Governor Healey Responds to Trump Administration’s Cancellation of $34 Million for Salem Offshore Wind Terminal

Governor Healey Responds to Trump Administration’s Cancellation of $34 Million for Salem Offshore Wind Terminal 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey released a statement today in response to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s decision to cancel funding for port infrastructure projects, including a nearly $34 million investment to the City of Salem to redevelop a vacant industrial facility into an offshore wind terminal. 

“By cancelling this funding, 800 construction workers will lose their jobs, and jobs that would’ve been created in the future won’t happen,” said Governor Healey. “There is nothing wasteful about this project, which has been supported by both a Democratic and Republican Governor. The real waste here is the Trump Administration canceling tens of millions of dollars for a project that is already underway to increase our energy supply and support hundreds of workers and their families. As we head into Labor Day weekend, this action is a slap in the face to the hardworking men and women who keep our nation moving and deserve better than what they’re getting from their federal government.”  

“President Trump just laid off over 800 construction workers on Labor Day weekend by revoking the grant for the expansion of the Port of Salem,” said Frank Callahan Jr, President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Unions. “This is a bad deal for our members and for future energy production in Massachusetts.” 

“President Trump said he was a job creator – he has turned into the biggest job destroyer of any President this country has seen,” said Rodrigo Badaro, President of the North Shore Building Trades Council. “It’s clear ‘Make America Great Again’ doesn’t include construction workers on the Norh Shore.” 

“The construction industry already has enough uncertainty right now. Cancelling federal investment for a significant project like the one in Salem is alarming,” said Joe Byrne, Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. “It will cost local workers good jobs and good paychecks, which are not easy to replace. It puts at risk the additional development that always follows infrastructure projects. Federal investments in infrastructure have always been reliable backstops and stimulants for the economy. We worry that may no longer be the case.” 

Healey-Driscoll Administration Observes Overdose Awareness Day and Upcoming Recovery and Prevention Months

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Observes Overdose Awareness Day and Upcoming Recovery and Prevention Months 

BOSTON (August 29, 2025) – Family members and friends of those who have died from overdoses gathered today on Boston Common with public officials and community members from across Massachusetts to observe Overdose Awareness Day, an annual international event held in remembrance of lives lost to overdose. More than 22,000 purple flags were planted in memory of Massachusetts residents who have lost their lives from overdoses over the past decade.

 

“Overdose Awareness Day is a somber reminder of the hope and resilience that exists alongside the grief of losing a loved one to overdose,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Just one loss to overdose is too many, and Massachusetts remains committed to investing in evidence-based approaches to promote harm reduction, treatment, recovery, and prevention.”

 

“Today, we remember the lives lost and the families forever changed as a result of drug overdose,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Overdoses are preventable, and in honoring those we have lost, we also reaffirm our commitment to supporting proven strategies that aim to reduce stigma and help save lives.”

 

A collaborative effort of the Department of Public Health (DPH), Boston Public Health Commission, and Boston Medical Center, the event, now in its fourth year, joins others across the state and the nation in raising awareness of the sweeping impacts of overdose deaths on individuals, families, and communities.

 

Following a moment of silence in memory of those lost, Secretary of Health and Human Services Kiame Mahaniah, MD, State Representative Kate Donaghue, Commissioner of Public Health Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD, Boston Public Health Commissioner Bisola Ojikutu, MD, MPH, and Director of DPH’s Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) Deirdre Calvert, MSW, LICSW, participated in a poignant ceremony, and pointed to the recent encouraging downward trends in overdose deaths in the state as both a source of hope and a call for continued efforts to prevent overdoses.

 

According to CDC data released in May, opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts decreased by 36.3 percent in 2024, falling to the lowest levels since 2013.

 

“This encouraging news is a testament to the tireless dedication of the providers, programs, peers, and community members who do this work each and every day,” said Secretary Mahaniah. “And while a source of hope, these trends are also a call to action to the state to reaffirm its commitment to supporting and expanding access to the resources that we know work to prevent overdose, reduce harm, and promote dignity for those who use substances.”

