The details are mind-numbingly complicated, but it turns out that, due to a brewing perfect storm of factors, the Turnpike Authority may soon find itself on the hook for a loan payment of nearly $400 million. Needless to say, it … [Read more...]
Things I do not understand about transport reform
It is embarassing for me to say, but I feel like I'm about the least-informed person in the Commonwealth about the gas-tax/toll-hike/transport-reform goat rodeo. I mean, I really do not know what the hell is going on, or why person X … [Read more...]
50-cent gas-tax proposal — one thumb up, one thumb down
Currently, tolls allocate in one-dimension only, the physical realm: they have an impact on which road a person takes. The tolls on the turnpike cause some drivers to avoid the pike for local roads. The quite reasonable fear that toll hikes … [Read more...]
The wrong approach on tolls
When the Pike demand is below capacity - during the substantial off-peak period - there is no pricing problem or opportunity. During those periods, tolls serve only a revenue function. Apparently, Governor Patrick wants to fashion himself … [Read more...]
Gas tax and (smart) toll hike
Set aside the virtuous reasons for a gas tax hike. We need a gas tax hike because we can't afford to build and maintain our transportation infrastructure. If cars and trucks need more and better roads and bridges, then it should fall more … [Read more...]
$7 Tolls – Turnpike Can’t Go Away Fast Enough
They're CRAZY. Seriously, this is absolutely ridiculous. If you live in the South Shore, you get to use these services for free. North Shore? At least $35 a week, about $1820 a year. That's 1820 a year that could be going to the local … [Read more...]
No Tolls, No MTA
Cross-post: This appears at Marry in Massachusetts.Here we are worse. The semi-autonomous authority has backed itself into a cave with no way out. Its mythic justification for existence is providing revenue for road maintenance and … [Read more...]
Accounting, accountability and democracy
In an important story in the Globe today, Casey Ross notices what may hopefully be a sign of the beginning of the end of the Big Dig Culture. Essentially, the financial dealings of the 20-some quasi-public agencies would be brought under … [Read more...]
How deep is the rot at the ‘Pike?
Pretty deep. New 'Pike chief Alan LeBovidge is finding out what happens when you have an agency with no proper oversight: Alan LeBovidge, hired as executive director in November, said the authority is like a country cowed by a mix … [Read more...]
Quid pro quo? How can you know?
So, the Globe's Frank Phillips reports that Gov. Patrick is thinking of trading legislative pay for control of rogue state agencies like Massport and the 'Pike. Mark Bail has held forth already, as has Dan Dunn. I'll add some … [Read more...]