Skip to content
  • About Us
  • Foundation
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Join
Home > Press Release > Greater Boston Chamber, Conservation Law Foundation, and MBTA Advisory Board Partner to Assess MBTA’s Progress
Boston Chamber
  • Events
        • Events

          • Overview
          • Events Calendar
          • Chamber Awards
          • New Chamber Event Series
        • ...
          Premier Event
          2025 Annual Meeting

          Join us for our highly anticipated Annual Meeting, Greater Boston's top business convening of the year.

          05/20/2025

          4:30pm - 8:00pm

          Omni Boston Hotel

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Columbia Construction

          This virtual event gives small business owners the chance to hear directly from procurement officers about opportunities to work with them.

          05/29/2025

          12:00pm - 1:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          City Awake
          Art of Connection: An Evening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

          Join us for an exclusive networking event at the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoy self-guided tours of John Wilson and Van Gogh, showcasing the deep bond of family, friendship, and community.

          06/05/2025

          5:30pm - 8:30pm

          Museum of Fine Arts

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

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Insights
        • Transformational DEI Certificate

          This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.

          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
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          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.

          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
        • ...
          Small Business
          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          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

          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          Read More
          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 over 30 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
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          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
  • Membership
        • Membership

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

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

        • Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
        • 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
          • New Chamber Event Series
        • ...
          Premier Event
          2025 Annual Meeting

          Join us for our highly anticipated Annual Meeting, Greater Boston's top business convening of the year.

          05/20/2025

          4:30pm - 8:00pm

          Omni Boston Hotel

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          Pacesetters
          Doing Business with Columbia Construction

          This virtual event gives small business owners the chance to hear directly from procurement officers about opportunities to work with them.

          05/29/2025

          12:00pm - 1:00pm

          Virtual

          arrow-go
          Read More
        • ...
          City Awake
          Art of Connection: An Evening at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

          Join us for an exclusive networking event at the Museum of Fine Arts and enjoy self-guided tours of John Wilson and Van Gogh, showcasing the deep bond of family, friendship, and community.

          06/05/2025

          5:30pm - 8:30pm

          Museum of Fine Arts

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

          • Overview
          • Call for Nominations
          • Insights
        • Transformational DEI Certificate

          This program is in redevelopment. Click this page for DEI resources.

          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
          Boston’s Future Leaders

          Our Boston’s Future Leaders (BFL) program provides emerging leaders with a socially conscious and civically engaged leadership toolkit, as well as the opportunity to apply their knowledge through experiential assignments.

          Read More
          Authentic Professionalism for Early Career Professionals

          Join us on June 12 for a highly interactive virtual workshop with Strategic Career & Leadership Coach Carole-Ann Penney.

          Read More
  • Economic Inclusion
        • Economic Inclusion

          • Overview
          • Pacesetters
          • Resources
        • ...
          Economic Inclusion
          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.

          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
        • ...
          Small Business
          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          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

          Small Business

          Small businesses are the backbone of the Boston economy. Learn more about the resources available through the Chamber.

          Read More
          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 over 30 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
          Massachusetts Apprentice Network

          The Massachusetts Apprentice Network convenes employers, training providers, and talent sources interested in developing and implementing apprenticeship programs in occupations across industries and statewide in fields such as tech, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, and more.

          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
  • Membership
        • Membership

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

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

        • Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
        • 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
  • Foundation
  • News & Insights
  • Member Directory
  • Job Board
  • Sign In
  • Join

Greater Boston Chamber, Conservation Law Foundation, and MBTA Advisory Board Partner to Assess MBTA’s Progress

November 15, 2018

Boston, MA – The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (GBCC), the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), and the MBTA Advisory Board today announce that they have partnered to publish an accountability assessment of the MBTA’s progress toward meeting goals set in the MBTA Strategic Plan created by the Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) in 2017 as well as other baseline documents, including the T’s Capital Investment Plan. The coalition reflects the diverse and broad constituency of MBTA ridership and each organization has a vested stake in the Authority’s ability to provide safe, reliable, sustainable, and world class service to Greater Boston’s communities and customers. 

