Eastern Bank Foundation Partners With Community Organizations To Increase Last Mile Vaccination Outreach and Access in Gateway Cities of Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Eastern Bank Foundation Partners With Community Organizations To Increase Last Mile Vaccination Outreach and Access in Gateway Cities of Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Recently announced $2 million in COVID-19 grants support culturally-inclusive outreach and access to vaccines

BOSTON, MA, July 28, 2021 – Eastern Bank Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Boston-based Eastern Bank, recently announced an additional $2 million in COVID-19 support to increase last mile vaccination outreach and access. Vaccination rates, while progressing, also highlight the inequities experienced in communities of color within Gateway Cities of  Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The Eastern Bank Foundation is collaborating with community health centers, foundations, community organizations and other companies to address the disparities and reach populations living in cities with the highest incidence rate of COVID-19 cases to get them access to the vaccine. Philanthropic support is provided in three areas:

1.     Vaccine access—investing in the work of community health centers, mobile vaccination vans and buses, and pop-up vaccination sites;

2.     Culturally-inclusive outreach—investing in grassroots community partners with trusting relationships to the community members they serve, door-to-door outreach, and multilingual vaccination resources; and

3.     Advocacy—partnering with community organizations to advocate for equity in vaccine access for communities of color.

In Massachusetts, grant recipients include:

·       Asian American Civic Association

·       Asian Community Development Corporation

·       Black Boston COVID-19 Coalition (BBCC)

·       Boston Medical Center

·       Community Health Center of Cape Cod

·       The Dimock Center

·       Duffy Health Center

·       East Boston Neighborhood Health Center

·       Essex County Community Foundation

·       GOTVax Campaign

·       Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) Boston

·       La Colaborativa

·       Lawyers for Civil Rights and

·       Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition

In New Hampshire, grant recipients include:

·       Building Community in New Hampshire and

·       International Institute of New England in Manchester

 

“It is clear that COVID-19 is still having its greatest impact in our gateway cities. We are so very thankful to our community health centers, trusted community-based organizations, and public-private partnerships for their focus on last mile vaccination outreach, and their commitment to ensuring no one is left behind,” said Nancy Huntington Stager, President and CEO of the Eastern Bank Foundation. “These next several months are critical to getting as many people as possible vaccinated, and the timing of this grant funding is intended to boost efforts that overcome barriers to vaccination.”

Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, Ph.D. and Chief Executive Officer of Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) Boston, said, “Thanks to the support of the Eastern Bank Foundation we have expanded our efforts to bring expert information to our community about the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine, and to coordinate vaccine appointments and rides to them. It is critical that we keep these vaccination efforts up, as new coronavirus variants take hold in our country, state and community. As we experienced the disproportionate negative impact of the pandemic in low-income communities of color, we are committed to prevent this from happening again.”

Beth Francis, President and CEO of Essex County Community Foundation, said, “With Eastern Bank Foundation’s grant, we are able to expand our efforts to vaccine equity for populations who have been hardest hit by the pandemic. We’re committed to getting underserved communities vaccinated and offering the crucial support needed at this time, and hiring local residents and working with our community health centers and experienced marketing and media partners like Archipelago Strategies Group and El Mundo to get this done in the most meaningful and trusting way possible.”

Angie Liou, Executive Director of Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC), said, “Asian Community Development Corporation is grateful for Eastern Bank Foundation’s commitment to vaccine equity. The Foundation’s generous grant supports our collaborative efforts with community partners in Chinatown, Dorchester, Lowell, Malden and Quincy to serve immigrant communities with the culturally competent services and resources that they need to get vaccinated and stay safe.”

Rick Minard, Executive Director of Building Community in New Hampshire (BCNH), said, “Most members of the refugee communities that BCNH serves have already been vaccinated. The Eastern Bank Foundation donation enables us to mobilize vaccinated community members to reach out to their hesitant neighbors, probably one at a time. BCNH works primarily with Bhutanese, Congolese and Rohingya refugees in Concord, Manchester and Nashua. This project will allow us to include in that community other immigrants and people of color. We expect the impact to be profoundly beneficial.”

