Blog

Reopening Advisory Board

May 12, 2020

Written by KATE DINEeN, EXECUTIVE vicE PRESIDENT

On April 28, Governor Baker appointed a 17-member Reopening Advisory Board consisting of business executives, public health officials and municipal leaders to guide his administration with strategies for reopening the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, A Better City was invited to staff a subgroup of the RAB chaired by Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack and focused on the relationship between reopening and public transportation. The subgroup included representation from municipal, business, and transit industry and labor leaders.

Over the course of five days, the subgroup convened for three 1.5 hour working sessions. Additionally, some subgroup participants took part in two special business-focused sessions with Secretary Pollack and General Manager Poftak hosted by A Better City and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, respectively. 

On May 11th and 12th, Secretary Pollack briefed the Governor’s full Reopening Advisory Board on the MBTA’s proposed plan to safely operate the T and to facilitate a gradual reopening of the regional economy. The Secretary’s presentation reflected input from A Better City and our fellow subgroup participants. The Governor’s Reopening Advisory Board is expected to present their findings on May 18th.

A Better City ardently believes that safety on public transit is the number one priority—and the only way to reopen our regional economy. The MBTA must take strong, immediate, well-publicized actions to protect its workforce and riders in order to build trust and confidence in the system, gradually increasing ridership to enhance mobility, facilitate economic spending, reduce emissions, and ensure equitable access. In brief, the MBTA should take a suite of actions to ensure safety, including: 1) robust, frequent disinfection, 2) masks/face coverings, and 3) increased capacity to ensure physical distancing.