in the state are stressing the system.

“It takes drivers longer to travel during the morning peak period than it did five years ago along nearly every roadway segment along the major corridors coming into Greater Boston.”

– Congestion in the Commonwealth, Report to the Governor, 2019, MassDOT

“But travel times have grown in low-density places outside of the Boston region as well…increased roadway volumes are slowing drivers down all over the state.”

– Congestion in the Commonwealth, Report to the Governor, 2019, MassDOT

Infrastructure Condition

Historical under-investment in some areas has resulted in poor conditions

Nearly 500 bridges in Massachusetts, totaling almost 12% of bridge roadways, are rated poor.

This is the 4th worst in the country.

The MBTA experiences a disproportionate share of derailments compared to other transit systems nationally. The following image shows just a snapshot of equipment and mechanical delays in the month of September 2019.

Future-Ready Systems

We need to adapt to pressures and changes in our climate, economy, and technology.

  • Climate

-Transportation accounts for the largest share of emissions

  • Economy and Commerce

-Existing and future job and activity centers

-Shift to e-commerce = more delivery traffic

  • Technology

-80 million TNC rides in MA in 2018

-Mobility as a service (Uber, Lyft, etc)

 

Future Ready System Needs

  • CLIMATE RESILIENCY

    The current CIP is limited to planning for climate resilient infrastructure; it does not adapt existing or fund specific climate resiliency initiatives.

  • DECARBONIZATION & ELECTRIFICATION​

    Meeting the state’s carbon emission goals in the Global Warming Solutions Act will require widespread adoption of carbon-neutral vehicles for the MBTA and MassDOT. Electrification of the commuter rail may also be required to meet the emission goals.

  • MUNICIPAL ROADWAYS​

    Bond bill authorizes (but does not commit) $100 million over 10 years for additional municipal roadway funding.

  • REGIONAL RAIL​

    The Commuter Rail Vision project is charged with making recommendations to reinvent the MBTA commuter rail system.

  • ADDITIONAL RAIL EXPANSION​

    The capital plan does not include funding for construction and, in many cases, design of additional rail expansion projects that have been proposed. This includes the South Station Expansion, Red-Blue connector, additional extensions of the Green Line, and a potential east-west rail connection with Springfield and Boston.

Long-Term Gaps

Financial projections show capital and operating gaps in the future, even without additional investments.

The MBTA projects operating deficits of $39 million and $98 million for FYs 2020 and 2021. At the FMCB meeting on October 7, 2019, the FY 2020 projected deficit was increased to $53 million. No updated projection was provided for FY 2021. Source: FY19 Operating Budget, Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Review, Report to Fiscal and Management Control Board, August 12, 2019.

What are the impacts and risks of leaving these transportation projects unaddressed?

  • TALENT LOSS

“…congestion is now reducing access to jobs in Greater Boston, particularly within I-495…”

Congestion in the Commonwealth, Report to the Governor

  • CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTING CRUMBLING INFRASTRUCTURE

“Weather not only wears on infrastructure, but infrastructure has physical reactions to extreme weather conditions.”

Commission on the Future of Transportation in the Commonwealth

  • BRIDGES WILL NOT MEET NEEDED THRESHOLDS

“At the rate of bridge investment proposed by MassDOT does not expect to achieve the 10% condition threshold within the next five years.”

2018 Performance and Asset Management Advisory Council Annual Report

  • LOSS OF COMPETITIVENESS

25 other states have increased their investments in transportation infrastructure since 2014.

  • A NATIONAL PROBLEM

“[A]n aging and crumbling transportation system is not only slowing Americans down, it’s reducing productivity, undermining our ability to move products across the country and around the world, and increasing congestion and air pollution.”

U.S Chamber of Commerce

What can be done to improve the state of Massachusetts transportation?

The Bond Bill submitted by the Baker-Polito Administration included several changes to improve transportation project delivery. It is important that it becomes easier to get more projects underway and to leverage different types of contracting to achieve necessary goals.

Beyond the Bond Bill, the state of Massachusetts must ramp up capacity and workforce planning; improve oversight and governance; and leverage technology & employers. Just as importantly, we must strategically create future-ready revenues to support a transportation system that meets the needs of residents and businesses.

Project Delivery considerations in the Bond Bill include:

  • Public Private Partnerships (P3s) – Agreements with private entities to construct assets that the agency(ies) manage.
  • Procurement – Can use a cost-plus-time procurement method for projects.
  • Public Bidding – Threshold to increase to $100k.
  • Personnel – New positions and job descriptions to effectively manage and execute projects.
  • Contracting – Flexibility in contracting, including “best value” options instead of requiring low-cost awards.
  • Bulk Job Orders – To perform maintenance and other critical tasks.
  • Single Contractors – To be allowed for the full process or any combination of: engineering, designing, building, financing operation, and maintenance of infrastructure, technology, and services.

Workforce Planning

  • Supplement project delivery capacity with broader use of Owner’s Project Managers (OPMs).
  • Determine obstacles to building internal capacity and determine whether MassDOT/MBTA has ability to make needed changes.
  • Implement the changes or determine split between internal/external execution.

Oversight & MBTA Governance

  • Retain aspects of the Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB) that added the most value, including dedicated board, regular public reporting, and external strategic guidance for the MBTA.
  • Staggered terms for the FMCB to provide consistency across general managers and administrations.
  • Have a strong general manager system at the MBTA.
  • Hold an annual transportation oversight hearing by the Legislature. 
  • Taxpayer board to ensure spending is executed as designed in the legislation.

 

Leverage Technology & Employers

  • Create an accelerator specifically for using technology to solve transportation problems, modeled after the Transit Tech Lab, a public-private partnership and accelerator in NYC.

Encourage employer mobility programs. This includes (but is not limited to) transportation management associations, telework programs with flexible hours or shifts, pre-tax transit benefits, ride-share corporate accounts and state programs, and employer mobility challenges.

Future Ready Revenues: Boston Chamber Proposed Investments in Massachusetts Transportation

New revenue should be distributed and linked to specific investment allocations, such as public transit expansion and modernization, climate adaptability, state highways, local roads, and fare balancing for MBTA.  The Chamber’s recommendations for new revenue are:

  1. Roadway Pricing
    1. Cost to be determined based on findings of Roadway Pricing Task Force.
  2. Gas Tax
    1. Increase $0.15 over three years, open to an additional $0.02 on diesel.
  3. TCI
    1. Depending of design of the program, a maximum of $0.10, not in lieu of gas tax.
  4. TNC
    1. Increase per ride fee to between $1.20 to $1.70.
    2. Additional surcharge for luxury rides.
    3. Additional surcharge during peak travel periods.
    4. Fee would be passed along to rider.
  5. Equity
    1. Equity, both geographic and social, comes from how revenue is spent as well as how it is raised.

For our full revenue strategy and clarification on proposed tax and fees, you can view the Transportation Policy Agenda here.

265 Franklin Street
Suite 1701
Boston, MA 02110
Get Directions
Contact us
  • Events
  • Learning & Development
  • Economic Inclusion
  • Policy & Impact
  • Our Networks
  • Membership
  • join
  • About Us
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

© 2022 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.

Popular Resources

  • News & Insights  
  • Member Resources  
  • Small Business  
Close