MBTA推出2項巴士優先工具

 MBTA Announces Launch of Bus Priority Vision and Toolkit, Supports Bus Priority Investments Across 26 Bus Corridors 

Bus priority implementation is critical to unlocking more reliable and frequent bus service for approximately 220,000 daily riders. 

BOSTON – Today the MBTA announced the launch of the 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 Toolkit are two new 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 transituse.  

“Our long-term vision for regional bus priority investments is now available for the first time ever. We are showing how joint investments in street improvements with our municipal and state partners can create the changes we need to better serve our bus riders,” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “As part of this, ensuring robust public engagement is integral to the decision to rebuild and grow bus service for the Commonwealth. As congestion has increased across the region, it’s clear that investments in projects like bus lanes will keep people moving reliably, and these initiatives reaffirm the T’s commitment to making the bus better for more people. This Vision, along with the Network Redesign, is our plan to rebuild and grow bus service.” 

The Vision is a regional network of 26 bus corridors with high ridership and frequency that will have significant benefits from bus priority treatments such as bus-only lanes, transit signal priority, and improved bus stops. Implementing these measures will improve bus service reliability and reduce travel delays. Improvements in these key corridors will benefit around 220,000 daily bus riders, which accounts for 80% of bus riders. The Vision is aligned with the MBTA's Bus Network Redesign, which was approved by the MBTA Board of Directors in late 2022. The Redesign will update the bus network to better serve the region’s mobility needs and address changing travel patterns, traffic congestion, changing demographics, and access to housing and jobs. 

The Toolkit is designed to provide a consistent approach to planning and implementing bus priority treatments that cater to local community needs within the MBTA region. It draws from best practices at local and national levels, summarizes past project experiences, and outlines the benefits, tradeoffs, and considerations of effectively using limited road space. These improvements lead to a better rider experience, increased ridership, reduced vehicles on the road, and lower transportation-related emissions. 

“Bus prioritization improves the rider experience. We have worked closely with the MBTA to ensure that bus riders are able to move more quickly on high-delay corridors like Washington Street in Roslindale or Summer Street in the Seaport,” said Boston Chief of Streets Jascha Franklin-Hodge. “We look forward to continuing our partnership with the MBTA to create a regional transit system that is reliable, equitable, and accessible to everyone who lives, works, and visits Boston.” 

“We have long advocated for the MBTA and municipalities to prioritize bus riders and are thrilled to celebrate the release of the Vision and the Toolkit,” said Executive Director of LivableStreets Stacy Thompson. “Only five years ago, there were fewer than five miles of bus lanes on local streets. Thanks to the MBTA’s dedication to improving its bus system, the leadership of cities and towns, and the support of advocates, that bus priority network has grown ten-fold. Together, the Vision and the Toolkit are testaments to how far we’ve come as a region while also providing us with a roadmap for how to ensure the MBTA provides riders with the best bus service in the country.” 

Since 2018, approximately 50 miles of bus lanes have been constructed. The Vision identifies an additional 60 miles of roadway for targeted transit improvements. Bus priority measures have been implemented or are currently being planned in coordination with the MBTA and municipal and state partners across 14 municipalities including Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, East Boston, Everett, Lynn, Revere, and Somerville. 

The Barr Foundation provided funding to develop the MBTA’s Bus Priority Vision and Toolkit, which is integral to the MBTA’s Better Bus Project. The Better Bus Project's goal is to enhance, expand, and electrify bus services. This includes the Fleet and Facility Modernization program, the Bus Network Redesign, and other related initiatives. 

Healey州長參訪Attleboro 宣揚可負擔住宅計畫

  In Attleboro, Governor Healey Touts New Initiatives to Spur Housing Development in Gateway Cities, Lower Costs 

Governor’s Tax Cuts Package Substantially Increases HDIP Funding, Affordable Homes Act Would Allow Accessory Dwelling Units 

 

ATTLEBORO – Today, Governor Maura T. Healey took a walking tour of housing developments in Downtown Attleboro and highlighted her administration’s efforts to increase housing production across the state, particularly in Gateway Cities like Attleboro, to lower housing costs. The downtown area includes projects that are supported by Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which the Governor expanded in her tax cuts package, and the Housing Stabilization Fund and Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which the Governor proposed increasing in her Affordable Homes Act. 

