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 .

CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCHES 2024 SEASON OF OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM

 

CITY OF BOSTON LAUNCHES 2024 SEASON OF OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM

BOSTON - Tuesday, February 6, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced applications are open for the 2024 season of Boston’s Outdoor Dining Program. The current, post-pandemic program was designed in partnership with the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion (OEOI), the Streets Cabinet, and the Disabilities Commission to provide a predictable, streamlined process for business owners while addressing accessibility and quality of life issues for residents. To assist restaurant owners, this year’s rollout will include new features such as outdoor dining consultations, accessible design templates, real-time application tracking, office hours, site visits, and an option to apply separately for annual license renewals. The online application portal opened today, with approved business owners able to begin outdoor dining on May 1. “Boston’s outdoor dining program reimagines how we can best use our streets, while setting clear requirements around accessibility,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This year, we’re making it easier for new and previously approved businesses to take part in the program, creating spaces to gather together and enjoy the cuisine of our small businesses.” “Our restaurateurs reflect the diversity and talent of our city’s residents, so we’re thrilled to continue outdoor dining for another year to keep our small businesses thriving,” said Segun Idowu, Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion. “This season will build on what we’ve learned over the last few years of outdoor dining in our city, solidifying Boston as a summer food destination for residents and visitors alike.” As announced with the program last year, all approved businesses participating in outdoor dining will be required to pay $399 per month if they have a liquor license and $199 per month if they do not. The City will have a streamlined application process for returning applicants whose patio designs were approved last year. In 2020, the Outdoor Dining Pilot Program was created under temporary state legislation as a business relief response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City listened to residents’ concerns regarding accessibility, noise, and public safety concerns to create the requirements of the current program. The outdoor dining program requires businesses to submit site plans drawn by a registered architect or engineer for outdoor dining setups on the street and sidewalk. Applicants must fulfill certain design requirements around accessibility, regarding sidewalk width, space for pedestrians, and space between any neighboring patios. More details can be found in the 2024 outdoor dining program application guide.  In 2023, due to reasons including the North End’s high density of restaurants and foot traffic, narrow streets and sidewalks, resident parking scarcity, and other related considerations, the City issued permits in the neighborhood for compliant sidewalk patios, but did not issue permits for on-street outdoor dining. In 2024, the City intends to continue those policies in the North End and may craft additional neighborhood-specific guidelines as the program advances. “The city’s outdoor dining program was an invaluable lifeline to us during the pandemic that continues to be immensely helpful to our business and positively received by our guests,” said Jefferson Macklin, a partner and business manager of Traveler Street Hospitality, which oversees multiple locations in the South End. “We look forward to continuing with the program as a critical component of our business - hopefully for many years to come.” Closing hours for outdoor dining are 9:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday (with patrons off the premises by 10:00 p.m.); and 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (with patrons off the premises by 11:00 p.m.). The 2024 outdoor dining season will run through October 31.

波士頓市公佈黑人歷史月系列活動 市府將辦年度慶祝

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES CITY’S BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAMMING AHEAD OF CITY’S ANNUAL CELEBRATION