 

August 31 has been officially proclaimed as Overdose Awareness Day in the Commonwealth since 2022. Secretary Mahaniah presented this year’s proclamation to Michelle and David Dunn, who, following the 2013 opioid overdose death of their daughter, Alyssa, established Alyssa’s Place, a volunteer-driven peer recovery and resource center in Gardner.

 

The commemorative flags, along with resource tables offering harm reduction, substance use prevention, and recovery support resources, will remain in place on the Common through September 2.

 

“Recent trends show us that when we invest in harm reduction and in approaches that promote the health and safety of those who have substance use disorders, it works,” said Commissioner Goldstein. “The flags planted here today are a reminder of the loss we have experienced and of the work that must continue. We need more harm reduction services, not less. More safe places for people to live. More supportive peer communities that invest in treatment options. These proven and compassionate services can spare more Massachusetts families the heartbreak of losing someone to overdose.”

 

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to supporting public health strategies and resources to address substance use and substance use disorders. The Administration has invested more than $1 billion in substance use prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery programs across the state.

 

Since January 2023, this commitment has included funding six comprehensive mobile addiction treatment programs, over 450,000 naloxone kits for community organizations, 40,000 naloxone kits for first responders, and 905,000 fentanyl test strips for community use. Additional supports include funding SafeSpot, a virtual spotting hotline that as of July 2025 has detected 23 overdoses. Other investments include supporting access to residential, outpatient, and other forms of treatment through the licensing and regulation of approximately 500 treatment programs, and supporting and funding access to low-threshold housing, as well as 39 peer-recovery support centers.

 

“It is impossible to capture the uniqueness of each individual represented by these flags – or the grief that we feel at their loss,” said BSAS Director Calvert. “Overdose Awareness Day represents a time when communities can come together to look to each other for comfort and strength and to draw resilience for the work that lies ahead.”

 

Learn more about Massachusetts’ efforts to address substance use disorders and reduce stigma.

 

International Overdose Awareness Day ushers in a series of related observances throughout the fall. This includes Recovery Month in September, which celebrates stories and strategies of recovery and healing, as well as Prevention Month, which is held in October, with the aim of bringing communities together to highlight the positive effects of prevention efforts and inspire related action. 

 

Learn more about Recovery Month celebrations and events in the state. Prevention Month events information will be available soon.

 

If you are struggling with substance use, or have a family member, a friend, a neighbor, or a colleague who may need help and support, please call the Massachusetts Substance Use Helpline at 800-327-5050, or visit www.helplinema.org.

波士頓警察局長Michael Cox進華埠 邀居民喝咖啡

波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox走進華埠，和民眾晤談。（周菊子攝）

                  (Boston Orange周菊子波士頓報導) 波士頓警察局局長Michel Cox率同約20名警察，來到波士頓華埠，在夏利臣街（Harrisson Ave.）77號樂嚐軒烘培店，擺出印有警徽的保溫杯，拿出麵包和咖啡，邀華埠居民話家常。

來到波士頓華埠的警察們和民眾合影。（周菊子攝）

陳文珊（右二）協助波士頓警察局安排了這場
「和警察喝咖啡」活動。（周菊子攝）

波士頓華埠現有（左起）Steve Chan，黃天輝，周子等至少3名華裔警察巡邏。
（周菊子攝）

                  這是波士頓警察局在每年8月初舉辦的警民聯歡日（National Night Out）之外，和社區民眾拉近關係的「和警察喝咖啡（Coffee with a Cop）」活動，在波士頓警察局的12個分區不定期舉行，又或者是只要有商家或社團願意主辦，警察們就很樂意出來和民眾聊聊天。

紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，波士頓華商會財政余麗瑛等人和
波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox合影。（周菊子攝）

