Marty knows that getting from good homes to good schools and good jobs depends on good transportation. Transportation is what connects us to opportunities, and to one another. As someone who’s lived and worked in Boston his whole life, Marty knows that getting around in our city isn’t always easy. As mayor, he’s been committed to making Boston’s transportation system more reliable, more accessible, and safer.

To that end, Mayor Walsh launched and completed a comprehensive transportation plan, GoBoston2030. More than 6,000 people across every neighborhood gave input into what would improve their commutes. The results were as follows: 1) to ensure that Boston residents live within 10 minutes of a public transit stop; 2) reduce traffic fatalities until they are entirely eliminated; and 3) cut Bostonians’ commute times by 10 percent.

Marty’s Record

  • Upgrading Boston’s infrastructure. Completed projects in Uphams Corner in Dorchester and Central Square in East Boston, and broke ground on a redesigned Commonwealth Avenue from Allston to Fenway.
  • Launched a “Vision Zero” plan to reduce road fatalities with goal of eliminating them.
  • Lowered the default speed limit to 25 miles per hour citywide, a proven method of reducing traffic fatalities.
  • Launched the Neighborhood Slow Streets program in Jamaica Plain and Dorchester and this year expanded it to 5 new zones in Chinatown, Dorchester, Roxbury, and Roslindale, slowing traffic in these 10-15 block areas to 20 m.p.h.
  • Installed protected bike lanes Downtown and in the Back Bay and expanded bike lanes across the city.
  • Began comprehensive revitalizing of crosswalks and lane markings citywide.
  • Introduced up-to-date, adaptive traffic light technology that reduces congestion.
  • Piloted self-driving cars in protected areas to make sure this growing technology can work for Boston.
  • Made every parking meter in Boston payable by a convenient mobile app, ParkBoston.
  • Launched a new parking meter system in Back Bay and the South Boston waterfront to make finding a space easier and faster.
  • Launched DriveBoston, a program to make city space available to car share vehicles.
  • Created the Boston’s Safest Driver app to help drivers improve their habits and held a competition to promote safer driving.
  • Held free clinics to empower women in Boston to ride bicycles.
  • State infrastructure advocacy. Called on the state to enact a comprehensive, fully funded plan to move the MBTA into the 21st century, with better commuter rail service, including a commitment to the Fairmount Line; smarter bus routes; more dependable trains; and new connections for under-served neighborhoods like Mattapan to job hubs like Longwood Medical Area.
  • Federal infrastructure advocacy. Hosted a meeting in Boston of mayors from across the U.S. to call for federal infrastructure investment as a vital tool in the fight to reduce inequality. Learn more, here.

Marty’s Plan

  • Use every tool at a City’s disposal, including municipal, state, and federal funds, to advance the goals of GoBoston2030 toward a more efficient and more equitable transportation system.  
  • Invest in the Fairmount Line corridor that runs from Upham’s Corner to Hyde Park, including state advocacy for more frequent rail service. This is a central component of Boston’s first citywide plan in over 50 years, Imagine Boston 2030.
  • With the community as a partner, transform Rutherford Ave. and Sullivan Square in Charlestown; North Washington St. Bridge in the North End; Melnea Cass Boulevard in Roxbury and the South End; and the Northern Avenue Bridge at Fort Point Channel.