Dear Riders,
 
 We hope this email finds you well. During this season of giving thanks, we are grateful for your ongoing interest and support towards making the MBTA a model for accessible transportation. In this November edition of our newsletter, read on to learn more about:

• Upcoming RTAG Public Forum – Service Dog Refusal on Ride Share Vehicles
• Semi-Annual Update on Daniels-Finegold Settlement
• MBTA Announces New Green Line Car Exterior Paint Design
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities
• Did You Know? Our MBTA buses are more accessible than ever
• Preparing for the Winter
• December RTAG General Meeting

Public Forum – Service Dog Refusal on Ride Share Vehicles

RTAG, the Boston Center for Independent Living, and the Bay State Council of the Blind will host a public forum on November 9 from 6–8 P.M. This is an opportunity for community members to meet with MBTA, Uber, and Lyft representatives to share their rideshare experience as passengers with service dogs and submit feedback and ideas regarding the parties' commitment to riders with service animals.
 
Please register in advance here.
  
 We hope to see you there.

Semi-Annual Public Meeting on the Status of the Daniels-Finegold Settlement 

The Honorable Judge Patrick King will host a semi-annual settlement update meeting via Zoom on December 6, 2023. Judge King will report on the MBTA's progress toward compliance with the Daniels-Finegold Settlement Agreement focused on accessibility. The General Manager and other MBTA officials will provide updates and answer questions about ongoing accessibility initiatives.
 
 Note: This meeting will focus on bus, subway, and Commuter Rail accessibility. It will not cover The RIDE.
 
 Date: Wednesday, December 6, 2023
 Time: 5:30 P.M.–7:30 P.M. EST
 Location: Zoom
 
Register in advance for this meeting. You will receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting after you register. 

MBTA Announces New Green Line Car Exterior Paint Design

On October 16, 2023, the MBTA announced the exterior paint design of the new Green Line Type 10 "supercars," which was selected by a majority of respondents to an online survey hosted by the MBTA. Riders and MBTA employees were invited to select one of three exterior paint designs for the new cars through the survey. More than 16,300 responses were received, with the winning design receiving 9,566 votes.
 
 
 The winning design is "Option 3," featuring a green and dark gray paint scheme along the body of the vehicle, green doors, and a white and turquoise green lower running stripe.
 
"Ensuring we engage with riders and incorporate their feedback is critical in everything we do. I thank our riders for taking the time to engage with us on the exterior design of the new Type 10 Green Line supercars," said MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. "We value the time it takes to vote, and the fact that we heard directly from thousands of riders demonstrates the importance of these new Green Line cars to the public. It's important for riders to know that we care about both their safety and also their experiences on the system, and we are incorporating their feedback into our decision-making. Thank you to our Customer Experience and Vehicle Engineering team for their work, and again to our riders for continuing to engage with us."
 
 The supercars will be in design for several more years before pilot vehicles are introduced to the system. The MBTA also anticipates a mock-up of the Green Line Type 10 supercar will be available next year for riders and the public to visit and offer their feedback. 
  

December 3: International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

 December 3^rd marks the annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. First proclaimed in 1992 by the United Nations, the Day seeks to "promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life."
  

Here at the MBTA, we recognize that accessible public transportation is critical to that integration.   From improved station and vehicle accessibility to more staff in stations to free travel training services for riders, we are working to make the T a safe and accessible option for everyone.
  

To learn more, visit: https://www.mbta.com/accessibility

Did you know?
 
 
 Our buses are more accessible than ever, with more priority seating and a ramp at every front door.
 
 Whether using a wheeled mobility device, a parent with a stroller, traveling with a shopping cart or luggage or for many other reasons, you can board any MBTA bus using a ramp at the front door. Ask the Operator.
 
 In addition to a ramp and more priority seating, accessibility features on every MBTA bus include:

• A kneeler to lower buses for easier boarding and exiting
• Digital screens and an automated public address system for the announcement of bus stops and service information
• Two extra-large securement areas to accommodate a wide variety of wheeled mobility devices.
• Digital screens and speakers on the outside of the buses that announce the bus route and destination.
• High-contrast handrails for increased visibility
• A Braille decal displaying the bus number is located just inside the front door

 
 The design of our latest fleet of buses was heavily influenced by feedback from riders with disabilities. The interior layout provides additional flexibility and space for more comfortable boarding and riding for everyone.
  
 Accessibility benefits us all! That's Access in Motion.
 
Learn more

Preparing for the Cold Weather and Snow
 
 
 
 As another winter in New England approaches,  we have already begun making preparations to ensure our services remain safe and accessible throughout the colder months. We want to ensure you have the information and tools to stay informed and plan accordingly.
 
The best resource is the MBTA's Winter Weather Travel Guide, which includes information on what to expect on each mode of travel and how to receive service updates. The Guide also includes details regarding snow removal at bus stops – noting that the MBTA clears snow at stops along the 15 "Key Routes," while cities and towns have responsibility for the remaining stops in their communities.
 
With that in mind, if you encounter a snow-obstructed station or bus stop on one of the 15 Key Routes, please let us know by Calling 617-222-3200 (711 for Relay) or by filling out an online Contact Us Form
 
  

RTAG General Meeting
 
 Date: Thursday, December 14, 2023
Time: 5:30 PM–7:30 PM
Location: Zoom
 
Register for the RTAG General Meeting
 
 The Riders' Transportation Access Group (RTAG) is a customer organization with a mission to advise the MBTA on transportation issues that affect people with disabilities and older adults. Please join us for our upcoming general meeting.
 All RTAG meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and people with limited English proficiency. Real-time captioning (CART) and an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be provided for this meeting. Other accessibility accommodations and language services will be provided free of charge upon request, as available.
 
To request reasonable accommodation or language services, please email rtagboston@bostoncil.org or call Kat at 978-893-8100 at least two weeks before the meeting.
 
Sign up for the R-TAG newsletter.

Safe & Accessible Travels,
 
 The Department of System-Wide Accessibility