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Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JAnuARy 5, 2024 MBTA | FROM PAGE 9 years to finalize, these agreements were secured in months, demonstrating the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s and MBTA leadership’s renewed ability to expedite contractual negotiations and achieve significant milestones in a fraction of the time. These agreements also allowed the MBTA to provide competitive wages in a tight labor market in order to bolster its recruiting efforts, proven by the increase in applicants this year. Transparency Improvements: Launch of the Online Safety Dashboard: In February 2023, the MBTA launched its online safety dashboard that allows the public to see the status of the T’s progress in responding to the FTA Safety Management Inspection (SMI) Special Directives. The dashboard includes a description of each Corrective Action Plan, what it is intended to correct, the MBTA’s analysis, recommendations, and the status of steps being taken to address the FTA’s Special Directives. Launch of the Online Speed Restrictions Dashboard: In March 2023, the MBTA launched a live, online Speed Restriction Dashboard that provides riders with up-to-date information on speed restrictions across the MBTA system. Refreshed daily, the dashboard reports on location, speed limit, when a restriction was put in place, and the reason for the restriction on the Red, Orange, Blue, Mattapan, and Green lines. The dashboard also provides the percentage of tracks under restriction, the distance by individual line or systemwide, and the number of restrictions. Support Regional Vitality and the Economy: Reopening the Temporary Lynn Commuter Rail Station and Restoring Service to Lynn Community: The Lynn Interim Station on the Newburyport/ Rockport Commuter Rail Line opened to the Lynn community on Monday, December 18, 2023. Construction of the Lynn Interim Station was able to be accelerated, opening the temporary station nine months sooner than previously planned – and at a fraction of the originally projected costs. Launch of New Lynn Ferry SCAM ALERT | FROM PAGE 4 proved products sold by internet pharmacies in other countries can be downright dangerous. Avoid risking your health and getting scammed by sticking with pharmacies based in the country where you live. • Don’t buy prescription-only medications from a seller who doesn’t ask you for a prescription. This is a huge red flag and one of the biggest signs that you are Service: The Lynn Ferry operated through summer 2023. It was extended through the fall due to popular demand and is expected to return next summer. Reopening Ashland Station: Ashland Station on the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line reopened to passengers on Saturday, December 23. Over $3 million of investment in station repairs and improvements took place, including the complete restoration of the pedestrian overpass, including stairs and walkways; the installation of digital signage; and repaving the striping parking lots. Updated lighting and additional finishing work will also be completed in January 2024. These improvements ensure safe and accessible access for the Ashland community and passengers. Federal Funding Award for Advancing Transit Reliability in Chelsea, Everett, Revere: The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded the MBTA with $2.96 million in funding for implementing transit signal priority and signal metrics to prioritize buses through 37 signalized intersections in Chelsea, Everett, and Revere. The award is part of the Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program grant, a $52.78 million investment package under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). In this round, ATTAIN expanded eligibility for projects in communities previously lacking in investments, including rural areas and areas of persistent poverty. Permanent Foxboro Service: In October 2023, permanent weekday Commuter Rail service went into effect between Boston’s South Station and Foxboro Station as part of the MBTA’s partnership with the Kraft Group and Patriot Place, MassDOT, and the Town of Foxborough. Launch of Bus Priority Vision and Toolkit: In October 2023, the MBTA launched its Bus Priority Vision and Toolkit. Through partnerships with communities and municipalities, bus priority allows the MBTA to make bus transit faster and more efficient through the creation of dedicated bus lanes, the implementation of transit signal priority, and the use of queue jumps. The Bus Priority Vision and dealing with a scammer. Even if they are selling the drug, offering it to consumers without a prescription is illegal. • Watch out for unreasonably low prices. This is another red flag. Ask yourself, “Why is a vendor offering a high-demand, name-brand prescription at such a low price?” It’s probably a scam. After paying, you could end up with counterfeit products or no products at all. • Don’t use digital wallet apps to Toolkit are complementary resources that are designed to support the expansion of bus priority investments throughout the region over the next five-to-seven years. They provide guidance to municipal, state, and transit staff on planning and implementing bus priority treatments to encourage more regional transit use. Commuter Rail Ridership Reached New Post-Pandemic Peak and Exceeded 90% of PreCOVID Levels: Commuter Rail ridership reached a new post-pandemic peak in October 2023. For four weeks, the average weekly ridership of the Commuter Rail systemwide exceeded 90% of pre-COVID levels. While ridership across the Commuter Rail network was high in October, three lines in particular saw significant jumps compared to their September averages: the Newburyport/ Rockport, Fairmount, and Franklin lines. Newburyport/Rockport Line Achieved the Highest Weekend Ridership and the Best October On-time Performance Ever: In October 2023, the Newburyport/ Rockport Line saw the best overall October on-time performance and highest levels of weekend ridership ever during the Haunted Happenings events in Salem. Extra weekend Commuter Rail service to and from Salem was added as part of