In 2020, the Eastern Bank Foundation supported COVID-19 efforts with donations to 665 community-based organizations totaling more than $13 million, in such areas as aid to immigrants, the elderly, victims of domestic violence, mental health services and community health centers, food banks and pantries, multi-service providers and community foundations, early childhood development providers, safe and affordable housing providers, and organizations assisting businesses of color. The $2 million in COVID-19 relief for last mile vaccination efforts brings the Foundation’s total COVID-19 support to $15 million.

Groundbreaking Analysis of Hate Crime Laws Finds Limitations and Opportunities in the Face of Rising Hate Violence

Groundbreaking Analysis of Hate Crime Laws Finds Limitations and Opportunities in the Face of Rising Hate Violence

With a rise in hate violence across the country, a new report from the Movement Advancement Project (MAP) and 16 leading civil rights organizations provides a groundbreaking analysis of state and federal hate crime laws. The report features a foreword by Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard and Board/Chair President of the Matthew Shephard Foundation. (Read the report.)

The partners releasing the report are: Anti-Defamation League, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC), Equality Federation Institute, James Byrd Jr. Center to Stop Hate at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Jews for Racial & Economic Justice, Lambda Legal, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Matthew Shepard Foundation, National Black Justice Coalition, National Center for Lesbian Rights, National Center for Transgender Equality, National Council of Jewish Women, National Disability Rights Network, Sikh Coalition, Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Union of Reform Judaism. (Read statements from these organizations.)

The report provides a comprehensive look at both the opportunities and limitations of hate crime laws as a means of preventing and addressing hate violence. While responding to hate violence is imperative, the report finds that hate crime laws across the country are inconsistent and provide complex and incomplete methods of addressing hate violence. This analysis comes amid a spike in hate crimes in recent years–and as the country is examining racial justice and racial bias in our criminal justice system. 

“At a time of rising hate violence, we need to re-examine and expand our responses. Hate crime laws serve a necessary purpose, but they are inconsistent, sometimes flawed, and can even harm the very communities they are meant to serve. We need to improve our hate crime laws and engage in broader solutions to reducing hate in our country. Like any law, hate crime laws alone won’t fix a problem as large as rising hate violence,” said Ineke Mushovic, Executive Director of MAP, an independent think tank focused on equality for all. 

“We appreciate the coverage of anti-Asian hate violence in the report, including acknowledgement of its roots in U.S. history, the rise in anti-Asian harassment and hate violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, and discussion of how our communities’ responses are not singular or static but continue to evolve. This new report on hate crimes laws from the Movement Advancement Project is an invaluable resource with its analysis of federal and state laws, including synthesis and presentation of a great deal of data in a straightforward and accessible way. This report will be helpful to advocates, policymakers, and community members who wish to gain a better understanding of hate crimes and work toward more effective responses and solutions," said Marita Etcubanez, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC.

Hate Crime Laws Vary Widely Across the Country 
The report finds that federal and state governments vary widely in their responses to hate violence. This complex patchwork means that someone who experiences a hate crime may have a completely different set of protections, options, or access to resources depending on where the crime occurs.  

The report analyzes state hate crime statutes across more than 10 distinct characteristics. The common element across state hate crime laws is the use of criminal punishment, typically through sentencing enhancements.  