 

“Lieutenant Governor Driscoll and I have heard the people of Massachusetts loud and clear – housing costs are out of control, and they need relief now. Our tax cuts package puts money back into the pockets of homeowners and renters, and our Affordable Homes Act will spur the housing production and empower communities with the tools we need to lower costs,” said Governor Healey. “We’re proud to be highlighting these initiatives in Attleboro today because our Gateway Cities are a crucial part of the solution to high housing costs.” 

 

“As the former Mayor of a Gateway City, I’ve seen how transformative programs like HDIP are for our communities. We need to build a whole lot more housing, people need to be able to afford to live in it, and it needs to be near transit so residents can get around and don’t need to rely on cars,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “Attleboro is a prime example of the great potential of our Gateway Cities, and we are proud to support housing and economic development in the community.” 

 

“Tackling the housing crisis requires bold thinking, creativity, vision, and a multi-faceted attack but we also know that it also requires a lot of money and Governor Healey has delivered on all fronts,” said Attleboro Mayor Cathleen DeSimone. “The proposals in the housing bond bill will go a long way to moving the housing needle, here in Attleboro and across the Commonwealth. Investments in new housing production, millions for preservation of existing housing units, tools for affordable housing, homeownership development, green building funding, and ADU zoning are innovative, meaningful, and sustainable initiatives. They are also significant employment drivers and worthy investments in the future of the Commonwealth and in our current and future residents. There is much work to be done and we must do it together. With the Affordable Homes Act, Governor Healey just put some serious skin in the game, but it is up to all of us to bring it home." 

 

Last week, Governor Healey introduced the $4 billion Affordable Homes Act, which would unlock the creation, preservation and modernization of nearly 70,000 homes. Among the 28 policy initiatives included in the bill is allowing accessory dwelling units less than 900 square feet as of right throughout the state with the ability for communities to set some reasonable restrictions. It is estimated this change could create more than 8,000 accessory dwelling units over five years. 

 

Earlier this month, Governor Healey signed Massachusetts’ first tax cuts in more than 20 years into law. Provisions of the tax cuts package that will make housing more affordable include: 

· Housing Development Incentive Program (HDIP) – increases annual program cap from $10 million to $57 million in 2023, and thereafter to $30 million annually. 

· Septic System Tax Credit – Triples the maximum credit available from $6,000 to $18,000 and increases the amount claimable to $4,000 per year, easing the burden on homeowners facing the high cost of septic tank replacement or repair. 

· Rental deduction – increases rental deduction cap from $3,000 to $4,000. 

· Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit – Doubles the credit, from $1,200 to $2,400 for low-income seniors to help minimizes their taxes.  

· Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) – increases annual program cap from $40 million to $60 million 

· Estate Tax – Increases the threshold from $1 million to $2 million with a credit that mitigates the cliff effect. This change brings Massachusetts more in line with other states and keeps pace with the rising value of homes in communities across the state. This reform will allow seniors to pass on generational wealth, making it more attractive to retire and age in Massachusetts and for families to stay geographically close. 

The tax cuts package included necessary support for families, seniors and businesses as well. On October 5, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll visited Gardner Elementary School and the Haverhill YMCA to celebrate the nation’s most generous Child and Family Tax Credit. On October 10, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll visited the Northborough Senior Center to celebrate doubling the Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit and additional tax cuts to save seniors money. On October 18, Governor Healey and Lieutenant Governor Driscoll visited St. Mary’s the Morningstar in Pittsfield to celebrate savings for senior homeowners. Earlier today, the Governor highlighted her efforts to make housing more affordable on the Cape in Yarmouth. Additional visits will be planned in the coming days to celebrate relief for businesses and more.  

 

Factorial 慶十週年 麻州長Healey 親臨 Methuen 固態電動車電池新址剪綵 (視頻)

Factorial 慶10週年，Metheun市新址剪綵。 (周菊子攝)

              (Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導) 致力於成本效益及能量密度更高，重量更輕的固態電動車電池企業Factorial ，10月23日在麻州州長Maura Healey，國會議員Lori Trahan，Methuen市長等政要到賀中，慶祝10週年，並為Methuen新址開張剪綵。

              全球社會正在向電動車社會邁進，電動車電池的效率及安全於焉更受重視，Factorial 的固態電池最近通過了UN 38.3 安全評估，成為同類產品中通過這測試的第一家公司，因而備受矚目。