                  波士頓警察局局長Michel Cox說，「和警察喝咖啡」是警察和居民見面，聊天，談合作方式，一起確保社區安全的活動，也給居民機會和巡邏警員，以及更高階警官，甚至警察局局長直接談話，表達各人的關切或憂慮，也可以告訴警察們，他們哪裡做得好，哪裡做得不好。

                  Michael Cox說，這天和他聊天的居民們告訴他，華埠出現過有人吃霸王餐，有人在華埠牌樓附近販賣贓貨等。他很高興居民們告訴他這些情況，這樣警察才能更清楚華埠都面對什麼樣的問題。

          這天來到樂嚐軒烘培店的人，有紐英崙中華公所主席雷國輝，紐英崙至孝篤親公所主席陳秀珍，前主席陳文珊，波士頓華埠商會財政余麗瑛，中文書記翁偉健，理事譚達兒，波士頓華埠社區議會共同主席梅伍銀寬，吳氏思能工程公司的Jack Ng等。

          華埠治安巡邏隊成員，也有曾任中華公所主席的黃兆祥，剛進麻州大學波士頓分校就讀的陳向榮，特地穿著巡邏隊背心來到現場。

包括波士頓警察局社區參與總監，也是紐英崙至孝篤親公所共同主席的陳孔恩，從波士頓警察局借調到波士頓市政府工作的鄺劍峰之外，這天來到現場的華裔警察還有A-1區的黃天輝（Frank Wong），周子（Zi Zou），以及Steven Chan。

銀行分行經理（中）也特地趕來和波士頓警察們合影。（周菊子攝）

中華耆英會主任梅伍銀寬（中）向波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox
介紹她的而子Daniel Moy。

黃兆祥（左）和陳向榮穿上華埠治安巡邏隊的背心出席活動。（周菊子攝）

波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉（右起）和波士頓警察局局長Michael Cox，
波士頓警察局社區參與總監陳孔恩。（周菊子攝）

CITY OF BOSTON RECOGNIZES INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY

 CITY OF BOSTON RECOGNIZES INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY

BPHC and partners to celebrate the importance of recovery and highlight the resources available to residents throughout September to mark National Recovery Month.  

BOSTON - Friday, August 29, 2025 - Today, Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) are remembering those who lost their lives as a result of the opioid epidemic as they mark International Overdose Awareness Day on Sunday, August 31. The City of Boston extends sincere condolences to the neighbors who have experienced the tragedy of losing a loved one to a fatal overdose. Mayor Wu and BPHC are also highlighting their ongoing efforts to expand access to lifesaving care and crucial harm reduction services through events and programming centered around National Recovery Month, which begins on September 1.

Throughout National Recovery Month, BPHC is reminding all Boston residents that the overdose-reversing drug naloxone is safe, easy to use, and widely available. Data analyzed by BPHC found a 38% decrease in fatal overdoses in Boston in 2024 compared to 2023. In 2024, the city also recorded the lowest number of deadly overdoses since 2015.

To mark International Overdose Awareness Day and the start of National Recovery Month, Boston City Hall will be lit in purple on the night of August 31. BPHC and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department are also supporting volunteers and our State and local partners in planting more than 20,000 purple flags on Boston Common. These flags memorialize the lives lost to overdoses in the past decade across our State.  

“Today we are honoring the lives lost to fatal overdoses that have touched every corner of Boston’s communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m grateful for the life-saving work the Boston Public Health Commission and departments across the city are doing to reduce stigma and boost services and treatment. These resources will support individuals living with substance-use disorder as they receive the help they need to lead long and healthy lives.”

“Opioid overdose deaths are tragic, and avoidable,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health for the City of Boston. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in reducing fatal overdoses in our city, and the best way we can honor the lives tragically cut short by the opioid crisis is by continuing to increase access to harm reduction services and treatment for those living with substance use disorder.”  

Over the last year, as part of Boston's Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program, BPHC has worked to set up public health vending machines and naloxone distribution kiosks at existing harm reduction, homeless services, and medical program facilities across the city. BPHC deployed two new public health vending machines this month, one outside NeighborHealth in East Boston and another embedded in the Bridge Over Troubled Waters youth shelter program. East Boston now features Boston’s first outdoor public health vending machine.

