MBTA
MBTA on April 30 issued its “first-ever” systemwide plan to strengthen transit infrastructure and prepare operations against the impacts of climate change and severe weather, including flooding, extreme heat, and cold (see above). Called the Resilience Roadmap, it outlines both near- and long-term strategies “to proactively reduce climate risks and improve reliability across the transit system,” according to MBTA, which noted that the 50-page plan was developed “from expertise across the transit authority, more than two dozen climate vulnerability studies, site assessments across the system, and best practices from peer transit agencies nationwide.”
The Roadmap is said to focus on such priority areas as:
- “Investing in the resilience and reliability of the power system.
- “Protecting tunnels and stations from flooding.
- “Reducing heat exposure for riders and employees.
- “Improving the resilience of signal and communications systems.
- “Addressing flooding at stations and support facilities.
- “Upgrading tracks and facilities to withstand extreme temperatures.”
According to MBTA, the plan identifies 30 new resilience strategies, with 23 recommended for action within the next five years. Each strategy identifies the climate risks addressed, potential locations, responsible departments, and the estimated cost ranges for each project.
MBTA said projects and actions would include but are not limited to:
- “Bolstering weather resilience within the Blue Line Airport tunnel portal, which includes installing hinged portal doors to protect from flooding that would lead to widespread infrastructure, operational, and economic impacts across the subway tunnel system.
- “Expanding shade at stations and bus stops with high heat exposure to protect riders.
- “Incorporating permanent or deployable flood protection systems at vulnerable stations.
- “Installing cooling equipment in signals and applying communications modernization upgrades to protect critical equipment from extreme heat.
- “Expanding access to heat safety training and personal protective equipment for MBTA workers.
- “The Roadmap also emphasizes the need for sustained capital investment, internal knowledge sharing, and regional collaboration to advance this work.”
The Resilience Roadmap was said to be developed as a “key next step” following MBTA’s release of the 2024 Climate Assessment, and to support the “goals laid out in the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s program, ResilientMass, which is strategically designed to help communities across the state mitigate the negative impacts of severe weather. …”
“The MBTA is always looking for ways to proactively address climate resilience,” said Phillip Eng, MBTA General Manager and Interim Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. “Our riders deserve safe, reliable, and robust service now and in the future, which is why this Resilience Roadmap is impactful. I’m thankful to the many MBTA teams, experts, and advocates who helped us map out a plan to protect our system and assets.”
“Building climate resilience is essential to keeping our transportation system safe and reliable,” Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Secretary Rebecca Tepper said. “Much of our infrastructure wasn’t built for heavier rainfall, more frequent storms, and heat waves—conditions that can cause flooding, damage, and service disruptions. The MBTA’s roadmap targets practical upgrades to strengthen reliability and safety and plays an important role in advancing the ResilientMass program, which works to prepare infrastructure for today’s conditions and the future.”
Separately, MBTA last month announced that it was seeking feedback for Focus 2050, its long-term investment plan.
SMART
SMART on May 4 reported recording 133,860 total riders for April 2026, up 30% from April 2025, making it the highest monthly ridership in its history. The increase is due in part to “the successful implementation of the Marin-Sonoma Coordinated Transit Service (MASCOTS) Plan, a regional effort designed to make transit more seamless, frequent, and connected across the North Bay,” according the 48.1-mile commuter railroad, which has stations in Windsor, Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Petaluma, Novato, San Rafael and Larkspur (see map below).
Implemented on April 12, 2026, the MASCOTS Plan represents a collaborative partnership among nine transit and funding agencies: Metropolitan Transportation Commission; Transportation Authority of Marin; Sonoma County Transportation and Climate Authority; SMART; Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District; Marin Transit; Sonoma County Transit; Santa Rosa CityBus; and Petaluma Transit. It was created “to grow ridership and improve the effectiveness of transit service by delivering a more coordinated and frequent network,” SMART said. “By aligning schedules, improving connections, and expanding travel options throughout the day, the plan makes it easier for riders to move across Marin and Sonoma counties and into San Francisco.”
“This record-setting month reflects the power of strong regional partnerships and a shared commitment to improving transit,” said Chris Coursey, SMART Board Chair and Sonoma County Supervisor. “Through the MASCOTS Plan, we’re providing riders with better connections, shorter wait times, and a more convenient overall experience. It’s exciting to see these efforts translating directly into increased SMART ridership.”
April ridership was further driven by “strong turnout at major community events,” SMART said, including the Petaluma Butter and Egg Days Parade, which generated more than 7,200 passenger trips in a single day. SMART noted that it “regularly supports local events and plays a key role in large-scale celebrations such as the Marin County Fair, Windsor KABOOM, and Butter and Egg Days in Petaluma, helping connect visitors from across the region to these community gatherings.”
According to SMART, it is on pace to carry more than 1.4 million riders in fiscal year 2026, up 25% from fiscal year 2025, and almost double pre-pandemic ridership.
Separately, in 2025 SMART opened new stations in Windsor and Petaluma and began work to extend passenger rail service to Healdsburg, with the Healdsburg station projected to open in 2028.
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