Challenges of Addressing Hate Violence Through the Criminal Justice System 
Addressing hate violence when it happens is imperative. State hate crime laws provide avenues for responding to hate crimes, but they also highlight the challenges inherent in the criminal justice system. These challenges illustrate paths forward for both improving hate crime laws and responding more comprehensively to hate violence: 

• Failing to address root causes of violence, as current hate crime laws focus on punishing people charged with hate crimes without challenging underlying biases at the individual and broader societal levels. Additionally, harsher sentencing has not been shown to deter crime. 
• Widespread bias in the criminal justice system results in significant racial disparities, as well as disparities for LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and low-income people. These are often the very communities that are targeted for hate violence. Evidence shows that, for example, even though the majority of hate crimes are committed by white people, many states’ law-enforcement-recorded hate crimes disproportionately list Black people as offenders.  
• Flaws in hate crime data collection and reporting are widespread, and the current system of federal data collection relies only on the voluntary participation of law enforcement. Additionally, victims of hate crimes may be wary of reporting the crime to the police if they do not trust the police.
• Changing the intent of the law, for example, by attempting to add police officers – a profession – as a protected class in hate crime laws, despite the fact that all 50 states already have criminal statutes that specifically address and punish violence against a law enforcement officer.  

Expanding Solutions to Address Hate Violence 
The report highlights opportunities for both improving hate crime laws and better supporting communities affected by hate violence:  

• Investing in communities that are harmed by hate violence, such as people of color, LGBTQ people, people of minority faiths, and disabled people. Expanding nondiscrimination protections and investing in social safety nets will help reduce the instability caused by discrimination. In turn, this reduces vulnerable communities’ exposure to potential violence.  
• Preventing violence through work that not only aims to reduce hate crimes, but also works to reduce hate and violence overall.  
• Improving law enforcement accountability and training, including addressing how law enforcement can disproportionately harm vulnerable communities. 
• Improving data collection can help connect people impacted by hate crimes to resources and support. More robust data can also support more tailored responses to hate violence, track potential disparities or bias in the enforcement of hate crime laws, and evaluate the efficacy of non-carceral responses to hate crime.  
• Shifting focus toward support and healing, such as through expanded measures to support victims and survivors of hate crimes, community education and response strategies, and non-carceral approaches to justice.   

“As our country continues to grapple with racial injustice, bias in the criminal justice system, and rising hate violence against too many communities, it is critical that we reexamine our responses to hate crimes. It’s clear that additional solutions are needed to address hate violence, including a careful review of how hate crime laws in their current and potential forms fit into the work of building safe communities for everyone,” said Mushovic. 

State Agricultural Officials Urge Public to Inspect Boxwood Shrubs for Box Tree Moths

 

State Agricultural Officials Urge Public to Inspect Boxwood Shrubs for Box Tree Moths

Action Needed to Prevent Invasive Pest from Establishing in Massachusetts

 

An Adult box tree moth (wingspan is 1.5 to 1.75 inches). Photo Courtesy of Matteo Maspero and Andrea Tantardini, Centro MiRT - Fondazione Minoprio [IT].

BOSTON –The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) is alerting Massachusetts residents that it has received notification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that a number of nurseries within the Commonwealth received Canadian boxwood plants that were potentially infested with box tree moths. Box tree moths are an invasive pest that feed on the leaves of boxwood shrubs and can cause complete defoliation, eventually killing the plant. While state and federal inspectors have not found any signs of box tree moths at the nurseries, state officials warn that some of the plants may have been sold before inspections began, or were purchased out of state and planted in Massachusetts. MDAR and APHIS urge anyone in Massachusetts who may have purchased boxwood shrubs this spring to check the plants for signs of the moth.

“MDAR is working with its federal partners at the USDA to prevent the box tree moth from spreading and establishing itself in Massachusetts,” said MDAR Commissioner John Lebeaux. “We ask Massachusetts residents that purchased boxwood shrubs this spring to take a close look at the plants to aid in our efforts to prevent this invasive species from expanding into the state and causing severe damage to Massachusetts’ popular boxwood shrubs.”

