Publications
ABC Publications
ABC Position Paper on the MBTA Fare & Service Changes 
March 2012 — The MBTA has proposed two scenarios of fare hikes and service cuts to close its projected $161 million budget deficit for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012. After reviewing both scenarios and consulting with our membership, A Better City (ABC) and the ABC Transportation Management Association (ABC TMA) have concluded that the Massachusetts economy cannot afford either scenario. Instead, we believe the T should seek to close part of its budget gap with a more reasonable fare hike and limited service cuts. The T should then work with MassDOT, Massport, the Patrick administration and the legislature to address the remaining budget shortfall for FY 2013, and to begin work on a long-term, comprehensive finance plan for the Commonwealth’s entire transportation system.
On the Right Track? The Future of the Massachusetts Commuter Rail
November 2011 — Continuing our dialogue over transportation finance policy and reform, A Better City explores options for the future of Massachusetts' commuter rail system. With the current commuter rail contract set to expire June 30, 2013, A Better City looks at the current state of the commuter system, the history of the current deal, and the T’s options for a new deal. One option to explore would be a longer term public-private partnership, but will the T have enough time to properly prepare for a long-term deal?
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Fixing Transit Finance: A Framework for Discussion
April 2011
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Building Massachusetts' Economy through Transportation Investment
May 2009 — A Better City has released an executive summary, "Building Massachusetts' Economy through Transportation Investment" prepared by Cambridge Systematics. The summary details the role that transportation plays in the Massachusetts and Boaton metropolitan area economies and summarizes the findings of the Massachusetts Transportation Finance Commission's report. While reforms are clearly needed to make more effective use of revenues from current sources this report provides an analysis of a menu of options that Massachusetts can select from for raising revenue to address the enormous gap in Massachusetts transportation funding.
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A Better City Transportation Finance Position Paper
February 2009 — ABC's Transportation Finance Plan position paper represents what our membership believes should be included when the Commonwealth makes any consideration or takes any action in creating a transportation finance plan for the future.
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Collaborative Publications
Moving Forward: Transportation and the Massachusetts Economy
This white paper reviews state, regional and national literature on the relationship between transportation investment and the economy to make the case that Massachusetts must continue to invest boldly in its transportation future in order to ensure its economic future.
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ABC Archived Publications
- October 2007 - Connecting with Our Economic Future: A Transportation Investment Strategy for the Life Sciences Cluster
- December 2006 - Making the Connection: The Urban Ring Corridor and the Future of Greater Boston.
- October 2006 - Transcript - Transportation Finance Panel
- October 2005 - South Boston Gateways Study
- September 2005 - Financial District | Greenway Edges Study - Part 1
- September 2005 Financial District | Greenway Edges Study - Part 2
- June 2004 - Wharf District | Financial District Edges Study - Executive Summary
- June 2004 - Wharf District | Financial District Edges Study
- May 2003 - Chinatown | Leather District Park Edges Study
ABC Related Publications
- Civic Leadership and the Big Dig
By David Luberoff, Executive Director
Rappaport Institute of Greater Boston - Easy as ABC
Did the Big Dig give birth to a new civic model?
By David Luberoff
As published in the Summer 2004 Edition of Commonwealth Magazine
