news to us Archives

COMMUTER COMMUNICATION

Amid Multiple Crises, MBTA Fields Pitches For New Agency Marketing Campaign “You don’t want to be too rosy but I actually think they can do a better job of highlighting the work they have done.” After paying a politically-connected consulting firm more than $4 million to come up with slogans

DAN ATKINSON March 30, 2023

PAYING TO PLAY

How Rideshare and Delivery Companies Raised $43 Million and Bought Influence In Mass What can $43 million buy? If you’re an alliance of rideshare giants and delivery app companies, it can buy millions of dollars in TV ads, high-powered consultants, and campaign workers who cross over with your biggest opponent.

DAN ATKINSON September 29, 2022

UNFARE?

Transit advocates question costly MBTA study to determine new fare structures As the MBTA prepares to launch a massive study of its fare policies—paying private contractors nearly $1 million to recommend potential changes—transit advocates are questioning why the outgoing Baker administration is setting goals for the T and are urging

DAN ATKINSON September 14, 2022

HACKS, FACTS & CONTRACTS: FOIA FOLLOW-UP

Photo of Gov. Baker surveying Orange Line track work in 2019 by Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office Internal Emails Show How MBTA Sought To Market “Safe,” “Good” Trains As System Failed Starting today, the MBTA shut down the entire Orange Line for a month for massive maintenance and repair work. Riders

DAN ATKINSON August 19, 2022