麻州政府將投資5000萬元安裝電動車充電樁

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces $50 Million Investment in Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

Programs include a curbside charging pilot for renters, expanded charging infrastructure for the state fleet, support for TNC charging needs, and mobile chargers for medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles 

BOSTON – The Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced an investment of $50 million in initiatives to build out electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across Massachusetts. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will increase access to charging infrastructure for more residents, electrify the state fleet, improve operation of public charging stations, manage the impact of charging infrastructure on the electric grid, and provide charging solutions for difficult to electrify vehicle types.  

“State and rideshare vehicles contribute a disproportionate amount of transportation emissions, so by investing in the electrification of these vehicles, we can have a much more cost-effective impact on emissions,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is committed to leading by example in addressing climate change, and we are pleased that these funds will also allow Massachusetts to more quickly electrify its fleet.” 

“Many Massachusetts drivers want to make the switch to electric vehicles, but worry about access to charging,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This investment will break down barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption and help Massachusetts meet its ambitious greenhouse gas emissions targets.” 

The $50 million in ARPA funds will support innovative EV technology programs at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), charging infrastructure investments for the state fleet through Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and the Department of Energy Resources (DOER), testing equipment and staff at the Division of Standards (DOS) to conduct inspections of public charging stations, and future analysis of EV charging needs by the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council (EVICC).

“Vehicle emissions not only contribute significantly to climate change, but also impact public health, especially in environmental justice communities,” said Secretary for Energy and Environmental Affairs Rebecca Tepper. “With this funding, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is creating more equitable access to clean transportation and ensuring drivers in all communities across Massachusetts have the option to choose an electric vehicle.” 

“This funding will help make a bigger impact in the lives of our residents across the state as it relates to the future of transportation,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “Taking the steps to increase measures like fast-charging stations and decarbonization will position us to offer better choices to residents that will be good for the environment and for us as we all work to respond to climate change.” 

“Decarbonization and addressing climate change are core priorities of DCAMM’s operations,” said DCAMM Commissioner Adam Baacke. “We are excited to be a part of this important investment in EV charging infrastructure.”   

“This significant investment from the Healey-Driscoll Administration will help make the transition to electric vehicles a more accessible and affordable opportunity for the Commonwealth’s residents and business owners,” said MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “These ARPA funds will directly impact our work to increase curbside charging stations, expand mobile charging for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, speed up the electrification of taxi and rideshare fleets, and advance emerging technology that allows EV owners to use their car to power other sources." 

The following initiatives will receive funding: 

Electric Vehicle Curbside Parking for Residents in Multi-Unit Dwellings - $12.5 million 

MassCEC will work to help municipalities expand access to EV charging for residents with limited access to home charging, particularly in environmental justice and urban communities. Pole-mounted and streetlight chargers represent a promising strategy to use existing assets to expand access to curbside charging, but this potential is limited by barriers such as regulatory hurdles, complex ownership structures and unclear business and financial models. 

The project aims to increase the number of overnight curbside charging stations, including accessible pole-mounted and streetlamp EV charging solutions. A technical consultant will deploy on-street charging near multi-unit dwelling neighborhoods and provide guidance to municipalities for future implementation. 

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Electrification Mobile Charging Solutions - $9.5 million 

Medium and Heavy-Duty (MDHD) vehicles make up 3% of Massachusetts vehicles, yet produce 20% of on-road vehicle emissions, making their electrification critical to reaching the state’s climate goals and to improve air quality in environmental justice communities, especially those near warehouses and ports. One major challenge to achieving electrification in this sector is project delays due to limits in grid infrastructure. Mobile charging represents a promising technology that could help fleet operators avoid delays and resist the urge to overbuild through temporary mobile charging solutions. MassCEC will complete a market characterization study paired with deployment projects to demonstrate mobile charging financial models and use cases.  

Ride-For-Hire Vehicle Electrification Charging Solutions - $8 million 

Uber, Lyft and taxi drivers drive a lot of miles, spend a lot of money on gasoline, and need a lot of charging. MassCEC will deploy EV charging to support the electrification of taxi and transportation network company (TNC) fleets. Electrification of this sector can help support the deployment of electric vehicles in urban areas and environmental justice communities. For example, studies in California show that while TNC drivers make up less than 3% of electric vehicle (EV) drivers, they account for over 40% of all public fast charger use. This project will fund level 2 and fast charging infrastructure projects with a focus on deploying charging resources in environmental justice communities, where a high percentage of TNC drivers reside.  