the City of Salem’s efforts to encourage people to take public transportation to Haunted Happenings. Dedicated Bus Lanes: More than eight miles of bus priority lanes were added to the MBTA service area in 2023. The MBTA led efforts to expand and make permanent quick-build lanes on Broadway in Revere. In a joint collaboration with the City of Boston, quick-build lanes were made permanent on Huntington Avenue and St. James Avenue, and the inbound lane on Washington Street in Roslindale was extended. The MBTA is also grateful for their municipal partners, Partnering with the City of Boston and the City of Somerville, the MBTA was able to see the Summer Street bus/truck lane pilot and bus lane along East Broadway under McGrath come to fruition. Increase Environmental Sustainability: The MBTA is committed to embracing environmenpay for a prescription. A reputable pharmacy won’t ask you to make a payment using a digital wallet app, prepaid debit cards, or wired funds. These payment methods are a common denominator in countless scams. • Only buy from reputable pharmacies. If you come across a pharmacy online that you aren’t familiar with, research is a must. Make sure the business has legitimate contact information and a working phone numtally sustainable practices. Public transit accounts for less than 1 % of statewide transportation emissions, but despite the relatively small share of transportation emissions, the MBTA is taking proactive steps to mitigate environmental impact: New Climate and Resiliency Policy and Planning Office: In August 2023, the MBTA released agency-wide goals, including reducing environmental impacts and increasing the transit system’s resilience. In support of this goal, in September 2023, the Authority announced the establishment of a new Climate and Resiliency Policy and Planning team as part of the Policy and Strategic Planning Division that will be tasked with decreasing the agency’s and the state’s environmental footprint and increasing the resilience of the MBTA system. Secured Major Battery Electric Bus Contract: The MBTA secured a $119 million contract to New Flyer of America Inc. for the production and delivery of 80 new, low-floor, 40-foot battery electric buses (BEBs). Supporting the Commonwealth’s Net Zero emissions targets, the BEBs purchased under this procurement will reduce transportation emissions, which will result in better air quality within MBTA communities. The procurement, which is part of the Authority’s fleet replacement plan, positions the MBTA to meet the 2022 Massachusetts Climate Law mandate, which requires the T to purchase zero-emission buses only after 2029 and fully electrify its fleet by 2040. Release of RFQ for 3-5 Year $120 Million Renewable Energy Contract: In July 2023, the MBTA Board of Directors approved the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for an up-to-$120 million wholesale renewable electricity supply contract, upgrading the T’s commitment to renewable energy and continuing its leadership in clean transportation. The MBTA also further supported the Commonwealth’s climate change goals and meeting Clean Energy Standard requirements by recommending that 30% of its power be supplied by Massachusetts solar and wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). Accessibility Improvements: ber. Look for consumer reviews, keeping a sharp eye out for reports of scams or shady business dealings. Remember, your personal information, some of your medical details, and your money are all on the line. For more information, read the BBB Tip about weight loss products at https://www. bbb.org/article/news-releases/16895-bbb-tip-supplements-and-other-weight-lossproducts?utm_source=newsNew and Replacement Elevators: In 2023, a new redundant elevator serving the inbound platform at Kendall/MIT was constructed. Additionally, a redundant elevator at State Street Station that connects the Oak Grove-bound Orange Line platform to the corridor between the Orange and Blue Lines and an elevator at Quincy Adams were replaced and are now back in service. All four elevators have now been replaced at Quincy Adams, and with redundant elevators serving the platform, it is the eleventh Red Line station to have redundant elevator service in place. Major Station Accessibility Upgrades in Progress: Design and/or construction activities have advanced on various Capital projects that also include major accessibility upgrades at over 35 stations across the MBTA’s subway and Commuter Rail network. More Transit Ambassadors: In July 2023, a new contract related to providing in-station customer assistance via Transit Ambassadors went into effect, and staffing levels were scaled up. As part of the new contract, in an effort to better support both riders navigating throughout subway stations and Transit Ambassadors assisting riders with disabilities, a full revision of the accessibility training module for Transit Ambassadors was completed and incorporated into the new-hire training program in March 2023. All Transit Ambassadors completed this new training as of July 2023. Refreshed Training for Bus Operators and Dispatchers: Throughout the fall of 2023, the MBTA updated its comprehensive accessibility training program for Bus Operators and developed a brand-new, full-day accessibility training for dispatchers within the Operations Control Center. Access in Motion: In September 2023, the MBTA launched “Access in Motion,” a pioneering marketing campaign raising awareness of accessibility features and their benefits for all riders. For more information, please visit mbta.com, or connect with the T on X (the site formerly known as Twitter) @MBTA and @MBTA_CR, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, Threads @thembta, or TikTok @thembta. letter&utm_medium=e - mail&utm_content=BBB%20 Tip%20about%20weight%20 loss%20products&utm_campaign=scam-alert and check out BBB’s online shopping HQ for more resources. If you spot a prescription scam, report it at https://www.bbb.org/ScamTracker?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_ content=BBB%20Scam%20 Tracker&utm_campaign=scam-alert.

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