Long-term planning for transit investments statewide is ongoing, and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority says it wants feedback from riders, stakeholders and communities.
The state-mandated Program for Mass Transportation includes a planning process called Focus 2050 for “a safer, more reliable, more accessible MBTA” through the year 2050 – meaning preparing the system for climate impacts and changing travel patterns within a Capital Investment Plan, the agency said in a Monday email.
The idea is to identify investment priorities and potential capital improvements for the next 25 years, the agency said. The MBTA plans more than 20 popup events in stations to meet riders and gather ideas, though it has announced events only through mid-May. None are in Cambridge or Somerville, but come April 15 to Chelsea; May 7 to Boston and May 19 to Lawrence. A virtual meeting was held March 18 at which riders called for improved connections, more green line capacity and tunnel flood prevention and other prep for weather changes and storms.
MBTA staff will be listening at two local popups:
Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Kendall/MIT station, 300 Main St., Kendall Square, Cambridge
Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Harvard Station, 1400 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge
Comments and ideas can also be sent to the MBTA at focus2050@mbta.com.
The Program for Mass Transportation is updated every five years and bridges the MBTA Strategic Plan and “the fiscally constrained CIP.” The investment plan includes more than 600 projects. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation board approved $843 million in funding in July 2024 for a five-year capital investment plan, and after generations of neglect, infrastructure upgrades are pegged at $24.5 billion.
The agency’s previous 25-year investment plan was Focus40. Since its release, the MBTA says it has delivered several major projects, including completing the green line extension, which extended service to Tufts in Somerville; extending commuter rail service to Fall River and New Bedford; and replacing the orange line fleet with new cars.
“The public, our riders, communities and the businesses we serve can help shape decisions and priorities for the T. Feedback is invaluable on what is most meaningful to improve their quality of life,” said Phillip Eng, the MBTA’s general manager and interim Secretary, in a press release. “We are rebuilding our transportation network. [This] plan is about delivering what riders expect and deserves, a transit system that people can be proud of.”
This post was updated April 15. 2026, with information about two local popups.
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