Vehicle-To-Everything (V2X) Analysis and Demonstration Projects - $8 million 

The widespread deployment of bidirectional technology would allow EV owners to use their car battery as a resource to reduce home energy costs or sell electricity onto the grid. V2X systems both charge and discharge an EV’s battery, enabling EVs to act as a grid resource by sending energy stored in the onboard battery to the local utility grid or to a grid-connected asset such as a building. This would have the potential transform our relationship with the grid, providing EV drivers with a mobile source of storage and opening up potential revenue streams to support EV adoption for low-income drivers. MassCEC will complete a market characterization analysis and demonstration projects that support vehicle-to-grid and/or vehicle-to-building projects designed to reduce peak demand and provide grid services.  

EV Charging at Priority State Facilities - $9.5 million 

DCAMM will seek to install fleet EV charging infrastructure in 60 or more high priority sites at state facilities. Each site would receive an average of 4 EV ports and 4 make-ready spots, making it easy to double the number of charging stations in the future. 

EV Charging for Other State Vehicles - $1.5 million 

DOER will provide funding to other agencies to install fleet EV charging infrastructure at approximately 60 sites, focusing on those not on the high priority list, non-executive branch fleets, and leased facilities. 

EV Charging Testing Equipment – $604,000 

DOS will purchase EV charging infrastructure testing equipment and hire staff to conduct inspections of public charging stations to ensure that they remain in working order and adhere to a common set of standards. 

EV Charging Needs Analysis - $396,000 

This funding will support the analytical needs of the EVICC through the end of 2026 to help it continue to assess the current state of EV charging infrastructure and future needs of Massachusetts as it promotes the electrification of the transportation sector. 

Background on Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Coordinating Council 

The EVICC was authorized by “An Act Driving Clean Energy and Offshore Wind” in 2022. The Climate Law requires that the EVICC assess and report on strategies and plans necessary to deploy electric vehicle charging infrastructure to establish an equitable, interconnected, accessible and reliable electric vehicle charging network. Since convening in May, the EVICC has held 10 public meetings on state EV infrastructure strategy. 

In August 2023, the EVICC submitted an Initial Assessment to the Legislature which found that approximately 10,000 publicly accessible fast charging ports will be necessary to support the light-duty vehicle fleet by 2030, in addition to 35,000 publicly accessible Level 2 stations and more than 700,000 residential and workplace charging stations. 

Earlier this year, the Administration expanded the Massachusetts Offers Rebates for Electric Vehicles Program (MOR-EV Program), which provides rebates for the purchase or lease of light-, medium-, and heavy-duty battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles (EVs). In addition to the existing $3,500 rebates for EVs, the new MOR-EV program includes the rebates at the point-of-sale with participating dealers, a $3,500 rebate for used EVs for income-qualifying residents, a $1,500 rebate adder for income-qualifying residents called MOR-EV+ that is in addition to the standard rebate for new or used electric vehicles; and increased rebates for certain light-duty pickup trucks. 

“These initiatives tackle huge issues, like the convenience of charging for condo and apartment dwellers, the greening of Uber and Lyft, the task of keeping chargers in good working order, and the electrification of heavy-duty trucks. Ambitious stuff,” said State Senator Mike Barrett (D-Lexington), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. 

"Investing in EV infrastructure could not be more critical at this juncture to address the range and charging anxiety that makes drivers hesitate when deciding whether to purchase an electric vehicle," said State Representative Jeffrey N. Roy (D-Franklin), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. "I thank the Administration for building on the Legislature's work in creating the charging infrastructure fund by developing targeted investments in curbside charging, fleet charging, medium- and heavy-duty mobile charging, and other innovation solutions to help Massachusetts drivers get into EVs." 