Late last year, BPHC also announced $1 million in grants to five community organizations to prevent overdose deaths and provide outreach in neighborhoods with the highest overdose rates. These organizations have worked to connect people to substance use treatment and other services, raise public awareness about overdose prevention, and distribute and train people in how to use naloxone. From January through June 2025, Community Opioid Response agencies reported more than 1,200 client engagements and distributed over 2,100 doses of naloxone. 

Uplifting and celebrating individuals in recovery during National Recovery Month is an important part of Boston’s response to the opioid crisis. The City of Boston and the Boston Public Health Commissioner are partnering with organizations on several activities this September: 

• On September 19, recovery centers from the Boston region will hold a cookout at the Shattuck Picnic area in Franklin Park, featuring music, food, tabling and raffles.

• Nubian Square Recovery Day is September 25 at the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library (BPL). The event is a collaboration between the BPHC, the Nubian Square Task Force, BPL, and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and will feature live arts, food and entertainment, and health resources. 

• Recovery Month Celebration Day is September 26 at the Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common. BPHC and the Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery (MOAR) partner for this event, which uplifts recovery stories and vital services. 

• A calendar of additional Recovery Month events sponsored by BPHC Community Partners can be found here.

The Health Commission has been steadily increasing prevention services throughout Boston by expanding community outreach, housing and mental health services, harm reduction, and support groups. Harm reduction and treatment referrals are available through BPHC’s AHOPE and PAATHS programs. AHOPE offers lifesaving harm reduction services, including syringe exchange, drug checking to identify the presence of fentanyl and xylazine, naloxone distribution, and screening for HIV, hepatitis, and other bloodborne illnesses that can be spread through intravenous drug use. The PAATHS program connects people to a variety of treatment services, including detox, medication for opioid use disorder, and outpatient treatment programs. For support with substance use disorders, contact the PAATHS program at 1-855-494-4057 or 3-1-1. For more information, visit boston.gov/recovery.   

波士頓慈濟辦講座強調親子教育重陪伴 學中文之餘要修品德

波士頓慈濟在僑教中心辦親子教育講座。（周菊子攝）

波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿（左一）和慈濟人文學校校長鄧淑芳（右一）
感謝波士頓僑教中心主任高家富（中）和郭美芳（右二），王昭文（左二）
遠道來分享。（周菊子攝）

        （Boston Orange 周菊子麻州報導）慈濟基金會波士頓聯絡處8月24日舉辦講座，針對父母談親子教育的「相伴成長」，以中文學校老師為目標，闡述「教之以禮、育之以德」，向社區宣揚慈濟教育理念，推廣幸福校園。

        慈濟基金會這次的海外教育巡迴演講，由宗教處，海外事務室歐美非會務組，教聯會合作，派出專長幼兒教育，心理輔導，都曾獲優良教師獎，有30多年教學經驗的的王昭文，郭美芳來到麻州，新澤西州，紐約州分享。

         波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿向波士頓僑教中心主任高家富感謝僑委會在教育資源等各方面的支持之際指出，這次借用僑教中心場地舉辦「親子教育」講座，旨在宣揚“老師心，父母心，菩薩心”的慈濟教育理念。

慈濟人文學校校長鄧淑芳說明，慈濟希望把人文教育推進社區之中。（周菊子攝）

       慈濟人文學校校長鄧淑芳也說明，慈濟的教育注重人文，講究播下愛的種子，這次選擇在僑教中心辦「親子教育」講座，在慈濟牛頓市會所辦「教之以禮，育之以德」講座，也是希望接觸到更多不同人群，把愛與善的種子，播進社區，讓慈濟的幸福校園深入各人家庭，營造共善社區。

