Christopher Friend
@friendchristoph.bsky.social
interim executive director @transitmatters
We were curious to see what the stopthestop.com model would say for stop consolidation along the #MBTA Green Line.
So here’s the Boston version: stahpthestahp.com
So here’s the Boston version: stahpthestahp.com
Stahp the stahp
MBTA stops ranked by the net weekday rider-hours of removing each one: time saved by riders passing through, minus extra walking for riders who used it.
stahpthestahp.com
October 7, 2026 at 12:49 PM
We were curious to see what the stopthestop.com model would say for stop consolidation along the #MBTA Green Line.
So here’s the Boston version: stahpthestahp.com
So here’s the Boston version: stahpthestahp.com
mayor wu’s efforts here to move a (proposed) center running bus lane to the curb stand in sharp contrast to mamdani’s bus efforts in nyc, which are 1) outcome-oriented, focused on faster bus speeds 2) are all about creating center running bus lanes
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/10/05/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/10/05/m...
October 6, 2026 at 11:53 AM
mayor wu’s efforts here to move a (proposed) center running bus lane to the curb stand in sharp contrast to mamdani’s bus efforts in nyc, which are 1) outcome-oriented, focused on faster bus speeds 2) are all about creating center running bus lanes
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/10/05/m...
www.bostonglobe.com/2026/10/05/m...
Time for Cambridge to bring back the “9 Minutes to Park St” sign at Harvard
The CTA has unveiled a 1950s neon-style sign at a revamped Blue Line stop. buff.ly/5Ifslf9
October 5, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Time for Cambridge to bring back the “9 Minutes to Park St” sign at Harvard
Reposted by Christopher Friend
Boston's slowest buses are getting even slower, according to new data from TransitMatters. Have you noticed? Tell us in the comments.
More on the top 10 list here: https://www.wcvb.com/article/mbta-slowest-buses-getting-slower-oct-2026/74037276
More on the top 10 list here: https://www.wcvb.com/article/mbta-slowest-buses-getting-slower-oct-2026/74037276
October 5, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Boston's slowest buses are getting even slower, according to new data from TransitMatters. Have you noticed? Tell us in the comments.
More on the top 10 list here: https://www.wcvb.com/article/mbta-slowest-buses-getting-slower-oct-2026/74037276
More on the top 10 list here: https://www.wcvb.com/article/mbta-slowest-buses-getting-slower-oct-2026/74037276
reading the SEPTA regional rail report and notable that their plan for rolling stock—single level EMUs, for acceleration and dwells—is the exact opposite approach that the MBTA has taken with their latest procurements (bilevel BEMUs, battery-electric locos)
September 29, 2026 at 1:48 PM
reading the SEPTA regional rail report and notable that their plan for rolling stock—single level EMUs, for acceleration and dwells—is the exact opposite approach that the MBTA has taken with their latest procurements (bilevel BEMUs, battery-electric locos)
last week @transitmatters.bsky.social released our annual Pokey/Schleppie awards. in a bit of dark humor, the slowest bus route on the #MBTA is the SL4, one of a handful of routes designated as BRT
the full report (read it!) is here: static1.squarespace.com/static/533b9...
the full report (read it!) is here: static1.squarespace.com/static/533b9...
September 21, 2026 at 1:50 PM
last week @transitmatters.bsky.social released our annual Pokey/Schleppie awards. in a bit of dark humor, the slowest bus route on the #MBTA is the SL4, one of a handful of routes designated as BRT
the full report (read it!) is here: static1.squarespace.com/static/533b9...
the full report (read it!) is here: static1.squarespace.com/static/533b9...
some evidence the T’s deployment of new Red Line cars is taking off
September 18, 2026 at 1:17 PM
some evidence the T’s deployment of new Red Line cars is taking off
hello I am very excited to be starting as the interim ED @transitmatters.bsky.social this week. please reach out if you want to chat about transit in Mass and greater Boston! and be on the lookout for a lot of great stuff coming from the TM team this fall
TransitMatters is thrilled to welcome Chris Friend as our Interim Executive Director! A longtime Board Member, Treasurer & Labs Lead, Chris helped create our Data Dashboard and Slow Zone Tracker and brings deep knowledge of our organization, operations & goals.
September 16, 2026 at 9:11 PM
hello I am very excited to be starting as the interim ED @transitmatters.bsky.social this week. please reach out if you want to chat about transit in Mass and greater Boston! and be on the lookout for a lot of great stuff coming from the TM team this fall
Reposted by Christopher Friend
@mbta.com Buses Keep Getting Pokier As Wu Administration Policies Increase Congestion:
mass.streetsblog.org/2026/09/16/b...
mass.streetsblog.org/2026/09/16/b...