麻長 Maura Healey 看Factorial 固態電動車電池電池樣品。(周菊子攝)

              Factorial採用類似塑膠聚合物製造的固態電池，能量密度可比一般鋰電池高50%，耐高溫到將近華氏400度，和現有鋰離子電池製造設備高度相容，其電池續航力在今年1月十，已從早前的40安培小時，提升至100安培小時。

Factorial 共同創辦人暨執行長黃思宇 (Siyu Huang)。 (周菊子攝)

              麻州州長Maura Healey在剪綵儀式致詞中強調，她要把麻州打造成全美第一的清潔能源州，Factorial這類企業正是麻州熱誠歡迎的公司。

              Factorial 在麻州企業發展辦公室，Methuen經濟及社區發展局的協助下，投資4500萬元在Methuen設置，佔地67000平方英尺的新廠，用於陸續進行第一、二、三期的批量測試，估計可為麻州帶來166個新的工作機會。

              2021年1月時，Factorial 募得2億元營運資金，投資者包括Mercedes-Benz，總部在荷蘭的恆星 (Stellantis)，以及Hyundai。

Factorial 共同創辦人暨科技長于英超 (Alex Yu)。(周菊子攝)

              Factorial的3名共同創辦人，執行長黃思宇 (Siyu Huang) ，科技長于英超 (Alex Yu) 和顧問

Héctor D. Abruña  都來自康乃爾大學，過去這10年來，起初在紐約、麻州兩地來回，如今在麻州屋本 (Woburn)、Billerica，以及Methuen等市鎮，設有公司總部及研發，製造廠。(更新版)

國會議員 Lori Trahan (右) 致詞。 (周菊子攝)

麻州宣佈高等及中小學教育公平準則

 GOVERNOR HEALEY AND ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMPBELL ISSUE  

JOINT GUIDANCE TO AFFIRM AND STRENGTHEN EQUITY EFFORTS  

IN HIGHER EDUCATION, K-12 SCHOOLS 

 

BOSTON – In the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action in higher education, Governor Maura T. Healey and Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell have issued joint guidance to support the Commonwealth’s higher education and K-12 institutions in their work to further equal access and representation in post-secondary education in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on race-conscious admissions. AG Campbell and Governor Healey announced the new guidance earlier today when speaking to K-12 and higher education leaders and school admissions and counseling staff at a statewide convening at UMass Boston. 

The joint guidance, which builds on recommendations released by the Biden Administration in August and September, emphasizes the importance of improving student pathways from high school to college. It focuses on steps institutions of higher education can continue to take to break down barriers and enhance access for historically underrepresented students in higher education. It also includes ways that colleges and universities can work with K-12 schools and steps elementary and secondary schools should take to foster a safe and supportive environment and ensure equal opportunity for all students in preparation for college and career. 

“Our administration is proud to be partnering with Attorney General Campbell and her team to advance guidance to help schools, colleges and universities create equitable access to education. No Supreme Court ruling can change the fact that educators, counselors, and leaders in schools from kindergarten all the way through college can expand pathways for students from underrepresented background to pursue higher education,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Together, we will ensure that all students – including students of color, LGBTQ+ students, first generation students – have access to and feel welcomed and valued at our colleges and universities.” 

“I am grateful to be partnering with the Governor and her administration to issue this guidance which provides specific details on how our higher education institutions can continue to legally remove barriers to access, and how our K-12 systems can strengthen their ongoing efforts to provide a safe, high quality academic and supportive environment for all students,” said AG Campbell. “My office will use every tool available to support these efforts because we understand the tremendous value that diversity brings, and the ongoing reality of the racial inequities that exist in this country and Massachusetts.” 

“The guidelines we are releasing today strengthen the commitments to educational equity that we’ve made through our historic FY24 budget, which supported programs like Early College and made higher education affordable for more learners across Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. “By collaborating with our K-12 schools and higher education leaders, we will continue to break down barriers to higher education so that all students see themselves represented in both our campus communities.”   

The statewide convening grew out of the Advisory Council for the Advancement of Representation in Education that Governor Healey launched this June in anticipation of the Supreme Court’s ruling on race-conscious admissions and was organized in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General, Executive Office of Education, Department of Higher Education and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. At the convening, attendees from K-12 schools and colleges took part in panel discussions and breakout sessions about increasing educational equity with a focus on strengthening K-12 to college pathways in their region. 

