Seeing Beyond 2020

A Vision of Boston's Transportation System in the Year 2020

1995

Introduction

The Association for Public Transportation (APT) is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to promoting public transportation for environmental, equity and efficiency reasons.

APT has drafted this vision of a transportation system for the year 2020 and beyond for the City of Boston and its immediate surroundings.  This transportation system would be the result of progressive transportation improvements during coming years.  It would continue the tradition of Boston as a vibrant and livable city, built as a walking city and builder of the first subway in North America.

The future of Boston hinges to a great extent on the development of a public transportation system that beckons riders as a desirable alternative to using an automobile.

Boston is uniquely positioned as a world-class city, with a relatively well-developed infrastructure.  It has a rich tradition of achievements, product of a highly educated and creative work force.  With these resources Boston can design, build and operate a transportation system at least as good, and even better than, that of other world-class cities.  To be one of the best in the world, the system must be overwhelmingly user friendly.  The operation of the transit system accordingly cannot be left to an insulated management, but requires input from the users.

Boston’s many crooked and narrow streets make it difficult to use an automobile in the city.  People and businesses do not move into Boston because of its diversity, but because of its livability.  Citizens want to be able to walk or ride to work, school, shopping and social and sporting events.  Retailers want foot traffic, and employers want easy access to public transit.  Nearly every tourist to Boston is primarily a pedestrian.  Thus, economic growth in Boston will be best served by an efficient public transportation system, supported by a pedestrian and bicycle intermodal network.  Boston’s automobile-dominated highway infrastructure has not contributed to its job base, its neighborhoods, its relationship with its harbor and rivers, or its natural environment.  This damage can best be undone with a proper realignment of its transportation policies.

Boston is not in compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act.  More use of public transportation can accomplish the goal of a cleaner air and other parallel benefits such as less energy consumption, greater safety, much less cost, and the provision of mobility for the handicapped and the economically disadvantaged.

There are several extrinsic measures that can contribute to a desirable transportation system.  Among those that come to mind are the use of low-emission vehicles and cleaner fuels, ride-sharing provisions, better land-use patterns and more judicious location of housing and businesses, a better mix of manufacturing and service industries, flexible work hours, telecommuting, daycare provision for children of working parents, extended home delivery service of food and retail items, and pedestrian-friendly cluster housing which enhances community interaction (libraries, community centers, parks, playgrounds, etc.)

We believe that the benefits listed below emerge from phrasing the transportation debate not just in terms of whose bridge is to be fixed first, but rather in terms that allow the infrastructure to promote such societal goals as community, convenience, economic balance, environmental health, and safety.  We welcome and want to contribute to this debate.

APT’S 2020 Vision

The vision for the transportation system of Boston and its immediate surroundings for the year 2020 and beyond has the following elements.

• It is a system that is safe, reliable, economically efficient, environmentally sound, and the foundation for the Boston region to compete in the global economy by moving people and goods in an energy-efficient manner.
• The system is efficiently maintained, managed and operated.  New, improved technologies and transportation concepts are continuously evaluated and used when feasible.
• Decisions on the allotment of resources, frequency of service, selection of transportation mode (bus, train, light rail, etc.), and future system expansion are based on a priority system that takes into account considerations of ridership needs, safety, costs, economic benefits, needs of handicapped persons and environmental impact.
• In recognition of the fact that placing sole reliance on automobile use is expensive and destructive to the environment, the system is a balanced one that promotes walking, bicycling and the use of public transportation.
• The public transit system is expanded to make convenient train or subway connections to population centers, airports, ferry landings, major educational and medical centers, major suburban shopping centers, major stadiums and other large public gathering places.  The service is reliable, fast, safe, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and clean, open 24 hours a day, and available to everyone.  Bicycles and wheelchairs can be accommodated.  Circumferential links that close the gaps in the present radial system are in place.  An equitable fare policy exists for all services.
• Boston enjoys frequent high-speed rail service to other major cities within a 500-mile range.  Air travel serves locations outside a 300-mile radius of Boston.  Commuter ferries provide convenient transportation for communities along the shoreline and to Logan Airport.
• Some areas of the center city are out of bounds to private automobiles.  An equitable fee is charged for all vehicles parked in the inner city.  Walkways are kept clean, well-maintained and free of snow in winter.
• The planning and policies of Boston transportation are coördinated with Federal and State agencies, with neighboring communities, and with public interest groups.  Full advantage is taken of funding for non-automobile transportation projects.
• Boston is a move livable world-class city again, where it is a pleasure to live and visit, where it is easy and safe to walk to bicycle and where public transit in once again the predominant method of transportation.
• Boston leads the way in compliance with the Clean Air, Americans with Disabilities, and ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency) acts and subsequent legislation, and will maintain and enforce the provisions and policies therein in the year 2020 and beyond.