Buses Keep Getting Pokier As Wu Administration Policies Increase the City's Congestion - Streetsblog Massachusetts
Since 2024, Mayor Wu's administration has cancelled and removed numerous bus lanes in favor of providing more taxpayer-subsidized space for private vehicle traffic.
mass.streetsblog.org
September 16, 2026 at 1:16 PM
@mbta.com Buses Keep Getting Pokier As Wu Administration Policies Increase Congestion:
mass.streetsblog.org/2026/09/16/b...
mass.streetsblog.org/2026/09/16/b...
really excited to see the enormous intersection at Beech & Elm is finally on its last legs
August 28, 2026 at 3:47 PM
really excited to see the enormous intersection at Beech & Elm is finally on its last legs
this got me thinking about AFC 2.0. last public update was in May 2024, where the new Charlie Card was to be launched in 2025 and expanded to CR this past spring. it doesn't appear like we're anywhere close to that? where's all door boarding on buses and GL? or PoP on CR?
August 19, 2026 at 7:33 PM
this got me thinking about AFC 2.0. last public update was in May 2024, where the new Charlie Card was to be launched in 2025 and expanded to CR this past spring. it doesn't appear like we're anywhere close to that? where's all door boarding on buses and GL? or PoP on CR?
The #MBTA blue line is having a lot of issues, but why are they describing the wires of the OCS system as sagging when the Blue Line has had a constant tension system since the 90s?
August 8, 2026 at 12:03 PM
The #MBTA blue line is having a lot of issues, but why are they describing the wires of the OCS system as sagging when the Blue Line has had a constant tension system since the 90s?
The MBTA insists on inspecting the overhead wires on the Blue Line for hours in the middle of each day, which results in 1 in every 6 trips dropped. With huge costs and very unclear benefits, the T needs to find a different way to do this
July 14, 2026 at 4:22 PM
The MBTA insists on inspecting the overhead wires on the Blue Line for hours in the middle of each day, which results in 1 in every 6 trips dropped. With huge costs and very unclear benefits, the T needs to find a different way to do this
Reminder: the editor of the Globe is openly anti-bike and wrote one of the silliest, worst articles on bikes of the past few years: www.bostonglobe.com/2024/08/05/m...
July 11, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Reminder: the editor of the Globe is openly anti-bike and wrote one of the silliest, worst articles on bikes of the past few years: www.bostonglobe.com/2024/08/05/m...
a decade ago, Massachusetts spent roughly the same on highways and the MBTA (~$7b). today, the T’s capital spend has barely kept up with inflation ($10bn) while spending on highways has exploded to $17bn
June 23, 2026 at 12:58 PM
a decade ago, Massachusetts spent roughly the same on highways and the MBTA (~$7b). today, the T’s capital spend has barely kept up with inflation ($10bn) while spending on highways has exploded to $17bn
REM review:
excellent build quality
terrible land use
weirdly bad headways (15m branch) for an automated system
excellent build quality
terrible land use
weirdly bad headways (15m branch) for an automated system
June 19, 2026 at 9:15 PM
REM review:
excellent build quality
terrible land use
weirdly bad headways (15m branch) for an automated system
excellent build quality
terrible land use
weirdly bad headways (15m branch) for an automated system
Part of how the MBTA ended up procuring the most expensive rail vehicles in history —>
You can at least settle for a single height nationwide. Or even on a single line. American agencies requiring dual height doors (and fully accessible internal layouts) are asking for troubles and high costs.
June 19, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Part of how the MBTA ended up procuring the most expensive rail vehicles in history —>
Sorry, I’m just learning today that any 10 registered voters in a Massachusetts town can effectively pause most development for a couple months at a time by filing a bad faith zoning petition?
www.cambridgeday.com/2026/06/12/w...
www.cambridgeday.com/2026/06/12/w...
Will new Cambridge buildings get cut down to size?
Policy order, resident petition take aim at zoning for residential development. Some councillors warn of impact on affordable units.
www.cambridgeday.com
June 13, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Sorry, I’m just learning today that any 10 registered voters in a Massachusetts town can effectively pause most development for a couple months at a time by filing a bad faith zoning petition?
www.cambridgeday.com/2026/06/12/w...
www.cambridgeday.com/2026/06/12/w...
the #MBTA costs are out for the BEMUs. they’re the most expensive rolling stock ever procured. but not just that—at roughly $25m/car ($525m npv over 21 usable cars), they are 2x more expensive than any other rail cars ever bought (per transitcosts.com/rolling-stoc...)
June 12, 2026 at 11:42 AM
the #MBTA costs are out for the BEMUs. they’re the most expensive rolling stock ever procured. but not just that—at roughly $25m/car ($525m npv over 21 usable cars), they are 2x more expensive than any other rail cars ever bought (per transitcosts.com/rolling-stoc...)