If a boxwood plant was purchased this past spring, state officials request that residents inspect it for signs of the moth, and report any findings to https://massnrc.org/pests/report.aspx or by calling 617-626-1779. When inspecting your boxwood shrubs, look for all of the life stages of this pest: eggs, caterpillars, pupae, and adults. Eggs are typically laid in gelatinous masses on the underside of boxwood leaves, but may also be laid singly. Caterpillars can grow up to 1.5 inches long, and are yellowish green with a black head, and long black stripes and spots that reach from the head to the end of the body. The caterpillars create pockets of webbing within the boxwood shrubs to wall themselves off from predators. When they are ready to morph into adult moths, they form small green pupae. Adults typically have white wings with a dark brown border, but can sometimes be all brown with just a small white streak on each wing.

Box tree moths (Cydalima perspectalis) are native to Asia and are now a pest in both Europe and Canada. They can produce several generations between June and October, which makes urgent action essential to prevent this pest from establishing itself in Massachusetts.

Images for publication with photo credits included:

 

Caterpillars and webbing (larvae can reach 1.5 inches long)

(Courtesy of Matteo Maspero and Andrea Tantardini, Centro MiRT - Fondazione Minoprio [IT].)

Pupa (life stage between caterpillar and adult)

(Courtesy of Ilya Mityushev, Department of Plant protection of the Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy.)

 

Dark form of the moth.

(Courtesy of Ilya Mityushev, Department of Plant protection of the Russian State Agrarian University - Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural

波士頓市長辦公室新聘2名鄰里聯絡員

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES UJU ONOCHIE  APPOINTED AS NEW NEIGHBORHOOD LIAISON FOR ROSLINDALE AND THE AFRICAN COMMUNITY CITY-WIDE; MOLLY GRIFFIN AS NEW NEIGHBORHOOD LIAISON FOR BACK BAY, BEACON HILL, FENWAY AND MISSION HILL

 

BOSTON - Tuesday, July 27, 2021 - Mayor Kim Janey today announced the appointment of Uju Onochie as the neighborhood liaison for Roslindale and the African Community City-wide and Molly Griffin as the neighborhood liaison for Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway and Mission Hill for the Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS). They will serve as the primary contact for constituents and businesses to connect with the Mayor's Office, and will facilitate the delivery of services in collaboration with City departments.  Uju Onochie “I am pleased to welcome Uju and Molly to the Office of Neighborhood Services,” said Mayor Janey. “As neighborhood and community liaisons, they will play a crucial role in engaging their neighbors, especially our most vulnerable populations. I know both of these talented new leaders will serve their communities well.” Uju Onochie was born and raised in Boston and is an active member of the Nigerian American community. She currently lives in Mattapan. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst class of 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. “I am very excited to be in this role with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services,” said Onochie. “I will do my very best to serve my community and connect them to the resources provided by the City of Boston!” A fan of sci-fi novels and discovering activities around the city with friends and family, Onochie plans to pursue a master’s degree in Public Administration with hopes of one day creating policies to help marginalized communities.

Molly Griffin Molly Griffin was born, raised, and currently lives in Dorchester. She recently graduated from Boston University, and previously attended Boston Latin School. Prior to this role, she spent summers working at the Leahy Holloran Community Center in Dorchester, and interned at the Massachusetts State House as a Ward Fellow.  “I’m very excited to work for and learn more about the city I grew up in, and meet so many community members,” said Griffin. “I look forward to working with community leaders to continue great partnerships with the City.” She has always enjoyed volunteering and working in the community, and hopes to continue this work in the neighborhoods where she attended high school and college.

 

ABOUT THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD SERVICES The Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) encourages, facilitates and maximizes citizen input and participation through service requests, neighborhood meetings, mailings, and emergency responses. To report non-emergency issues to the City, residents are encouraged to connect with BOS:311 by dialing 3-1-1 or by downloading the free BOS:311 app on iOS or Android platforms.

查理貝克指派Jamey Tesler 出任交通廳廳長

Governor Charlie Baker Announces Appointment of Jamey Tesler as Transportation Secretary

BOSTON — Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today announced the appointment of Jamey L. Tesler as Secretary of Transportation and CEO of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Tesler has served as Acting Secretary since January, when he was appointed to replace former Secretary Stephanie Pollack after Pollack’s appointment as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration for the Biden-Harris Administration.

