Budget revision 7/2020:the $223265 in unexpended funding will be applied to communications outreach and media strategy for the fairmount/indigo commuter rail pilot since the project originally…

Budget revision 7/2020:the $223265 in unexpended funding will be applied to communications outreach and media strategy for the fairmount/indigo commuter rail pilot since the project originally proposed under this grant is no longer being advanced.original grant:the massachusetts BAY transportation authority (MBTA) is requesting $352500 in flexed fhwa tcsp funding for planning and enhancements on the fairmount corridor. Fhwa operating budget transfer document dated 3/11/2013 is attached. Backgroundthe fairmount corridor commuter rail line operated by the MBTA currently runs from south station south through the boston neighborhoods of dorchester roxbury mattapan and terminates in the readville section of hyde park. IT consists of approximately 9.2 miles of track seven stations (including the three newest ones) and forty-one bridges. IT is the only commuter rail branch that exclusively serves the city of boston and MBTA#8242; S urban core. In october of 2002 the MBTA performed a feasibility study (attached in team) to identify infrastructure upgrades needed to maintain a state of good repair on the fairmount line. The identified upgrades included rehabilitating existing stations reconstructing several bridges constructing a new track interlocking switching system upgrading the existing signal system and DE-leading painting and minor repair work to other bridges. The feasibility study also identified certain elements that would significantly increase ridership and revenues and potentially alleviate the issue of overcrowded buses along the fairmount corridor. One of these elements included constructing three new commuter rail stations that would provide a higher quality level of bus service and an alternative mode of transportation in walk-to stations for neighborhood residents along the corridor. Since the study was released the MBTA has embarked upon several of the recommended actions including constructing three new stations (four corners/geneva talbot avenue and newmarket) along the rail corridor. These stations officially opened for service in summer 2013. A fourth new station at mattapan is in design and is planned for construction in 2014-15. In addition the MBTA has modernized the already-existing stations reconstructed seven rail bridges and upgraded track and signal infrastructure. The purpose of this capital investment was to open up public access to the line for everyone including previously underserved neighborhoods and to expand travel options for fairmount corridor residents and workers many of whom are low- and moderate-income minorities. The MBTA is nearing completion of its 10-year $200 million transit capital investment to upgrade the line. Currently many residents believe that the fairmount/indigo line does not exist to provide local service for them but that IT is for commuters from outside the city. For decades there were few stops on the line and the existing stations had fallen into significant disrepair. In addition the mbtas rapid transit/subway/light rail lines like the red line and blue line do not directly serve these neighborhoods. As a result residents have been heavily dependent on MBTA bus service a transportation mode that is heavily burdened by congested street traffic and vehicle overcrowding and as a result is often unreliable and vulnerable to delays.projectthis tcsp grant will be used by the MBTA working with its community partner the fairmount indigo line CDC collaborative to make the fairmount line more visible to local residents and local businesses as a good transit option to use to get to work school and stores. The grant will support a major public education and outreach campaign to increase residents awareness of the fairmount service options including fare structure and how to connect fairmount/indigo line trips with local bus service and rapid transit connections downtown. This effort is needed to make residents aware that the line is indeed for them and to foster transit as the primary transportation choice in the roxbury/dorchester/mattapan/hyde park corridor. Funds will also be used to develop a stronger relationship between the MBTA and businesses in the fairmount corridor and to maximize the mutual benefit the upgraded line can have like attracting more shoppers to local businesses helping employees get to work and encouraging increased ridership through local ticket sales. The availability of high-quality safe and efficient transit will contribute positively to the economic development in the corridor and will hopefully encourage more businesses to locate and/or expand in the area. In addition funds will be used to pilot enhanced station areas with improved and updated design elements and programming to enliven the areas thereby increasing safety attracting riders and developing a sense of place that strengthens connections between the transit infrastructure the nearby commercial districts and the neighborhood residents. Scope of workthe project will focus on three tasks:1) corridor outreach on transit service access use produce informational materials and implement public outreach strategies to inform residents and businesses about the improved and expanded fairmount rail service including: routes stops schedules fare options bus and rapid transit connections and major attractions at or near stations. Develop and maintain social media platforms to educate the public on the fairmount line. Possible platforms include websites linked to WWW.MBTA.COM facebook pages twitter and other tools to increase communication and the flow of information.2) build relationships with local businesses establish a working group of MBTA and fairmount corridor business representatives local main streets organizations and other business support agencies to develop stronger linkages between the rail service and local business districts. Pilot a ticket vendor sales program with one or more businesses at different stations. Outreach to local businesses about the MBTA corporate pass program for employees. Develop an adopt-a-station program to recruit local businesses to assist with maintenance and/or other station enhancements in exchange for advertising space or other benefits.3) connect the stations to the local community through placemaking strategies convene placemaking charettes at chosen stations with key stakeholders to identify strategies and workplans to enhance station areas and strengthen connections between the transit infrastructure and the nearby commercial districts. Coordinate planning of station area improvements with the fairmount/indigo line planning initiative led by the city of boston through the boston redevelopment authority. Design enhanced signage street furniture and/or other amenities to help distinguish the newly upgraded fairmount line. Implement a pilot program to showcase these enhancements at one or more stations. Develop and undertake a plan of programming and other placemaking strategies to increase public activity at the stations that enhance safety attract riders and shoppers and link the transit infrastructure to the local community at two or more stations.outcomes:build ridership compilation and dissemination of well-designed public information materials on the fairmount line service increased usage of zone 1A passes on trains by at least 20% increased line ridership from 2013 base by 20% identify effective ridership building strategies coordination with mass green DOT implementation plan enhanced communication between the MBTA and corridor residents and riders through social media and other platforms greater public awareness and customer satisfaction based on rider surveys or focus groups participation of at least 150 corridor residents employees and business owners in dialogues with the MBTA and policy makers about fairmount servicebuild relationships with local businesses established working partnerships between the MBTA and corridor business districts. Local businesses report positive impacts from new station openings feasibility determined for establishing a fairmount corridor business association at least one adopt-a-station agreement in place with a local business at least one local employer offers the MBTA employee pass purchase program connect the stations to the local community station access improvements are coordinated with the city of boston and the boston redevelopment authority station area planning efforts new signage street furniture and/or other amenities with overall fairmount line design elements are installed at one or more stations increased public activities implemented at two or more station areasthis project is included in the most recent stip and upwp. MBTA is current with civil rights requirements milestone progress reports and financial status reports. All administrative and statutory requirements have been met.