BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Acting Mayor Kim Janey joined a rally Monday morning against MBTA cuts. She called for service to be restored and for equity in transit.
“Black bus riders in Boston spend 64 more hours per year on their buses as they navigate routes with large access gaps in communities of color,” Janey said.
The mayor said she has been having encouraging conversations with MBTA General manager Steve Poftak, and is calling on the T to restore service to hardest-hit communities first.
The MBTA has been under intense criticism for cutting service despite receiving money from the American Rescue Act. However, Poftak said service will be restored as quickly as possible.
Janey also announced the city will “provide nearly 1,000 workers with free Charlie Cards, preloaded with $60 each.”
The program is available in Nubian Square, Three Sqaures (Jamaica Plain), Misison Hill, East Boston and Fields Corner.
The pilot program will be phased in over the next two months. According to the city, some residents will be randomly selected to get the card right away while others will get two cards after four weeks with values that add up to $60.
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Bluebikes pass-holders will also be allowed to take an unlimited number of trips during the two-month period. “Trips must be completed within in 45 minutes to avoid usage fees,” according to the city.
“Riders are responsible for any fees and for bikes that go missing during their rental period. There is no obligation to continue paying for the pass once the two months are over.”
The goal of the pilot prgram is to support COVID-19 equitable recovery efforts in the Boston. On the city's website it says, "we will evaluate the pilot to see if it could help reduce traffic in small business districts."
In additon it calls the MBTA and Bluebikes, safe and sustainable communiting options.
If you have questions about the program, you can head to City of Boston's website.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) Reports
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