Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Accessibility And Local Requests topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newton leaders and residents press MBTA for accessibility upgrades; Mattapan vehicle and substation work remains on hold pending funding
Summary
Newton officials urged the MBTA to upgrade West Newton and Auburndale stations alongside Newtonville for accessibility and to add second platforms; MBTA staff said resource limits constrain the CIP but pointed to Focus 2050 and said Mattapan vehicle moves and a traction substation are in design with larger upgrades requiring future funding.
Residents and local officials used the MBTA public meeting to press for commuter-rail accessibility and station capacity improvements.
Randy Block, Ward 4 counselor in Newton, thanked the MBTA for the Newtonville upgrades but urged the MBTA to reallocate funds so West Newton and Auburndale — both lacking accessibility and limited by single-platform configurations — are upgraded at the same time for efficiency and to address accessibility deficiencies. “It makes sense to upgrade all three stations as part of the same project,” Block said, noting his district includes Auburndale.
MBTA staff acknowledged the concern but said funding constraints in the CIP limit what can be programmed this cycle. Mike Malia invited participation in Focus 2050 for longer-term expansion discussions and said accessibility projects are prioritized where funding allows; he also noted $100 million is programmed systemwide for regional-rail accessibility improvements (mini high-level platforms and station upgrades such as Newtonville).
On Mattapan, Andrew Galvin (staff to Councilor Erin Murphy) relayed constituents’ interest in the Mattapan trolley, and MBTA staff said current funding will support moving Type 9 Green Line vehicles to Mattapan and that a traction power substation design is advancing with construction anticipated in 2028. Additional station accessibility upgrades and a new vehicle maintenance facility remain on hold pending future CIP cycles.
Why it matters: advocates say simultaneous station upgrades create management efficiencies and improve accessibility for riders with disabilities. MBTA staff emphasized that major expansion and some full station upgrades fall under Focus 2050 and future CIP cycles and that the agency will accept written follow-ups to provide additional technical details (for example, Mattapan substation location). The MBTA encouraged commenters to submit questions and said it will provide more detailed responses by email when available.