“Jamey Tesler is a dynamic leader and with several years of experience in senior roles in the transportation sector, he and the team at the Department are ready to advance the important work underway across Massachusetts’ transportation systems,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “From safety to planning for the mobility needs of the Commonwealth’s future, the job of Transportation Secretary is hugely important and Jamey is the right person to lead the Department.”

“In continuing in his role as Secretary, Jamey will remain a strong partner for officials at the municipal level, ensuring a commitment to local infrastructure and projects,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “We are grateful for his ongoing leadership and dedication to the transportation sector and service to the people of this Commonwealth.”

"Since January, it has been the honor of my professional career to serve as Acting Secretary of Transportation and I am grateful and humbled that Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito have confidence in my ability to continue to lead the organization as we deliver a transportation system that is safe, reliable, resilient and equitable,” said Secretary Jamey Tesler.  “With the support of MassDOT’s dedicated workforce and management team, I am looking forward to continuing to advance customer service improvements, programs giving municipalities resources, and infrastructure projects which connect people with where they want to go, whether they are walking, bicycling, traveling by public transportation, or riding in a vehicle.”

Prior to his appointment as Acting Secretary in January, Tesler served as Registrar of Motor Vehicles. He has years of experience across the Department of Transportation and has worked for more than 16 years in senior management roles in the public sector, including as General Counsel to the Massachusetts State Treasurer, Deputy Legal Counsel in the Office of the Governor, Deputy General Counsel for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), MassDOT Assistant Secretary for Procurement and Contract Management, Acting Chief of Staff for the Secretary of Transportation, and then as Chief Operating Officer at MassDOT. Tesler received his bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Relations from the University of Pennsylvania and his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan.

Learn more about the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

拜登提名Rachael Rollins出任麻州聯邦檢察官。

              (Boston Orange編譯)美國總統拜登(Biden)提名薩福克郡總檢察官羅琳(Rachael Rollins)出任駐麻州的美國檢察官。

              一旦美國參議院通過這一提名後，2019年才當上麻州薩福克郡地區檢察官的羅琳，將成為麻州第一位黑人女性美國聯邦檢察官。

              肩負向總統推薦植物候選人重任，代表麻州的聯邦參議員華倫(Elizabeth Warren)和馬基(Ed Markey)獲悉這消息後，都額手稱慶，發表聯席聲明，稱羅琳是美國檢察官的很棒選擇，他們非常榮幸能夠向拜登政府推薦她。

              他們還說，羅琳在轉變刑事法系統上是全國領袖，她把基於處罰的方法轉變為打擊不正義的根源，不論那是源於貧窮，濫用毒品，或是族裔差異。

              2018年在民主黨初選中，羅琳承諾拒絕起訴某些輕罪，打敗了長期在位者及警察團體所支持的候選人。她認為人們不應該因為精神健康，或者上癮問題導致的罪刑入獄，還說她要把重心放在例如凶殺案等嚴重犯行上。

羅琳和波士頓市最大的警察工會一直有分歧。去年她發推特寫著”我們被警察的意願謀殺了….沒得可說了，要求行動”之後，警察工會指控她煽動針對執法人員的暴力。之後羅琳又在推特上反擊警察工會的批評，說道”脆弱白人才是真人”。

一旦羅琳的提名獲得確認，麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)將有權指派代理薩福克郡區地方檢察官，並服務至2022年的大選為止。