波士頓僑教中心主任高家富介紹僑委會的六大訊息平台。（周菊子攝）

慈濟人文學校校長鄧淑芳（又起）和王昭文，郭美芳等2位老師聆聽提問。
（周菊子攝）

         郭美芳的講談主題是「陪伴….看見愛和希望」。她先請出席者一起玩一個“心口合一”的遊戲，接著以自己當年初為人母，心情惶恐，在身為母親，又是老師，妻子，父母的兒女等多重身份中，感受很多壓力為例，闡述她因為當慈濟志工，接觸到證嚴上人所說的“以菩薩的智慧教自己的孩子，以媽媽的愛心教別人的孩子”，了解到父母行為和子女感受之間的關係。她還舉例説父母有過度關注的“直升機”，為子女剷除一切障礙的“割草機”，了解並與子女保持良好互動的“參與型”等幾種類型，家長們不妨先覺察一下自己屬於哪種類型，再來思考如何改善親子關係。

慈濟人文學校校長鄧淑芳介紹慈濟出版的“有禮真好”繪本。（周菊子攝）

        郭美芳以心理學家Erich Fromm的話，“母愛的最困難處，不是撫養小孩子長大，而是協助孩子獨立出去”，以及人的頭腦有左腦管語言，邏輯，秩序，右腦管非語言，經驗，情感等人體結構為例，解釋人的情緒，需要有出口（流動），才能夠幫助小孩子生成自己應對狀況的力量。

         她還請出席者練習“好奇”的開放態度，以“不說道理，不給答案，不給建議”的方式和孩子溝通，並和孩子眼神交流，呼喚名字，互動，給孩子抒發情緒的窗口，在並不放任的原則中，以同理心信任孩子的做個孩子的“神隊友”。

出席活動者玩默契遊戲。（周菊子攝）

         王昭文的講談主題是「散播愛和善的希望種子」。她也請出席者以“感恩”，“尊重”，“愛”等3種手語，先玩一場默契大考驗的破冰遊戲。再以她個人在大家庭長大，同時享有爺爺、奶奶與父母的雙重疼愛，因而從小就學會分享的快樂，知道“施比受有福”為例，提醒人要先學會愛自己，照顧好個人身心，明白負面情緒對孩子的影響。她還以Alfred Adler

慈濟「親子教育」活動現場。（周菊子攝）

這位家庭心理學家的說法，認為孩子在家中的“出生順序”，會對性格產生影響，而且什麼事都有一體兩面，要懂得正向引導，適性發展。

慈濟紐約合心區執行長蘇煜升為品德教育講座開場。（周菊子攝）

    當天下午，波士頓慈濟還在牛頓市會所舉辦了一場「教之以禮、育之以德」講座。在慈濟宗教處精實企劃室文教推展組曹芹甄，海外事務室歐美非會務組江仙竺之外，慈濟全球總督導黃思賢，慈濟美國總會執行長李瓊薰，慈濟紐約合心區執行長蘇煜升，特地趕到波士頓慈濟牛頓會所探視。

         波士頓僑教中心主任高家富出借場地，支援人力，介紹「連結台灣，擁抱世界」的僑委會6大訊息傳播平台。（訂正錯字版）

慈濟全球總督導黃思賢（右起）和波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿

，陳裕逢等人茶敘。（周菊子攝）

波士頓慈濟負責人長金滿（右二）接待慈濟美國總會執行長李瓊薰（右三）
等人到會。（周菊子攝）

Governor Healey Requests President Trump Lower Flags in Observance of International Overdose Awareness Day

  Governor Healey Requests President Trump Lower Flags in Observance of International Overdose Awareness Day 

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey has requested that President Trump lower flags to half-staff on August 31, 2025, in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day and in remembrance of the millions of American lives lost to overdoses.  

“Far too many families have been devastated by overdoses, both here in Massachusetts and across the country,” said Governor Healey. “Lowering the United States and Massachusetts flags will serve as an important reminder for all of us to take time on this day to honor the memories of those who have lost their lives to overdoses and re-commit ourselves to doing the important work of combatting substance use disorder. We cannot afford to look away. I appreciate the President’s careful consideration of our request, and I’m grateful for the advocates who are leading this fight every day.” 