Governor Healey Nominates Appeals Court Associate Justice Gabrielle R. Wolohojian to Supreme Judicial Court

Governor Healey Nominates Appeals Court Associate Justice Gabrielle R. Wolohojian to Supreme Judicial Court 

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey today nominated Massachusetts Appeals Court Associate Justice Gabrielle R. Wolohojian to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Judicial Court. This is Governor Healey’s second nomination to the state’s highest court.   

 

“There is no one more qualified or better prepared to serve on the Supreme Judicial Court than Justice Wolohojian. She will bring over three decades of broad trial and appellate experience, including sixteen years on the Appeals Court,” said Governor Healey. “Justice Wolohojian has served on the Appeals Court with distinction and her work is widely respected by members of the bench and bar. She has an exceptional understanding of the law and a strong commitment to the administration of justice. I thank the Supreme Judicial Nominating Commission for their work throughout this process and I am grateful to the Governor’s Council for their careful consideration of her nomination.” 

 

“Justice Wolohojian cares deeply about improving the work of our courts and ensuring that the judiciary serves the public as best it can,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “From chairing the Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Advisory Committee on the Rules of Appellate Procedure, to overseeing the training and mentoring of all new judges on the Appeals Court, Justice Wolohojian has shown an unwavering dedication to improving the functioning ofour courts. Governor Healey and I look forward to the Governor’s Council’s consideration of Justice Wolohojian, who, if confirmed, will be a critically important addition to the Supreme Judicial Court.”   

 

“Justice Wolohojian is uniquely qualified to join the Supreme Judicial Court at a time when it enjoys and is committed to maintaining its reputation as one of the most respected state supreme courts in the country,” said retired Associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Geraldine S. Hines. “This is a difficult job that demands intellectual vigor, respect for the rule of law, an unwavering commitment to equal justice under the law, and an impeccable work ethic. From our time together on the Appeals Court and from my conversations with colleagues who have continued to serve on the court, I can say that Justice Wolohojian is richly blessed with these qualifications, as exemplified in her record of achievement as a lawyer and jurist. She has also mastered the under-appreciated but important skill so critical to appellate judging: the ability to accept and coax consensus from the inevitable debates that arise when seven justices with diverse background, life experiences and judicial philosophies are called upon to decide the difficult and complex issues of law presented to the court.” 

 

The Supreme Judicial Court is Massachusetts's highest appellate court, consisting of the Chief Justice and six Associate Justices. The seven Justices hear appeals on a broad range of criminal and civil cases from September through May and issue written opinions that are posted online.  

 

Justice Wolohojian is nominated to fill the seat vacated by Justice David A. Lowy, who retired from the Supreme Judicial Court in February 2024.   

 

About Justice Gabrielle R. Wolohojian:   

 

Gabrielle Wolohojian was appointed to the Appeals Court in February 2008. Since her appointment, she has sat on over 2,700 appeals and authored over 900 decisions. She serves as the Chair of the Supreme Judicial Court’s Advisory Committees on the Rules of Appellate Procedure, and the Chair of the Appeals Court’s Committees on Judicial Mentoring and Training, Education, Policies and Practices, and En Banc Rehearings. Justice Wolohojian is a regular speaker on appellate practice.  

 

Born in New York, and the granddaughter of Armenian immigrants, Justice Wolohojian received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Rutgers University in 1982; a Ph.D. in English language and literature from the University of Oxford in 1987; and a J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1989, where she was an editor of the Columbia Law Review. After graduation from law school, she served as a law clerk, first to Judge Rya Zobel of the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, then to Judge Bailey Aldrich of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.  

 

In 1991, Justice Wolohojian joined the Boston law firm of Hale and Dorr (now known as WilmerHale), where she became a partner in the firm's litigation department. Her practice focused on complex commercial litigation in State and Federal courts, including product liability cases, consumer class actions, false advertising claims, and other business and consumer transactions. In 1994, Justice Wolohojian left the firm to serve as an associate independent counsel on the Whitewater investigation, returning to her practice sixteen months later.  

 

An accomplished violinist, Justice Wolohojian regularly plays and performs with orchestras, including playing with the Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra since 1989. She previously served as President of the Board of Directors of the Boston Civic Symphony Orchestra. Since 2005, Justice Wolohojian has served as an Overseer of From the Top, a nationally-distributed radio program focusing on young children playing classical music.  