              羅琳之前是麻州的助理美國檢察官。她將會是麻州的第二位女性聯邦檢察官。第一位是2009年出任該職的Carmen Ortiz。

波士頓28號線巴士免費計畫 吳弭最早提出 Kim Janey最早實施

波士頓代市長Kim Janey(前中)在市議員吳弭 (Michelle Wu) ，
Ricardo Arroyo等人陪同下，宣佈28號巴士免費三個月。(周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子綜合報導) 波士頓市要推出免費巴士了。波士頓市長Kim Janey花50萬元，推出試驗計畫，讓主要行經麥特潘 (Mattapan)、多徹斯特 (Dorchester)、洛士百利 (Roxbury)的28號線巴士，從8月29日起到11月29日，可免費搭乘三個月。

Kim Janey今 (26) 日一早，在波士頓不分區市議員吳弭 (Michelle Wu) ，轄區包括麥特潘的市議員Ricardo Arroyo等人陪同下，在麥特潘地鐵站前，宣佈了這免費巴士的試驗計畫。

Kim Janey(右)到了記者會現場，先和吳弭打招呼。(周菊子攝)

Kim Janey表示，若一切順利，將可進一步研究其他路線也免費的可行性。

Kim Janey今日說，28號線是波士頓最繁忙的巴士線，從麥特潘廣場(Mattapan Square)，繞經努邊(Nubian)廣場，以及落士百利十字路口(Roxbury Crossing)，進城到羅格斯地鐵站(Ruggles Station)。在新冠疫情之前的工作天裏，載客量大約每天12,880人。

巴士免費的消息，吸引眾多影像記者到場。(周菊子攝)

根據MBTA最近做的調查，有三分之二的28號巴士線乘客，屬於低收入人士。波士頓市府也稱，這條巴士路線的沿線居民，和其他區域相比，家庭收入用於交通上的比率更高。選擇這條路線做試驗，再自然不過。

Kim Janey早在今年4月，就曾提出支持巴士免費，以麥特潘到羅格斯這條路線做試驗的想法。

轄區包括麥特潘的市議員Ricardo Arroyo已表態支持Kim Janey選市長。
(周菊子攝)

波士頓第5區市議員Ricardo Arroyo表示，他相信波士頓市長是動用波士頓市所得到的美國援救計畫紓困款，來支付這50萬元。這數額應是由MBTA提出，免費營運28號巴士線三個月的估算費用，將多退少補。

搭巴士，地鐵免費的這構想，並不新鮮。波士頓市議員吳弭早從2018年就做此倡議，2019年還在波士頓環球報上發表過意見，2019年MBTA討論漲價時，吳弭也曾提出讓28號巴士線免費的建議。

吳弭的競選陣營指出，在吳弭的倡議下，當年的羅倫斯市(Lawrence)市長Dan Rivera就在該市引入免費巴士做法。吳弭還發表一份白皮書，指羅倫斯市的行動，可做為免費交通的參考分析，尤其是可優先在28號，66號，以及116號巴士路線上試行。

吳弭的白皮書指出，前述3條巴士路線免費的好處包括，為波士頓市收入最低家庭最集中地區的乘客們，每年共節省約101萬元車費，乘客們省下來的錢，將可回流，投資進他們自己的社區；可以節省收費時間，每名乘客可節省1至2秒，就等於是增加了MBTA的營運效率，降低了成本；每天約可減少2800次車輛出行，也就減少了交通阻塞，還每年可防止約1730立方噸二氧化碳排入空氣中，也就減少民眾染患氣喘病的機率；這做法還可增加人們的社交參與，減少孤獨及抑鬱。

吳弭在一份聲明中表示，波士頓代市長Kim Janey今日的這一舉動，說明了免費交通是可行的，有行動權力的在位者願意推動，事情就有做成的可能。她希望有更多人能進一步地仔細看看她發表的白皮書，也是她和東北大學城市及區域政策杜卡吉斯中心撰寫的「波士頓免費巴士試驗計畫評估」。

根據MBTA網站，目前的各種交通工具單程搭乘費用為，地鐵2.4元，巴士1.7元，通勤火車2.4元到13.25元，渡輪3.7元到9.75元。

波士頓市議員吳弭發表白皮書 詳列巴士免費的方法與好處

City Councilor Michelle Wu Releases White Paper Outlining Pathway & Benefits of Fare-Free Bus

Mihcelle Wu answers questions outside Mattapan T station.
(Photo by Chutze Chou)

Boston, MA—  City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu has released a white paper outlining the benefits of a fare-free bus system. Councilor Wu has championed the idea of fare-free transit in Boston for years, advocating for public transit as a public good, to be funded for universal access similar to public education and public libraries. Read the full paper.