More than one million Americans have lost their lives to overdose since 1999, and the devastating consequences of the overdose crisis can be seen in every community across the country. In the past decade, more than 20,000 people have died from overdoses in Massachusetts alone. 

Under Governor Healey, Massachusetts has made important progress to increase access to prevention, treatment and recovery programs to combat substance use disorder and reduce overdoses. As a result, opioid-related overdose deaths in Massachusetts decreased by 36.3 percent in 2024, falling to the lowest levels since 2013.  

But more work remains to be done to save lives. Last year, in partnership with the Legislature, Governor Healey signed a bill that makes treatment and recovery support more affordable and accessible for residents living with substance use disorder. The legislation expanded access to lifesaving opioid reversal medications like naloxone and ensures that they are covered by health insurance.  

August 31 is recognized as International Overdose Awareness Day, the world’s largest annual campaign to end overdose, remember those who have lost their lives to an overdose, acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind, and renew our commitment to end overdose and related harms. 

Governor Healey Issues Statement on Trump’s Turmoil at the CDC

 Governor Healey Issues Statement on Trump’s Turmoil at the CDC  

BOSTON – Governor Maura Healey issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s destructive actions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including most recently firing CDC Director Susan Monarez and restricting access to COVID-19 vaccines. 

“What Donald Trump and Robert Kennedy are doing at the CDC is wrong and will cost people’s lives – firing the CDC Director, restricting access to lifesaving vaccines, and cutting billions in public health funding,” said Governor Healey. “Here in Massachusetts, we have the best health care in the world, and we invest in public health. We’re going to make sure that people get the vaccines they need – no matter what the Trump Administration does.”

Governor Healey has taken several steps in recent months to ensure that vaccines remain available in Massachusetts. Earlier this month, she proposed giving the state Department of Public Health (DPH) authority to set independent standards for vaccine recommendations rather than rely on the federal government’s recommendations. Massachusetts is also leading a bipartisan coalition of states to coordinate on vaccine recommendations. 

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND SUPERINTENDENT MARY SKIPPER WILL ADOPT RECOMMENDATIONS OF INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

MAYOR MICHELLE WU AND SUPERINTENDENT MARY SKIPPER WILL ADOPT RECOMMENDATIONS OF INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

BPS will adopt the recommendations in Mintz Attorney Natashia Tidwell’s independent review of safety measures under the Boston Public Schools contract with Transdev, commissioned following the death of kindergartener Lens A. Joseph

BOSTON - Thursday, August 27, 2025 - Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Mary Skipper today shared the independent report by Mintz Attorney Natashia Tidwell following her review of safety policies and performance under the contracts with Transdev, and announced the City and BPS will adopt all of the report’s recommendations and will be implementing them as quickly as possible. The decision to initiate an independent review followed the tragic death of Lens A. Joseph, a kindergartener who was struck and killed by his school bus on Monday, April 28. While this review examines BPS and Transdev systems, it was not an investigation of the tragic events of April 28. There is a separate and ongoing investigation into the incident led by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

“On behalf of the entire City and BPS, I want to express my profound condolences to Lens’s family, friends, and everyone who loved him. There are no words that can capture the pain of losing a child. We are determined to make sure that a tragedy like this never happens again,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I want to thank Attorney Tidwell and her team for their diligent work over these past three months. The City and BPS have reviewed the final report, and we will be adopting all of the report’s recommendations to strengthen our system to ensure the safety of every child who begins and ends their day on a BPS school bus.”

“The passing of Lens Joseph was a heartbreaking tragedy that will have an everlasting impact on our school community and city,” said Superintendent Mary Skipper. “Our thoughts remain with Lens’ family, friends, teachers, and all who loved him. Because the safety of our students is our highest priority, the Mayor and I requested the independent review to ensure that we are taking every measure possible to provide the safest experience for our students and families. We have begun taking steps with Transdev and within our own operations to strengthen safety policies, training, and oversight. Our commitment remains to act decisively on these recommendations and to ensure the highest standards of safety for the more than 20,000 Boston students who rely on school transportation every day.”