波士頓市撥發170萬元青年發展補助金給24機構

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES GRANTEES OF LATEST YOUTH DEVELOPMENT FUND, TOTALLING $1.7 MILLION Grants distributed to 88 organizations to support youth engagement programming

BOSTON - Tuesday, February 6, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the recipients of  $1.7 million in grants to youth development organizations through the city’s Youth Development Fund (YDF), a grant program that supports non-profit organizations to provide high quality, engaging programming for youth and young adults ages 14-24. The goal of this grant is to increase the variety of free youth programming in the City and provide a positive outlet for youth outside school hours. The selected organizations can be found here. “The future of Boston lies in the hands of our youth and our commitment to their growth,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Through the Youth Development Fund, we are investing in community organizations focused on creating fun, safe and engaging programming for our youth, allowing for more opportunities for advancement and empowerment. We’re grateful to all our partners for their commitment to our young people in the City of Boston.” This year’s grants prioritize programs that support Mayor Wu’s Connect, Learn, Explore: Commitment to Youth, a commitment to giving Boston youth an opportunity to explore and discover their passions. This commitment aims to increase access for youth to sports, swimming, arts, growing food and biking. This year’s YDF allocation provides $550,000 for community-based youth sports programs, $400,000 for arts programming, and $170,000 for programs that introduce youth to cooking and growing their own food.  “I’m excited that the Youth Development Fund is aligned around the Mayor’s commitment to support the healthy development for youth in key areas of growth,” said José F. Massó, Chief of Human Services. “Making investments today in skill-building for young people will make Boston stronger now and in the future.”  The 2024 YDF funds three tracks of grantees: Emerging Leader Grantees, which are generally eligible for grants up to $10,000; Uplift Grantees, which receive up to $20,000; and Sustaining Grantees up to $30,000 which are available to the largest organizations. Grantees qualify for each track based on their organizational budget.  The new approach to YDF is intended to increase opportunities for small nonprofits to grow and thrive in Boston through the Emerging Leader Learning Community. In addition to funding, the Emerging Leader grantees will receive a tailored curriculum to help advance their skills, increase their organizational capacity, and create durable connections among the cohort. The Emerging Leader cohort will be made up of 24 organizations. They will meet once a month to learn business management skills, be paired with a mentor from a larger nonprofit organization, and be given the opportunity to network with other nonprofit leaders in Boston. Successful applicants in the two other tracks of the grant may be asked to serve as panelists in the learning sessions or as mentors for the Emerging Leaders.  “We are thrilled to join the Emerging Leader Learning Community, a program that aligns perfectly with Jamad Basketball Camps' vision of growth and community power,” said Jamad Fiin, Founder of Jamad Basketball Camps. “This opportunity to collaborate and learn from fellow leaders and seasoned experts in Boston is invaluable. We look forward to this journey of shared learning and to further amplify our impact of breaking barriers in sports.” This year’s applicant pool numbered more than 200 applications, which was narrowed through a review process that considered each program’s potential to contribute to the Mayor’s Connect, Learn, Explore initiative as well as positive youth development. The programs funded will serve all neighborhoods in the city, with a higher number available to youth in Dorchester, Roxbury and Mattapan. These investments dovetail with the City’s goal of providing high quality out of school time programming in addition to building connections with youth-serving organizations across the city.  “It’s great to see the YDF continue its long tradition of strong support and partnership with youth-serving organizations,” said Pedro Cruz, Executive Director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement. “I’m excited to see that programming will be expanded in every neighborhood and that the City is working to enhance the capacity of emerging leaders in the youth space.” This year’s YDF grantees will enhance the landscape of positive youth development opportunities that are available to young people in Boston. Research shows that positive youth development programs help youth to develop their social skills, form healthy relationships with their peers and with caring adults. YDF grantees seek to meet youth where they are - in neighborhoods and schools.  For more information about YDF, please visit here. For more information about grant opportunities at the City of Boston, please visit here.

