Larisa Manescu, larisa.manescu@sierraclub.org
BOSTON, MA - Yesterday, Governor Baker appointed the seven-member Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors, with Betsy Taylor as the new chair.
This new, permanent Board of Directors will oversee the MBTA’s finances, operations, governance, and overall management. It replaces the temporary Fiscal and Management Control Board (FMCB) established by the Baker administration following the harsh winter of 2015 that disrupted transit service.
In response, Veena Dharmaraj, Director of Transportation of Sierra Club Massachusetts, released the following statement:
“We welcome the members of the new MBTA Board of Directors. At a time when it is clear that our MBTA system needs transformational leadership to create an equitable, reliable, and safe 21st century transit system, the appointment of the Board is a crucial step towards meaningfully addressing the many challenges facing the MBTA.
“We look forward to working with the new Board to make equity, safety, and climate resiliency central to an affordable and modern transit system for all riders in the Greater Boston region.”
Background: 17 organizations just released a report calling on the MBTA to commit to a 100 percent electric bus fleet by 2030 for public health and climate action, prioritizing garage upgrades and bus electrification for routes serving low-income neighborhoods and communities of color.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.