MBTA Invites Public Comment on the Proposed Capital Investment Plan for Fiscal Years 2027 – 2031

The proposed Fiscal Years 2027 - 2031 MBTA Capital Investment Plan includes all planned capital investments over the next five years.

The MBTA today released the proposed Fiscal Years 2027 - 2031 MBTA Capital Investment Plan (FY27 - 31 MBTA CIP) for public comment, marking the beginning of a 21-day public comment period.

"Under the leadership of the Healey-Driscoll Administration and with the support of our Legislative and municipal partners, the MBTA continues to set a national example for how to accelerate transportation infrastructure projects that drive economic vitality supporting jobs, businesses, and communities," said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. "We are strategically planning to deliver capital projects that deliver meaningful benefits, improve service, and ensure safety to meet and exceed the needs of today and future generations. I invite all riders and community members to weigh in on the proposed Capital Investment Plan - your input is essential as we continue to build the MBTA in which we can all take pride."

The CIP is a rolling, five-year financial plan that funds all MBTA capital projects, seeking to deliver meaningful results for riders today while building a best-in-class transit system for the future. Capital projects are investments or activities related to acquiring, renewing, constructing, improving, or maintaining a capital asset, including project planning and design. To support these goals, the capital projects in the proposed FY27 - 31 CIP focus on:

• Regular Maintenance: Building on the MBTA's recent progress to effectively and efficiently deliver results for our riders now and in the future.
  
• Building for the Future: Tackling major modernization projects that set a strong foundation for future infrastructure while seeking additional funding.
  
• Improving Service for our Riders: Ensuring improved service in the near- and long-term by improving frequency and reliability, decarbonizing the system, and improving the experience of riders.

This proposed FY27-31 MBTA CIP includes over 680 unique capital projects for a programmed spend of $10 billion over the next five fiscal years to modernize, improve, and increase the safety and reliability of the MBTA. These investments aim to maintain a state of good repair, modernize MBTA assets, improve service, and meet strategic priorities and performance goals. It is informed by the Capital Needs Assessment and Inventory, the MBTA Strategic Plan, and long-term plans such as Focus40, the Rail Modernization Plan, and Focus 2050, the Program for Mass Transportation (PMT) currently in development and also open to public comment now. Updated every five years, the PMT will bridge the MBTA Strategic Plan and the fiscally constrained CIP, identifying investment priorities and potential capital improvements over 25 years through 2050.

The proposed CIP is now available on mbta.com/CIP and includes an overview of the MBTA's capital planning process, summaries of modal investments and initiatives, and the full list of proposed capital projects. The proposed CIP also forecasts anticipated funding levels in future years where the MBTA will be challenged to ensure that it stays on course to achieve its capital investment targets.

The MBTA encourages members of the public to provide input on the proposed FY27 - 31 CIP by April 16, 2026.

The MBTA will host one virtual public meeting and one in-person public meeting to provide an overview of the proposed FY27 - 31 CIP and invite attendees to share their feedback:

• Virtual: Tuesday, March 31, 6 PM, via Zoom. More information is available at mbta.com/events.
  
• In person: Monday, April 13, 6 PM within the Second Floor Board Room at the State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston. More information is available at mbta.com/events.

Meeting registration links, presentation materials, and recordings are available at mbta.com/CIP and mbta.com/events.

Members of the public who are unable to attend a public meeting are invited to provide comments by:

• Completing the online comment form available at mbta.com/CIP.
• Sending an email to [email protected].
• Mailing a letter to MBTA Capital Investment Plan c/o MBTA External Affairs, 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3830, Boston, MA 02116.

Public feedback is essential to the MBTA's capital planning effort and rider input is appreciated. All comments will be reviewed and considered by MBTA staff, and summary responses will be shared after the approval of the final CIP.