波士頓市23、28、29號巴士免費搭乘計畫再延兩年

(Boston Orange 摘譯) 波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 2月6日宣佈，從2022年3月起施行的23、28、29號公車免費搭乘計畫十分成功，原訂今年2月結束試行的這免費搭乘計畫，將展延至2026年3月。                吳弭市長當年和羅倫斯市市長Dan Rivera一席深談後，決定動用來自ARPA的聯邦經費，每月支付35萬元，補貼MBTA可能損失的車費收入，在波士頓市約一半乘客為低收入人士的23，28，以及29號巴士線，試行免費搭乘計畫。                波士頓市府的數據是，從試驗計劃施行以來，搭乘率上升了20%，MBTA也證實，28號公車的搭乘率顯著增加。在去年10月份的第一個星期中，28號巴士平均每天有11,184人搭乘，而在試行免費搭乘計畫以前，在非假日期間，每天約有7.695人搭乘。               從2022年春以來，共有120萬人搭乘了這些免費巴士。估計為乘客節省了共600萬元，其中有約50%的乘客，平均一個月可節省35元。其他沒能節省到的乘客，大都是因為買了月票，套票，以便搭乘或轉乘其他路線的巴士。               麻州地鐵 (MBTA)的數據顯示，23號公車的搭乘率已回到疫情前的94%，28號公車的搭乘率則視疫情前的102%，29號公車在2023年10月份的數據為恢復到疫情前的64%。               波士頓市府表示，自從波士頓市於2022年3月施行3條路線公車免費搭乘後，全國各地都在關注，每年為280名乘客服務的Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVA Transit)，也從2022年3月開始實施全線免費搭乘計畫。宜居街道聯盟 (LivableStreet Alliance)主任Stacy Thompson指出，波士頓，Merrimack Valley, 屋斯特 (Worcester)，以及全國的許多其他地區，都在人們極度懷疑中，展現了強大領導力。過去這幾年來，數以千計的快樂巴士乘客證明了免費巴士士增加搭乘率，紓緩許多人的財務負擔的好方法。               根據網路資訊，在麻州，現有波士頓市，布魯克蘭鎮，劍橋市實施免費搭乘計畫，在美國各地有華府特區，維琴尼亞州的Alexandria，俄亥俄州的Akron，新墨西哥州的Albuquerque，阿肯薩州的Fayetteville，科羅拉多州的Avon，馬里蘭州的巴爾摩 (Baltimore)，蒙他拿州的Bozeman等，也都有免費搭乘的做法。 MAYOR WU EXTENDS FREE FARES ON BUS ROUTES 23, 28, AND 29 FOR TWO MORE YEARS More than 12 million trips taken on three free routes, creating an estimated savings of more than $6 million for riders