Several of the recommendations are consistent with improvements already underway as BPS prepares for the first day of school next week. After April 28, BPS Transportation made immediate changes to improve safety, and those changes will be permanent. 

• BPS Transportation and Transdev leadership have added a daily meeting with Transdev safety leads, and the leadership teams collectively review all accidents or safety incidents from the prior day and the follow-up steps being taken. 
• BPS Transportation leadership are now attending all Accident Review Committee meetings with Transdev and the bus drivers union. 
• BPS worked with Transdev to enhance the training that all drivers receive. Four months ago, Transdev introduced a new Professional Operator Development Program ( PODP) to supplement required training for school bus drivers, and it is now being fully implemented. BPS worked with Transdev to increase the number of driver trainers Transdev has in Boston, to accelerate the implementation of the PODP training for all Boston school bus drivers. All Boston school bus drivers are fully credentialed and have received all required training to be driving a school bus in Massachusetts. 

BPS’s implementation of the Tidwell Report recommendations will further strengthen safety provisions established under the new vendor contract with Transdev, which took effect on July 1, 2023. The new contract introduced performance incentives and liquidated damages for non-performance that did not exist in the prior contract. The new contract also added extensive reporting requirements and oversight mechanisms. BPS Transportation’s active management of Transdev has helped achieve meaningful, sustained improvements in on-time performance and operations, which have benefited our students and families.

Tidwell Report Recommendations that BPS will adopt:

• BPS Transportation will bolster existing accountability structures with increased oversight and auditing of Transdev’s licensing and compliance functions. This work has already begun. In the immediate aftermath of the April 28th accident, Transdev conducted an audit of all drivers and confirmed that all drivers on the road had valid and up-to-date licenses and certifications. This summer, as an additional check, Transdev has required all drivers to bring in a hard copy of their credentials. No driver will be allowed to drive this school year until they fulfill that requirement, even if Transdev already has a copy of their valid credentials on file. 
• BPS will also be requiring Transdev to provide a full, updated driver roster with each driver’s credentials prior to the start of the school year, which will allow BPS to conduct additional checks to monitor compliance—including paper reviews and increased auditing of driver files and credentials during unannounced visits to bus yards. 
• BPS will strengthen driver training by adopting the recommendation to increase the number of safety trainers. The new contract required Transdev to more than double the number of safety trainers for drivers from four to 11. This summer, BPS has increased the number of safety trainers from 11 to 15 full-time trainers, and will work with Transdev to maintain that number moving forward. BPS will also closely study whether any additional staffing increases are warranted.
• The Tidwell Report recommendations also highlighted opportunities to strengthen safety provisions in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with drivers, parts of which are decades old. BPS will closely review the recommendations regarding CBA amendments to improve student safety, and will work with Transdev and The Boston School Bus Drivers’ Union to act on those recommendations.

BPS also fully supports the recommendations to streamline Transdev’s electronic record-keeping. BPS will work with Transdev to make it easier to access and update driver files, and will increase ongoing auditing to ensure compliance. The district is pleased that as preparations advance for the first day of school, every role on the Transdev safety team in Boston is staffed. BPS Transportation will work closely with Transdev to immediately address any vacancies with qualified safety professionals.

Boston Public Schools is committed to providing safe, reliable, and on-time transportation for the more than 20,000 students who ride the school bus every day. The “Driving Change: April 2025 Transportation Progress 2022-2025” report documented the on-time performance improvements that have benefited students in recent years, as well as plans for continued, sustainable system improvements. As students prepare to return to the classroom next week, families are encouraged to download the Zum app to view their bus assignment, track their student’s rides, and receive real-time notifications when their student is picked up and dropped off. Families are encouraged to reach out to the BPS Transportation Hotline, at 617-635-9520, with any questions about their student’s transportation.