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Transportation affects everyone. The region’s roads, rails, sidewalks, paths, and ferry lines connect people to jobs, activities, and loved ones. There are many ways to get involved in shaping the Boston region’s transportation future. Subscribe to the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO) communications for updates and continue reading for more ways to influence transportation planning in the Boston region.
Updates to the MPO’s Public Participation Plan
The MPO’s Public Participation Plan (PDF) (HTML), adopted in October of 2014, documents the outreach activities the MPO engages in to ensure that all members of the public are given the opportunity to participate in the metropolitan transportation planning process. In April of 2019, the Plan was revised to change the public review period for the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) from 30 to 21 days and to reflect recent changes in legislation, information and communication technologies, and public participation practices.
Connect
The MPO welcomes input from members of the public.
- Attend an MPO meeting. Check out the MPO meeting calendar for meeting agendas, minutes, and materials. All locations are accessible to people with disabilities and near public transit. Upon request (preferably two weeks in advance of the meeting), MPO staff will make every effort to provide listening devices, translations, interpreters, or other accommodations that individuals might need to participate.
- Submit a comment. There are many ways to contact MPO staff.
- Office: State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 2150, Boston, MA 02116
- Phone: 857.702.3658 (voice), 617.570.9192 (fax), 617.570.9193 (TTY)
- Website: ctps.org/contact
- Email: publicinfo@ctps.org
- Advise the MPO. The MPO’s Regional Transportation Advisory Council is a diverse group of municipalities, local businesses, public agencies, advocacy groups, and other interested parties. The Advisory Council offers essential, independent advice to the MPO and has a seat on the MPO board. Members of the public can attend a meeting or apply to serve on the Council.
- Connect with an MPO representative. The MPO’s 24 members include state and federal agencies, advisory councils and boards, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, the City of Boston, and 12 other municipalities.
- Connect with the MPO’s partners. The MPO is one of many groups working to advance transportation in the Boston region. Some of its member agencies also have independent advisory committees, which offer additional avenues for public participation in regional transportation planning:
- MBTA Advisory Board provides technical assistance, information, and public oversight to the MBTA on behalf of the transit-riding public.
- Riders’ Transportation Access Group (R-TAG) helps people with disabilities advocate for improvements to the MBTA system.
- MBTA Rider Oversight Committee communicates the needs and concerns of riders to the MBTA.
- Massport Community Advisory Committee makes recommendations about Massport’s programs to Massport, the Governor of Massachusetts, and the state legislature.
- MBTA Advisory Board provides technical assistance, information, and public oversight to the MBTA on behalf of the transit-riding public.
- Connect locally. Although the MPO has a role in deciding which projects are funded with federal dollars, other agencies and municipalities have a part to play, too. By becoming involved locally, individuals can help ensure that future investments reflect local and regional priorities. Contact MassDOT, the MBTA, or a local town planning office to learn how to get involved.
For more information, read our Public Participation Plan (PDF) (HTML) or contact Kate White, MPO staff, at 857.702.3658 (voice), 617.570.9193 (TTY), or kwhite@ctps.org.