BOSTON - Monday, February 5, 2024-  Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston’s Equity & Inclusion Cabinet today announced a series of programming to mark the start of Black History month and create space for residents and families to celebrate and be in community. This year’s Black History Month theme is "African Americans and the Arts". “Boston’s Black communities are foundational to the fabric of our city, and we honor their contributions during Black History Month and throughout the year,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m thrilled to announce our Black History Month programming, where Boston residents, families and visitors can be in community and learn about the contributions and history of Black communities all month long.” "In observance of Black History Month, we acknowledge the profound influence of black culture on the artistic milieu, serving as a source of inspiration, catalyst for movements, and resilience in the face of challenges,” said Mariangely Solis Cervera, Chief of Equity & Inclusion. “We invite all to partake in this month-long journey of education, community engagement, and celebration, as we illuminate the richness inherent in Boston's Black history and cultural heritage." “Celebrating African Americans in the arts is a timely theme that honors the many forms of expression of black culture,” said Lori Nelson, Senior Advisor on Racial Justice. “It has been the center of how the narrative of black people create, inspire, birth movements, and resist.” For all programming hosted by the City of Boston, please visit boston.gov/equity-and-inclusion/black-history-month.   City of Boston Black History Month Celebration and Flag Raising Program Tuesday, February 6, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.  This event will feature remarks from Mayor Wu, Keynote Speaker Taneshia Laird Greater, President & CEO of Roxbury Arts & Cultural Center and a flag raising  Location: Boston City Hall - Third Floor Mezzanine: 1 City Hall Square, Boston MA 02201  Lunch and Learn: Gender in the Workforce thru the Black Lens Thursday, February 8, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. A panel discussion that will explore the role gender, race and their intersections play in the workforce Locatio​​n: Boston City Hall - Mezzanine, 1 City Hall Square, Boston  Black Employee Network (BEN) ERG Black History Month Celebration Friday, February 9, 7:00 - 10:00 p.m Connecting Black City employees and the community with City Leadership to celebrate all of the triumphs of the Black diaspora! Location: Florian Hall, 55 Hallet St, Dorchester Please register here Sankofa: Selections from Songs of Free Men: Honoring Baldwin’s Centennial Friday, February 9, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. A celebration of the Black Diaspora with music in honor of James Baldwin Location: Black Market, 2136 Washington St, Roxbury Please register here The Melanin Roll Saturday, February 17, 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.   Location: Chez Vous Skating Rink: 11 Rhoades Street, Dorchester Please register here BCYF Skate and Trivia Night (For ages 17 and under) Thursday, February 22, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This event will create space for young residents ages 17 and under to be in community and skate with friends and families Location: Chez Vous Skating Rink: 11 Rhoades Street, Dorchester  Bring It to the Hall Featuring London (Escada) Saint Morta of LEGENDARY Friday, February 23, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.  Join the Mayor's Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement for a Youth Tour followed by a panel and demonstration; registration is limited, and lunch will be served, as we explore the history of the House-Ball Culture, an underground LGBTQ+ subculture created by Black and Brown individuals in opposition to racism within established drag queen pageant circuits, with a voguing performance by the Legendary House Mother London Saint Morta and their house members, who were also finalists on HBO Max’s LEGENDARY. Location: City Hall Civic Pavilion: 1 City Hall Square, Boston MA 02201  Black Veterans Appreciation Brunch Saturday, February 24, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. This event, hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Veteran Affairs, will celebrate and honor the contributions and sacrifices of Black Veterans in helping to create and add to the United States' legacy. The City will also be honoring deserving veterans with Community and Outstanding Service awards. Location: Prince Hall Lodge, 24 Washington St., Dorchester MA 02121 Please RSVP here Age Strong Black Heritage Luncheon Monday, February 26, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. This event will celebrate the City’s Black older adults and uplift the storied history and life of African American Arts and Artisans. Location: Russell Auditorium, 71 Talbot Avenue To register, please call 617-635-3979 or email nuria.silva@boston.gov. Boston Public Library Programming Boston Public Library “Black is…” Booklist The Boston Public Library’s annual “Black is…” booklist features 75 recent titles commemorating the achievements, complexities, struggles, and culture of the Black experience. Copies of the “Black Is…” booklist will be available at all BPL locations starting February 1, 2024 and can also be accessed digitally. The Tuskegee Airmen: A History Lecture by Muqeedah Salaam Thursday, February 1, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. - BPL Charlestown Branch Local historian Muqeedah Salaam discusses the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces. Author Talk: Jeffrey A. Denman - John Quincy Adams, Reluctant Abolitionist Wednesday, February 7, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., BPL Central Branch Jeffrey A. Denman discusses his 2023 nonfiction book, John Quincy Adams, Reluctant Abolitionist, which looks at the life of John Quincy Adams as seen through the lens of slavery. Author Talk: Dr. Jacqueline Jones - No Right to an Honest Living: The Struggles of Boston's Black Workers in the Civil War Era  Saturday, February 10, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. BPL Hyde Park Branch Dr. Jacqueline Jones discusses her 2023 nonfiction book, No Right to an Honest Living: The Struggles of Boston's Black Workers in the Civil War Era, which presents inspiring and heart-wrenching stories of Boston's Black workers. Introduction to African American Genealogy Saturday, February 10, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - Virtual A virtual introduction class to African American genealogy with a focus on resources and online tools that help trace family histories. Register here Massachusetts's 54th Regiment: A Lecture by Shawn Quigley  Saturday, February 10, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. - BPL Parker Hill Branch Shawn Quigley of the National Park Service will give a presentation on the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, one of the first Black regiments to serve in the U.S. Civil War. An Artist's Talk with Shea Justice: History Unfolds  Saturday, February 24, 11:00 - 1:00 p.m. - BPL Hyde Park Branch Roxbury native, Boston-area educator, and artist Shea Justice will discuss his recent work, which investigates the way American society, policies, laws, and customs have impacted African Americans throughout history.

教育廳將推出識字計畫 Healey政府建議資助3000萬元

 Healey Driscoll Administration Celebrates Literacy Launch Initiative 

Literacy Launch Will Expand Access to Evidence-Based Literacy Learning Through Professional Development and High-Quality Materials 

Governor Healey. (by Joshua Qualls/Governor's Press Office)

RANDOLPH- Today the Healey-Driscoll administration celebrated their new initiative, Literacy Launch: Reading Success from Age 3 through Grade 3 with students, educators, and early-literacy advocates at the Martin Young Elementary School in Randolph. This new multi-year strategy aims to improve early literacy education by expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based reading instruction for students across Massachusetts. Governor Healey has recommended $30 million in her fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget for the first year of Literacy Launch, on top of $5 million in continuing early literacy programming from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).  “Every student in Massachusetts needs to be able to read and read well – and we’re going to give them the tools to do just that with Literacy Launch,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The districts that have the right materials and methods – including districts like Randolph that partner with DESE – are getting results. We want to bring the effective strategies we saw here today at the Young School to students, classrooms, and schools across the state.” 