Cambridge has already approved 7 public drinking districts for this summer, which will probably be more than the rest of metro Boston combined. the city’s ability to quickly implement things people want (is this governance?) is unmatched
www.cambridgema.gov/news/2026/06...
www.cambridgema.gov/news/2026/06...
City of Cambridge Approves Seasonal Sale of Alcohol-to-Go, Public Consumption Districts, and Extended Hours to Support Local Businesses
Acting on recommendations from the City Manager’s Office, the License Commission has authorized the sale of alcohol-to-go for permitted businesses within designated open container districts/public con...
www.cambridgema.gov
June 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Cambridge has already approved 7 public drinking districts for this summer, which will probably be more than the rest of metro Boston combined. the city’s ability to quickly implement things people want (is this governance?) is unmatched
www.cambridgema.gov/news/2026/06...
www.cambridgema.gov/news/2026/06...
Fairmount BEMUs delayed 2-3 years, partially because the T didn’t specify they wanted each car in the trainset to be fully accessible
cdn.mbta.com/sites/defaul...
cdn.mbta.com/sites/defaul...
May 29, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Fairmount BEMUs delayed 2-3 years, partially because the T didn’t specify they wanted each car in the trainset to be fully accessible
cdn.mbta.com/sites/defaul...
cdn.mbta.com/sites/defaul...
If you strip out wayfinding (not a WC ops expense?) and security (I think will be reimbursed) then an $80 ticket at full sellout gets you to ~100% recovery…would not be surprised if this is how they priced it
Too bad they won’t sell out (~37% as of yesterday)
Too bad they won’t sell out (~37% as of yesterday)
Even with $80 tickets, @mbta.com still expects to lose millions of dollars on World Cup transit service, which is imposing massive and unusual logistical challenges for the agency. Find out why from @jaimereporting.bsky.social:
#mapoli
mass.streetsblog.org/2026/05/28/e...
#mapoli
mass.streetsblog.org/2026/05/28/e...
Even With $80 Tickets, MBTA Expects to Lose Money On World Cup Transit Service - Streetsblog Massachusetts
According to the T's internal cost projections, Massachusetts taxpayers will spend millions of dollars to transport soccer fans this summer.
mass.streetsblog.org
May 28, 2026 at 5:01 PM
If you strip out wayfinding (not a WC ops expense?) and security (I think will be reimbursed) then an $80 ticket at full sellout gets you to ~100% recovery…would not be surprised if this is how they priced it
Too bad they won’t sell out (~37% as of yesterday)
Too bad they won’t sell out (~37% as of yesterday)
Why is MassDOT spending $4bn on new bridges to the Cape without any mitigation for transit? Why are they allowed to?
www.wcvb.com/article/cape...
www.wcvb.com/article/cape...
Cape Cod leaders push for expanded commuter rail service
Cape Cod lawmakers and transit officials are calling for expanded commuter rail service to Bourne and beyond.
www.wcvb.com
May 28, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Why is MassDOT spending $4bn on new bridges to the Cape without any mitigation for transit? Why are they allowed to?
www.wcvb.com/article/cape...
www.wcvb.com/article/cape...
Reposted by Christopher Friend
It is simply dishonest for anyone in Boston to claim that "macroeconomic conditions" are solely to blame for our construction slowdown. NYC has the same high interest rates, land & labor costs as Boston. The difference is policy reforms under city's power to accelerate housing production citywide.
Looks like Eric Adams really delivered on housing production with City of Yes newyorkyimby.com/2026/05/new-...
New York YIMBY’s 2026 First-Quarter Construction Report Tallies a Dramatic Increase in Development - New York YIMBY
YIMBY has revealed its report on construction permit filing activity for the first quarter of 2026 across the five boroughs.
newyorkyimby.com
May 26, 2026 at 5:13 PM
It is simply dishonest for anyone in Boston to claim that "macroeconomic conditions" are solely to blame for our construction slowdown. NYC has the same high interest rates, land & labor costs as Boston. The difference is policy reforms under city's power to accelerate housing production citywide.
of course this isn’t true—per the Singaporean census, while roughly equal numbers of people have bus only and rail only commutes, the poorest are 2-3x more likely to have a bus only commute, while the richest are 2-3x more likely to have a rail only commute
www.singstat.gov.sg/publication-...
www.singstat.gov.sg/publication-...
May 22, 2026 at 7:07 PM
of course this isn’t true—per the Singaporean census, while roughly equal numbers of people have bus only and rail only commutes, the poorest are 2-3x more likely to have a bus only commute, while the richest are 2-3x more likely to have a rail only commute
www.singstat.gov.sg/publication-...
www.singstat.gov.sg/publication-...