Seaport TMA Honors MBTA for Silver Line Success in Boston Seaport

[BOSThe Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) was honored July 29 by the Seaport Transportation Management Association (TMA) for recent improvements on the Silver Line, which have contributed to the success and vibrancy of the Seaport neighborhood. The ceremony, held at Seaport Common, brought together city and state officials, as well as leaders from the Seaport business community, to highlight how these investments have improved commuting to the Seaport and increased its appeal as a great place to work, live, and enjoy the many experiences the area has to offer. 

“Thank you to the Seaport TMA, City of Boston and MassPort for a strong partnership that understands the invaluable role that transportation plays, driving economic vitality and quality of life for the public we serve. To our riders: we are committed to delivering a safe, reliable and improved transportation network that connects people, communities, and businesses.” said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phil Eng. “Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration, we have made significant strides rebuilding our workforce and in turn rebuilding our infrastructure.  The MBTA workforce continues to take pride and works hard to earn the public trust every single day. On behalf of our entire MBTA, from our drivers, to our maintenance crews, and our planners and engineers, to name a few– it is a privilege to be part of this proud team.  While we know there is so much more to do, together we are seeing our collective efforts deliver the results that our riders both deserve and expect.”

In addition to the Seaport TMA, WS Development, the City of Boston, Boston Children's Museum, and EMD Serono were among those represented at the event.

“The Silver Line is more than just a bus line. The Silver Line is among our most critical pieces of infrastructure. Simply put, it’s the travel option we rely on most to get people to our neighborhood – whether it’s to go to work, to go to a concert, to shop or dine, or to attend an event at the Convention Center. We are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt, and General Manager Eng for all they are doing to support the neighborhood,” said Patrick Sullivan, Seaport TMA Executive Director.  

"Boston’s Seaport is a hub of new ideas, new businesses, new discoveries, and new people – all brought together by the Commonwealth’s investment in public transit. We are grateful to our partners in the Healy-Driscoll administration and the MBTA for prioritizing this reinvestment in the Silver Line, which provides safe, efficient, effective transit service to the economic engine of Boston and the Commonwealth.” shared Yanni Tsipis, Senior Vice President, WS Development.

Key improvements to the Silver Line and the Seaport area include: 

• Since 2023, the MBTA and Massport have replaced the Silver Line bus fleet with a new fleet of hybrid electric buses, which has resulted in improvements to the speed and reliability of Silver Line service, improving access to both the Seaport and Logan Airport 
• A $22 million RAISE grant for the Silver Line extension to Everett and Charlestown
• Increased frequency during peak morning and evening hours, reducing wait times 
• The SL2, which provides service to the Flynn Marine Industrial Park, has been upgraded to a high frequency bus route with 7-day service and departures every 15 minutes
• Construction of a new entrance to Courthouse Station on Seaport Boulevard

The MBTA also highlighted current and future initiatives: 

• Systemwide:
  • Reduction in dropped trips from 9% to 2% system wide
  • Launch of a contactless payment system on August 1 for all MBTA services 
  • Ongoing work to eliminate speed restrictions across the system, including extensive Red Line improvements from Kendall/MIT to JFK/UMass in September, potentially saving riders up to 27 minutes on a round trip 
• Bus: 
  • The MBTA has added more buses to peak morning and evening service, which has made a noticeable improvement in wait times for passengers
• Subway:
  • Fleet modernization with 144 new Orange Line cars already in service, a third Red Line train set on the horizon, and production of new Green Line cars set to commence
  • Orange Line speed restrictions were cleared by the end of June 2023 
  • Green Line restrictions on the Boston College branch will be eliminated August 2-11
  • Core system frequency improvements: 
    • Green Line: 2-3 minutes between trains 
    • Red Line: approximately 6 minutes
    • Orange Line: under 7 minutes 
    • Blue Line: often under 5 minutes 
• Commuter Rail: 
  • Electrification of the Fairmount Line, reducing carbon footprint and improving service reliability
  • Construction of the center platform at Worcester Union Station with accessibility improvements

"The Silver Line is a vital part of the Seaport’s success. The continued evolution of this neighborhood cannot happen without quality public transportation," said Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets for the City of Boston. "Our streets can only hold so many cars. We need to invest in modes that can carry more people which is why the Silver Line is so important."

As BostonSeaport continues to attract employers, public transportation remains a critical component of the area’s success as a thriving business hub. Reliable and efficient transit options are essential for attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. Employees seek convenient access to their workplaces, and public transportation networks facilitate this, reducing dependence on personal vehicles, ultimately easing traffic congestion. 

“As a company that aspires to create, improve and prolong life for those impacted by illnesses such as cancer, MS and infertility, EMD Serono’s move to Boston centered around being in the epicenter of biopharma innovation,” said Kate Cingolani, Head of North America Communications at EMD Serono. “One of the key factors in moving to the Seaport was accessibility to reliable public transit such as the Silver Line: an important way for our employees to get into the office consistently, quickly, and affordably.”

As a well-connected community, offering multiple transportation choices, the Seaport fosters competition and innovation for companies tapping into a wider talent pool –  building a strong public transportation system will remain a key factor in its continued success. 

“Boston Children’s Museum has been an anchor institution in our current location on Fort Point Channel since 1979, and are proud to have called this neighborhood home well before the remarkable development surrounding us. The extension of the Silver Line into the Seaport in 2004 has made our Museum more accessible to the hundreds of thousands of visitors we welcome every year, and more recently, we have been fortunate to see significant reinvestment in the Silver Line, improving its overall service.” said Charlayne Murrell-Smith, VP External Relations & Corporate Development, Boston Children’s Museum. 

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