Danielle Allen Outlines Vision To Secure Carbon-Free Transit Statewide, Reimagine Transportation For A Healthy, Connected Commonwealth

Danielle Allen Outlines Vision To Secure Carbon-Free Transit Statewide, Reimagine Transportation For A Healthy, Connected Commonwealth

Boston, MA — Today, gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen unveiled the latest in a series of in-depth policy agendas that are already driving consensus for change across our Commonwealth. Allen’s new agenda to reimagine transportation will create electric-based transportation networks across the Commonwealth; prioritize electrification of commuter rail systems and a One Commonwealth rail network; help families put the pieces together by making efficient, affordable transit available to everyone; and move our transportation paradigm off fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. The full agenda is available here.

Communities across Massachusetts are facing transportation challenges — from parents losing out on time with their kids because they’re stuck in long commutes, to small towns emptying out because of limited transportation options to reach jobs nearby. A lack of public transportation is placing a disproportionate burden on seniors and people with disabilities in rural communities, and communities of color are facing disproportionate impacts of pollution from traffic congestion. Allen’s transportation plan will tackle these challenges head on. By empowering regional transit authorities to better serve our towns and cities, and building out affordable, electric-based transit networks statewide, Allen will drive a connected Commonwealth, a dynamic, inclusive economy, and a healthy climate.

“Great transportation helps all of us connect the dots: between home, work, our loved ones, and services like getting to the doctor. And whether it’s opening up job opportunities or getting us transitioned off fossil fuels, affordable, electric-based transportation is the missing link,” said gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen. “I’m pushing to reimagine our transportation systems across our state, for healthy communities, climate resilience, and a connected Commonwealth.”

To make that a reality, an Allen administration will: 

• Transform our transportation infrastructure to achieve climate resilience and justice, including prioritizing decarbonization and electrification of the commuter rail by enacting the Rail Vision Full Transformation Agenda, retrofitting transit infrastructure for climate resilience, building out electric vehicle infrastructure, and accelerating the conversion of all public vehicles to electrification.

• Secure equitable, efficient transportation access Commonwealth-wide, including pursuing high-speed East-West passenger rail service between Pittsfield and Boston via Springfield at least five times daily, driving high-frequency service across the whole commuter rail system, improving bus service in rural areas and investing in regional transit authorities, and supporting the Work & Family Mobility Act and End Debt-Based Drivers’ License Suspensions legislation.

• Reduce congestion and ensure safe, affordable transit through a 10 year plan to get people out of cars and prioritize bikes, ride shares, and keeping reliable public transit affordable. This includes piloting congestion pricing, delivering subsidized fares for low-income people, and piloting free bus routes through high-density, low-income neighborhoods. 

• Build a coordinated, sustainably-resourced system by establishing a One Commonwealth Rail Division to coordinate rail and take some of the burden off of the MBTA, creating a Northeast Transportation Task Force to work on regional transit across New England (including the North Atlantic Rail Initiative), and paving the way to take full advantage of federal infrastructure investment partnerships.

• Connect transportation infrastructure to the building blocks of prosperity, investing in housing, good jobs, health, and climate to reinforce and advance our transportation goals.