Spilling the T

What will it take to meaningfully build a better T? On this episode of Spilling the T, transit advocate and former Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation, Jim Aloisi joins us to discuss what real progress requires. We discuss the best way to get people to mode shift, how to finally connect the Red and Blue Lines, new funding options for the T, why public transit is an essential part of a health...

Ever wondered how the T is planning for climate change? On this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined by two guests, Katherine Eshel and Caroline Bean, from the MBTA’s Climate Policy and Planning team. Kat and Caroline discuss the T’s two pronged approach to climate change in resilience and decarbonization. We’ll talk stats and data on the T’s environmental impact, how mode shifting to public tr...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined by Reggie Ramos, Executive Director of Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA). Reggie shares the story of how she got into advocacy from an early start as an outspoken 12 year old activist in the Philippines, to being the Under Secretary of Transportation for an entire country, to her current role at T4MA. Reggie has almost literally done it all, an...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined by Sam Zhou, Chief Engineer & Assistant General Manager of Engineering and Capital at the MBTA. Sam shares his innovative approach to streamlining projects at the T. He gives us the rundown on what “A new way of doing business at the T” really means, including how we’re saving money, delivering results more quickly, and making the T better for everyo...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined by Randy Clarke, General Manager and CEO of WMATA, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Randy recaps how he ended up leading WMATA, including stints at the MBTA and CapMetro. Randy also shares what WMATA’s plans for the future are and what the MBTA and WMATA can learn from each other to keep public transit moving in the right direction...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined by Holly Arnold, administrator for the 13th largest transit system in the US, the Maryland Transit Administration. Holly will chat with us about the MTA’s approach to navigating aging infrastructure, funding challenges, fare updates, and how the MTA is working with riders to look towards the future. If you’ve ever wondered how other public transit sy...

For Boston, Summer 2026 is set to be one of the busiest seasons in recent history. Next year, Massachusetts will host seven FIFA World Cup matches while simultaneously celebrating the 250th anniversary of the nation alongside visitors from around the world. With hundreds of thousands of people anticipated to be visiting the region for these events, the MBTA needed a solid plan to keep riders and v...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined by Pari Kim, one of the stars of Netflix’s "Love on the Spectrum". Long before Pari was featured on the show, she was the MBTA’s biggest fan and a passionate rail enthusiast. In this episode, we chat with Pari about her newfound fame, how she’s using her platform to advocate for public transit, what her plans for the future are, and how she plans to...

In this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined by David Perry, Director of Ferry Operations at the MBTA. David shares the story of how his role came to be, what his day to day duties are and how far the ferry system has come in recent years. He also gives us a rundown on what riders can expect for ferry schedule and frequency as the T works to continue to support this incredible mode of transport...

In this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined by Kate Dineen, President and CEO of A Better City. Kate shares how her organization is working to shape a more sustainable, connected, and competitive Greater Boston through strategic investments in transportation, infrastructure, and land use. We talk about the role transit plays in economic growth, climate resilience, and regional equity, and how...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined by Senator Brendan Crighton of the Third Essex district. Senator Crighton chats with us about his district’s relationship to transit, how transit helps provide economic development to the region, and what T projects are particularly exciting to his constituents. We’ll hear about electrification, ferry service and the environmental justice corridor an...

In this episode of Spilling the T, we’re joined once again by MBTA General Manager Phil Eng, who shares exciting updates on the T’s journey toward improvement. Phil reflects on the successful completion of the Track Improvement Plan and outlines how 2025 will mark another year of significant progress. He also dives into the implications of Governor Healey’s transformative $8 billion commitment to...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we speak with Sam Zhou, Assistant General Manager of Engineering and Capital at the MBTA. Sam brings over 30 years of project management experience to the T. With Sam’s practiced leadership, the MBTA has been able to leverage 26 service diversions over the past 14 months to accomplish the equivalent of 40 years worth of night and weekend system wide maintenance....

On this episode of Spilling the T, we speak with McKinley Theobald, Deputy Director of Emergency Management at MassDOT. McKinley shares her strategy for emergency management at MassDOT and the collaborative effort to help the MBTA keep people safe in emergency situations. McKinley also speaks about how weather can impact how MassDOT and MBTA resources are utilized during snow, ice, extreme cold or...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we speak with Doug Connett, Chief of Infrastructure at the MBTA. Doug outlines his plans for bringing MBTA infrastructure into a state of good repair and keeping it there. His multi-step plan for future success includes a comprehensive overhaul of outdated systems and procedures that will allow the MBTA to make significant strides in increasing safety and reliabi...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we speak with Michael Muller, the Executive Director of Commuter Rail at the MBTA. Michael tells us how Commuter Rail service has been changing since the pandemic, shares the plan to increase Commuter Rail service frequency and electrify the service, and what the future holds for Commuter Rail as a whole. Join us as we take a deep dive into the Commuter Rail at t...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we speak with Joanne Daniels-Finegold, the named plaintiff in the landmark Joanne Daniels-Finegold, et al. v. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority case, a class action lawsuit that alleged that the MBTA had failed to make the system accessible for everyone. In 2006, the parties entered into the Daniels-Finegold Settlement Agreement, forever changing the fac...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we speak with Stacy Thompson from LivableStreets Alliance about transit advocacy, transit oriented development, and how LivableStreets is trying to help shape the region into an affordable, connected and climate resilient community. If you’re curious about something at the MBTA, please reach out with questions, comments and show suggestions at social@mbta.com. Yo...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we speak with Jed Paul, a local TikTok creator known for his deadpan satire about riding the T. Jed tells the story of how he got into making transit focused content, shares a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process, and details his journey from TikTok personality to transit advocate with a preview of what comes next for him. If you’re curious about someth...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we speak with Dennis Varley, Chief of Stations at the MBTA. Dennis explains the decisions that led to the creation of his position and how he plans to make stations cleaner, brighter, newer, and, most importantly, safer for riders all across the system. If you’re curious about something at the MBTA, please reach out with questions, comments and show suggestions a...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we speak with Justin Antos, the Sr. Director of Bus Transformation at the MBTA. Justin explains how bus fits into the transit landscape in greater Boston, and how the Bus Network Redesign project is improving and expanding the bus system across the region. Justin digs into the intricacies of how and why we’re changing bus service, and explains how rider and opera...

On this episode, Chief Operating Officer Ryan Coholan joins us to discuss his unique approach to leading Operations at the MBTA. Ryan’s life has been steeped in transit for as long as he can remember. Ryan brings hands-on experience to his role as the COO of the MBTA, and his passion for transit inspires his dedication towards supporting and bettering the Authority. Come with us as we dive deep in...

On this episode, Chief of Operations Planning, Scheduling & Strategy, Kat Benesh, joins us to discuss all things Diversion. If you’ve ever wondered why we divert service, why diversions are the length that they are, why we don’t do this work overnight or on weekends, or when these diversions will end, this is the episode for you. Kat will answer all these questions and more in this episode of Spil...

On this episode of Spilling the T, we welcome Chief Administrative Officer, David Panagore to the show. David gives us the insider scoop on all things budget. We talk about how the MBTA is funded, how the Governor plans to support the MBTA, the impending financial cliff and much, much more. Reach out with questions, comments and show suggestions at social@mbta.com. Follow the MBTA on social media...

In this episode of Spilling the T, we welcome back MBTA General Manager and CEO, Philip Eng, to look forward at what's in store for the MBTA for 2024. GM Eng shares his playbook for addressing the forthcoming challenges facing the MBTA in the new year, and looks back at the challenges and victories of his first full year leading the MBTA. Reach out with questions, comments and show suggestions at...