The FMCB itself called for accountability in its release of the 2017 Strategic Plan which stated, “If executed well, the plan is intended to ensure that there is never again a deterioration of our public transit system, and instead, that we are supported and held accountable to continuously improve the vital service we provide.” The coalition’s planned assessment will measure progress on priorities and goals set by the FMCB to provide the public an objective analysis of the MBTA’s accomplishments and challenges to date. Based on the findings, businesses, advocates and the 176 cities and towns in the MBTA district can determine how to best support the MBTA’s continued progress. The findings will also help to gauge whether current investments, finances, and operational resources, are sufficient for the MBTA to meet its needs and goals. 

The first report will be released in the first quarter of 2019, and then annually to inform the budget process and capital investment strategy. Using publicly available data and information provided directly by the MBTA, progress will be measured following a rubric created by the three partner organizations. The rubric will be focused on the measurable goals of the Strategic Plan and will be organized around four key categories: fiscal sustainability, infrastructure, customers, and management.

The coalition applauds the work of the FMCB in creating the 2017 plan and the public transparent process leading to its publication, and we embrace the plan as a dynamic document that should be updated on a regular basis. In determining progress, the report will take into consideration plans laid out in other strategic documents such as the MBTA’s Focus 40 Investment Plan and its five-year Capital Investment Plan that include initiatives not spoken to in the FMCB strategic plan.  It is the coalition’s expectation that an updated version of the MBTA strategic plan consolidates all MBTA strategic initiatives into one master strategic plan.   
“Transportation, and particularly public transit, is a top public policy issue for our members because a robust transportation network underpins every successful and vibrant economy,” said James E. Rooney, president & CEO of the Greater Boston Chamber. “Providing an accountability check four years into the FMCB’s service is necessary to ensure greater Boston and Massachusetts are prepared to meet current residents’ needs and to embrace future economic growth.” 

“Everyone in Massachusetts deserves access to reliable public transportation,” said Amy Laura Cahn, Director of CLF’s Healthy Communities and Environmental Justice Program. “The state must invest in public transit that gets people out of their cars, drastically reduces carbon emissions and serves everyone, including doing more to reach the people who need transit the most. The MBTA needs to be held accountable to provide better service to the public, and this assessment is one step towards helping the T do just that.” 

“An efficient and reliable public transit system is critical to the health and development of the communities it serves,” said Paul Regan, Executive Director of the MBTA Advisory Board.  “For our cities and towns to be strong and vibrant places, we need the MBTA to fulfill its potential. The Strategic Plan has to be the roadmap to that goal.” 

“Stakeholder feedback and transparent data sharing is imperative to any strategic plan, and particularly for the MBTA as we continue to instill consumer confidence in our ability to make the MBTA the world class public transit system our state needs and deserves,” said Joseph Aiello, Chair of the FMCB and partner and director of business development North America at Meridiam Infrastructure. “On behalf of the FMCB, we are thankful to the Greater Boston Chamber, Conservation Law Foundation, and the MBTA Advisory Board for their commitment to this initiative, and we look forward to the issue of the first report.”  

About the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce 

The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce is the convener, voice and advocate of our region’s business community, committed to making Greater Boston the best place for businesses and people to thrive. It helps its members and Greater Boston succeed by convening and connecting the business community; researching, developing and advocating for public policies that contribute to our region’s economic success; and providing comprehensive leadership development programs designed to grow strong business and civic leaders. Learn more at BostonChamber.com.  

About the Conservation Law Foundation  

CLF protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. We use the law, science and the market to create solutions that preserve our natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant economy. We’re working to cut pollution from our cars and trucks, create alternatives to driving, and push for more affordable and equitable public transit options across New England. To learn more about our work, visit www.clf.org.  

About the MBTA Advisory Board 

The MBTA Advisory Board was created in the same legislation that created the MBTA to serve as oversight and voice of the communities served by the MBTA.  We monitor the MBTA’s spending and capital plans and track the performance of the MBTA’s service.  The MBTA Advisory Board advocates on behalf of its members and on behalf of the transit riding public. Learn more at mbtaadvisoryboard.org.  

Katie Hauser

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

[email protected]
617-557-7354

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

© 2025 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. All Rights Reserved.

Popular Resources

  • Small Business  
  • News & Insights  
  • Member Resources  
  • Small Business  
Close