Following her advocacy, then-Mayor of Lawrence Dan Rivera introduced fare-free buses in Lawrence, MA. The white paper evaluates the impacts of a fare-free bus system, which Wu has said can serve as a first step towards fare-free transit, specifically analyzing the benefits of a fare-free pilot of the 28, 66 and 116 bus routes. 

The paper found that benefits of three fare-free routes include:

·       Passenger savings on fares estimated at $1.01 million annually, concentrated among Boston’s lowest income households, with funds freed up to be invested back into the community;

·       Increased collection speeds and reduced “dwell time,” leading to time savings of about 1-2 seconds per passenger, that translates into increased productivity and lower costs for the MBTA;

·       The elimination of nearly 2,800 daily car rides and reduction of traffic congestion, preventing the emission of 1,730 annual metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere; The reduction of local pollutants and smog from hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides, lowering the risk of asthma and other respiratory illnesses, which disproportionately impact Boston’s residents of color;

·       Increased social engagement, reduced loneliness and depression, and other social and mental health benefits from increased connection and activity, particularly for Boston’s seniors, people living with disabilities, and lower-income families.

“Public transit is a public good. Eliminating fare collection on bus routes would speed up service, close racial disparities in transit access, serve our climate goals, and advance economic justice. In this critical moment of economic, social and emotional recovery, we must take every step to strengthen racial equity, eliminate barriers to opportunity and invest in accessible, equitable, reliable service in every community,” said Michelle Wu.

“Making bus trips free is an important way to underscore that public transit is a public good and should be treated as such. This report is an important contribution to the larger effort to think and act more sustainably, equitably and strategically about how we deliver vital public services. I’m grateful to Councilor Wu for keeping this at the forefront of our pathway to building a stronger, more equitable society,” said former state Transportation Secretary James Aloisi.

“Fare-free public transit is an investment in Boston’s economy and environment that will benefit all Bostonians - especially the city’s most vulnerable residents. When you look at the benefits relative to the costs, it just makes sense. Councilor Wu’s proposal gives Boston the opportunity to be a national and international leader in the next generation of more accessible, healthy, and cost-effective public transportation,” said lead author Alaina Boyle. (From Michelle Wu's Campaign office)

Statement: Michelle Wu on Free 28 Bus Pilot 

Boston, MA— The following statement can be attributed to Boston City Councilor and Mayoral Candidate Michelle Wu:

“Today’s announcement shows that free bus service is possible in Boston when we organize to make it happen, but we don’t just need one free route through Election Day—we need a system that reaches across our city. 

That’s why I’ve been fighting for years to deliver fare-free transit and today released a roadmap to broaden this first step toward a fare-free bus system for Boston. I’m grateful for all the advocates, riders, and community members who have shown up time and again to organize for our shared future. We owe it to Boston residents to do more in this critical moment.”

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CONTEXT:

· Michelle Wu first called for fare-free transit on the Codcast in March 2018. 

· In a Boston Globe op ed in January 2019, Michelle Wu called to make the T free. 

· Wu was the first elected official to call for the MBTA’s 28 Bus route to be free, at the FMCB Feb 2019 meeting on fare increases. 

· Wu led a day of action against fare hikes on July 1, 2019, with hundreds of volunteers across the state. 

· Earlier today, her office released a roadmap in partnership with Northeastern University’s Dukakis Center for Urban and Regional Policy on the pathway for a wider fare-free bus pilot and system-wide change.