“I’m thrilled that the Advisory Council on Advancing Representation in Education has already led to such fruitful discussion between our admissions counselors and folks in the higher education space and our K-12 administrators and educators. The work that occurred in today’s statewide convening, guided by the strong guidance from our administration and the attorney general’s office, will be critical to build off of as we strive to ensure every Massachusetts student, regardless of background, can access the higher education or career they dream of,” said Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler. 

In June, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. the University of North Carolina ruling that the race-conscious admissions systems used by UNC and Harvard violated federal law. The decision limits the ability of higher education institutions to consider an applicants’ race in and of itself as a factor in deciding whether to admit the applicant. 

 Today’s guidance is meant to affirm that even in the face of the Supreme Court’s decision, there are approaches consistent with the decision that higher education institutions can and should adopt to advance diversity, break down barriers, and increase access for historically underrepresented groups. These approaches include: 

• Institutions may use admissions criteria that look beyond traditional measures such as grades to more holistic ones that allow for consideration of applicants’ life experiences more generally, including their experiences linked to their race and how those experiences shaped their lives and the unique contributions they can make to campus. 

• Institutions may choose to audit their existing admissions processes, practices, and criteria to identify potential barriers to access for historically underrepresented students and use the Court’s decision as an opportunity to retool operations in ways that better align with their institutional mission.  More specifically, institutions can reconsider and recalibrate criteria that have generally created barriers for certain student groups, such as application fees, early admissions plans, legacy preferences, testing requirements, athletic preferences, curricular requirements, and grade thresholds. 

• Institutions may continue to collect data based on race and ethnicity, and other aspects of identity, but institutions may not provide an advantage to an individual applicant solely and specifically on the basis of the data collected about their race. 

• Institutions may make specific efforts to reach particular groups as part of a comprehensive approach to conducting outreach to potential applicants. Additionally, institutions may continue to target outreach to potential applicants based on a wide range of characteristics and expand outreach by increasing the number and types of high school and organization visits during the recruiting season. 

• Institutions may continue to make every effort to recruit and support transfer students, including learners from the Massachusetts community colleges. 

• Institutions may engage in practices that develop robust relationships with middle schools and high schools, with particular emphasis on those schools with historically low college-going rates.   

Additionally, the guidance affirms that K-12 administrators, teachers, counselors and staff should be confident that they may continue to carry out the vitally important work of preparing all students for college and career in a safe and supportive school environment. This may mean taking targeted action so that students from underserved communities, including communities of color, are aware of, have access to, and can participate in these courses and programs. To do this, it is imperative K-12 schools continue to provide all students with access to the course work, instruction, enrichment opportunities, counseling, and other preparatory program, such as: 

• My Career and Academic Plan (MyCap), a student-centered holistic, multi-year planning tool designed to provide middle and high school students with ongoing opportunities to plan for their academic, personal/social and career success in high school and beyond; 

• Making available online college and career planning resources, that can help students and their families successfully navigate the college application and selection process, empowering them to envision the future that they deserve; 

• Providing comprehensive counseling and coursework that prepares students for post-secondary education; 

• Early College programs, which provide students with the opportunity to take college courses and earn credits at no cost before they graduate high school; 

• Innovation Career Pathways program which provides workforce learning options to high school students, including learning opportunities in Advanced Manufacturing, Information Technology, Environmental and Life Sciences, Health Care and Social Assistance, Business and Finance, and Clean Energy;   

• Expanding access to Advanced Placement (AP), dual enrollment, and other advanced course work during high school; specifically for the expansion of AP courses taking advantage of DESE’s commitment to provide AP exam fee subsidies for all low-income public school students; and 

• Providing students a rigorous high school course of study such as MassCore which aligns with college admissions standards. 

K-12 schools should continue to take affirmative steps to create and maintain a positive school climate where all students feel safe, supported, respected and ready to learn. This includes reviewing current practices to ensure they comply with all applicable anti-discrimination, anti-bullying and civil rights laws. 

The Attorney General’s Office offers best practices to help administrators, teachers and school staff meet their obligations and address bias, hate and prejudice in K-12 schools. 

紐英崙至孝篤親公所百年慶 (黃定國圖片輯)