BOSTON - Tuesday, February 6, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced the City of Boston is extending the successful fare free bus program on Routes 23, 28, and 29 until March of 2026. The current fare free program on these three MBTA routes, announced early in Mayor Wu’s administration, was set to end in late February of 2024. Today the Mayor announced the City will continue to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to reimburse the MBTA for an additional two years. These bus routes run along some of the highest ridership bus corridors in the City of Boston, with over half of riders on Routes 23, 28, and 29 classified as low income. The fare free program has saved transit-critical riders money, increased ridership on these routes, and maintained steady travel times despite an influx of riders. “Fare free bus routes have been proven to make public transportation more convenient, accessible, and affordable for our residents who depend on transit to get to work and school,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Community members have emphasized that this program helps them save money, and encourages more trips without worrying about exact change or rationing travel. Since this program started, we have seen similar initiatives take off around the Commonwealth and the country. I’m thankful to our partners at the MBTA and the Healey administration for our ongoing collaborative work to improve transportation options throughout our City.” “Fare free buses simplify the riding experience and make trips faster and more reliable,” said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets. “They help riders spend less time and money commuting and allow them to spend more time with their families. We thank the MBTA for their partnership with this pilot and look forward to learning more about how fare free transit can positively impact our city streets.” “We are thankful to Mayor Wu and the City of Boston for their continued support,” said Phillip Eng, MBTA General Manager and CEO.“We have a common goal in making mass transit more affordable. Our combined efforts, from Boston’s fare-free bus program to Governor Healey’s proposed Low Income Fare Program, are benefiting communities who take all different modes of transit – buses, subways, commuter rail, ferries, or paratransit. We are improving people’s quality of life and making a real difference, building a more equitable and affordable transportation system network for all who depend on it.” The City of Boston worked with Stantec to measure how free fares are saving more riders money and time while increasing ridership on these three bus routes. Over the course of the program (since spring 2022), more than 12 million trips were taken on the free routes creating an estimated savings of more than $6 million for riders. About 50% of riders are saving money, on average, saving $35 per month (as of fall 2023).  The other half of riders are not saving money because they purchase a pass or always transfer to another transit service.   According to data from the MBTA, Route 23 is at 94% of pre-pandemic ridership, Route 28 is at 102%, and Route 29 is at 64% (as of October 2023). Average dwell times have decreased on Routes 23 and 28. The City will use $350,000 per month in ARPA funding for the extension of the program.  “I just thank God for it because even though I have a car, I don't like driving my car all the time because you got to keep paying for gas,” said Arrachael Miller, a rider of the fare free bus. “It is a struggle when you don't have income coming in on the regular. To have a free bus is really good.” Fare free programs have been gaining momentum around Massachusetts and nationally since the City of Boston launched three free routes in March of 2022. Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVA Transit), which serves about 2.8 million riders a year, adopted free fares on all its bus and paratransit routes in March of 2022.  “Boston, Merrimack Valley, Worcester and many other communities across the country have demonstrated bold leadership in the face of strong skepticism,” said Stacy Thompson, Executive Director of LivableStreets Alliance. “But the last few years, and thousands of happy bus riders, have proven that fare free buses are a straightforward way to increase transit ridership, ease financial burden for many, and bring a little joy back to the T. The success of Boston’s fare free bus program is undeniable and we’re thrilled that Boston is extending this program.” “MeVa Transit—the regional transit authority serving the sixteen cities and towns in the Merrimack Valley—has been fare free systemwide since March of 2022 and the results have been unassailable. Since going fare free, fixed route bus ridership through December 2023 has more than tripled and now exceeds pre-pandemic levels by over 60%, while passenger complaints are down a third,” said Noah Berger, MeVA Administrator. “Bus trips are faster and drivers are happier because they no longer have to police the fare policy—as a result, we are one of the few transit authorities across the country that has been able to grow its driver workforce in the midst of a national driver shortage. The origins of MeVa’s fare free initiative trace back to Mayor Wu and a conversation she had, while still a City Councilor, with then Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera at the Commonwealth Summit back in 2019. Inspired by their discussion, Mayor Rivera used City of Lawrence funds to cover the fares on three Lawrence routes—an initiative that three years later was expanded to the entire system, from Andover to Salisbury and everywhere in between. Here in the Merrimack Valley, we are grateful to Mayor Wu for her founding role in bringing free fares to our riders and consider her to be an honorary member of the Merrimack Valley!” The 23 Bus route (Ashmont to Dorchester Center, Grove Hall & Ruggles), the 28 Bus route (Mattapan Square, up Blue Hill Ave. to Nubian Square & Ruggles) and the 29 Bus route (Mattapan Square, up Blue Hill Ave. to Jackson Square) each serve a diverse ridership, and all three travel through and along Blue Hill Avenue, an important corridor connecting riders who are underserved by the existing transit network. These three routes are some of the routes with the highest ridership throughout the City of Boston, running past schools, libraries, and several Boston Housing Authority developments. The extension of fare free bus routes builds on Mayor Wu’s commitment to increase affordable, sustainable, and convenient transportation for Boston’s residents. Mayor Wu recently launched the Commute with Me series on social media, highlighting the daily experiences of Boston residents commuting to work via public transportation. Watch the first two videos here and here. In October, Mayor Wu announced the Boston Bikes Pass, a discounted annual Bluebikes membership for Boston residents that saves residents more than half the cost of the annual rate, and an even more discounted annual pass for income-eligible Boston residents. The City continues to make progress on the Safety Surge announced last spring, installing zones of speed humps and redesigning intersections and traffic signals to slow down traffic on residential streets and reduce conflicts between drivers, pedestrians, and bike riders. For more information on the fare-free bus program and the extension, visit www.boston.gov/free-bus .