MBTA in a state of disrepair. (Boston: colleges, place to live, beaches)

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by miu

I grew up in Concord, MA, spent my young adulthood in Cambridge, followed by living in Newton for twenty-five years... and eleven years ago, I moved up to NH. Best decision ever.

The problem I see with the Metro Boston area is that it's way over-developed. And the MBTA and our public roads can't handle the increased population and the congestion that comes with it. Boston is built on landfill, so the tracks can't go deep like the subway system in NYC. And the tunnels are narrow, and the subway platforms are short, which limits the size of the trains and how many subway cars that can be linked.

And the Boston area streets aren't laid out on a sensible grid system like NYC, and they are narrow... then they added the stupid bicycle and bus lanes. What a hot mess.

Yep. I agree with this. Boston was never meant to be a huge metro city like NYC, London or LA. I was thinking this as I drove down Tremont st last week in traffic and a bus attempted to turn on the st from around the corner. It took forever.

But everyone wants to live in Bahstan and thinks Bahstan is so great and wants to live here or as close as they can get to it so who cares.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by GeePee

There are a lot older cities with narrower streets in this world that function better than Boston. The problem is the accountability and the will of good leadership. There are a lot of smart people in this city. It has seemed status que for the past few decades to just let the infrastructure rot. We have grown as a city but nobody seems to pay attention to what goes into that in the long run. We need better leaders. We need to get over this dumb intra citizen combat and focus on our needs for the greater good. Good journalism, good leadership, accountability, will to grow intelligently. It can be done.

Apparently people don't want it to be done or it would be happening. No one cares about the people that need to get into Boston via T or sit in traffic on the roads. They don't care how you get to work, they just care that you get there.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by GeePee

There are a lot older cities with narrower streets in this world that function better than Boston. The problem is the accountability and the will of good leadership. There are a lot of smart people in this city. It has seemed status que for the past few decades to just let the infrastructure rot. We have grown as a city but nobody seems to pay attention to what goes into that in the long run. We need better leaders. We need to get over this dumb intra citizen combat and focus on our needs for the greater good. Good journalism, good leadership, accountability, will to grow intelligently. It can be done.

This.

People forget Boston used to actually be larger city (800k vs. 650k today). The difference is that there were far fewer cars on the road and a more extensive transit network. We axed transit lines and routes and encouraged cars. And then we let both the car infrastructure and the remaining transit infrastructure deteriorate to an embarrassing degree. Now we have to fix the mess. There's no reason Boston can't continue to grow and move people efficiently and reliably. Many older, denser cities with even more tangled street grids manage to do this just fine. It's a matter of will.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by lrfox

This.

People forget Boston used to actually be larger city (800k vs. 650k today). The difference is that there were far fewer cars on the road and a more extensive transit network. We axed transit lines and routes and encouraged cars. And then we let both the car infrastructure and the remaining transit infrastructure deteriorate to an embarrassing degree. Now we have to fix the mess. There's no reason Boston can't continue to grow and move people efficiently and reliably. Many older, denser cities with even more tangled street grids manage to do this just fine. It's a matter of will.

Cars make ALL the difference so the fact that there were more people is a moot point. If anything there are less people living there because of how expensive it has become. There are many more companies there now that have made their home there that thousands of people try to commute to on a daily basis now as well.

[lrfox]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Cars make ALL the difference so the fact that there were more people is a moot point. If anything there are less people living there because of how expensive it has become. There are many more companies there now that have made their home there that thousands of people try to commute to on a daily basis now as well.

Sure, but the point is that Boston's population, its density, and its transportation needs are not unique or insurmountable. There are many examples all over the world (and several here in the U.S.) of cities with similar or greater challenges to what Boston faces that do it better. Boston can move people around the city and metro area better. Our roads can be better. Our transit system can be better. Saying "Boston's too crowded" is a lazy excuse for decades of mismanaged transportation. The answer is fix what's broken rather than whine about people moving here. That's such a backwards perspective.

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by lrfox

Sure, but the point is that Boston's population, its density, and its transportation needs are not unique or insurmountable. There are many examples all over the world (and several here in the U.S.) of cities with similar or greater challenges to what Boston faces that do it better. Boston can move people around the city and metro area better. Our roads can be better. Our transit system can be better. Saying "Boston's too crowded" is a lazy excuse for decades of mismanaged transportation. The answer is fix what's broken rather than whine about people moving here. That's such a backwards perspective.

Well no one's fixing it lol. And yes Boston is too crowded. Until it's fixed, if it's fixed we shouldn't be encouraging MORE people to live here...but here we are.

[GeePee]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Well no one's fixing it lol. And yes Boston is too crowded. Until it's fixed, if it's fixed we shouldn't be encouraging MORE people to live here...but here we are.

Interesting perspective. we should just go with the "whattya gunna do" tactics and complain right?

[msRB311]

Originally Posted by GeePee

Interesting perspective. we should just go with the "whattya gunna do" tactics and complain right?

Until it gets fixed yes. Do you have the power to do anything? Didn't think so...but sure let's welcome everyone.

[AtkinsonDan]

Originally Posted by GeePee

There are a lot of smart people in this city. It has seemed status que for the past few decades to just let the infrastructure rot. We have grown as a city but nobody seems to pay attention to what goes into that in the long run. We need better leaders. We need to get over this dumb intra citizen combat and focus on our needs for the greater good. Good journalism, good leadership, accountability, will to grow intelligently. It can be done.

Most infrastructure is not sexy and glamorous so political leaders who are in the game for fame, glory and other superficial reasons turn a blind eye to it.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by msRB311

Well no one's fixing it lol. And yes Boston is too crowded. Until it's fixed, if it's fixed we shouldn't be encouraging MORE people to live here...but here we are.

It partially is what's discouraging people to move here as well as encouraging people to move away. Problem is, it's typically the people we should WANT to be here that it's discouraging.