“In our first budget, we made historic investments across all levels of education. We’re building on that in year two with an urgent approach to improving early literacy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Learning to read, and read well, can set our students up for a lifetime of success – from school to career and beyond. This is a downpayment on a generational change to expand access to high quality early literacy learning for all Massachusetts residents.”  

Literacy Launch will make high quality early literacy professional development available for K-3 educators in all districts and provide broad scale support for early educators who support literacy in preschool. The program will be implemented by the Executive Office of Education, in coordination with DESE and the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). The proposed $30 million FY25 investment will also help up to 45 school districts transition to a strong, evidence-based literacy program through a competitive grant program, including acquisition of high-quality materials and long-term technical support from DESE. Further, Literacy Launch will update approval criteria and accelerate review timelines for teacher education programs to require evidence-based early literacy training for future educators.  

“We are prioritizing early literacy because of the simple, yet profound reality that establishing literacy skills early is not only foundational to the remainder of a students’ education, it becomes a foundational marker for the remainder of his or her life. We owe it our students to get this right,” said Secretary of Education Dr. PatrickTutwiler. 

A statewide transition to evidence-based literacy learning is part of the Healey-Driscoll administration’s plan to make Massachusetts more equitable, affordable, and competitive. Literacy Launch will support access to culturally responsive, evidence-based literacy practices that affirm all of our students and value the assets they bring to their classroom and school, which is particularly important to improving literacy among students learning English. English learners represent more than 10 percent of the student body and are among the fastest growing student populations in Massachusetts. Just like their English-speaking peers, English learners' literacy skills have been shown to improve when they have access to evidence-based, culturally sustaining literacy instruction. Literacy Launch will expand this support and access to evidence-based curriculum for more of our readers across Massachusetts. 

“Getting literacy instruction right in a child’s early years helps give students a foundation of confidence and success,” said DESE Commissioner Jeffrey C. Riley. “Districts and educators have taken advantage of all the literacy support we’ve offered them, and I’m proud to see this administration expand that work.” 

“Early education is the start of the educational journey for our youngest learners. I am proud that the Healey-Driscoll administration recently invested $850,000 to increase access to evidence-based and culturally responsive literacy supports for preschoolers. Literacy Launch will allow us to go significantly further, helping children to develop the language and literacy skills they need, closing the learning gap before they enter kindergarten. This initial $30 million comprehensive, cross-secretariat initiative will set our children up for educational success and a love of reading,” said Early Education and Care Commissioner Amy Kershaw. 

Randolph Public Schools is a strong example of a district partnering with the state to improve literacy instruction. The district used a $200,000 Accelerating Literacy with High Quality Instructional Materials grant from DESE in order to purchase the highly rated EL Education curriculum, which they now use. They also partner with DESE to provide intensive literacy tutoring to students, and participate in DESE’s Dyslexia Institute, which provides Massachusetts educators with best practices on early literacy screening, identification, and specialized interventions for students with dyslexia. Randolph Public Schools also participates in DESE’s GLEAM (Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts) grant for pre-k and has been awarded $228,500 since 2020 to improve literacy curriculum learning in preschool classrooms.   “It is so important that every student in every community has access to high-quality, evidence-based reading material,” said Randolph Town Manager Brian Howard. “With the support of DESE, Randolph has been able to improve our curriculum and provide literacy tutoring. We’re excited to see the administration expanding this critical support to districts across the state.” 

“We are thrilled that Governor Healey and Secretary Tutwiler could visit Randolph Public Schools and see our incredible literacy work in action. We’ve been proud to partner with DESE on improved evidence-based literacy supports, and we’re excited to see the Healey-Driscoll administration propose increasing access to those effective programs to many other districts,” said Superintendent of Randolph Public Schools Thea R. Stovell. 

Literacy Launch is a new multi-year initiative that builds on the existing literacy programming at DESE that has been in high demand. In 2020, DESE released Mass Literacy, a guide with tools and supports for evidence-based early literacy instruction for all of our students. Additionally, under several programs including Growing Literacy Equity Across Massachusetts (GLEAM) and Accelerating Literacy grants, DESE has been offering opportunities for districts to receive multi-year technical support and funding for improvements in literacy teaching and materials. Across GLEAM elementary schools, there was a 22 percent decrease in students at risk of reading difficulty in grades K-5 in the first 18 months of the program. In recognition of the critical role that early educators and preschool providers play in children’s literacy learning, students as young as 3 are an important focus of Literacy Launch and the state’s existing approach to improving early literacy. In the 2022-2023 school year, DESE released the Commonwealth’s own early literacy foundational skills curriculum as an option for educators. Called Appleseeds, it is a completely free, evidence-based reading foundational skills curriculum for students in grades K-2. In one Appleseeds district, the percent of kindergarten students reaching or exceeding reading benchmarks went from 28% to 85% in just one year. EEC has expanded on this and is currently working with partners to conduct a statewide assessment of preschool literacy needs and create a Massachusetts Preschool Kindergarten Transition Toolkit for the early education mixed-delivery system.