The Transportation Working Group (TWG) promotes drastic reductions of transportation-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in a socially just manner.
Transportation accounts for about 40% of the GHG emissions in Massachusetts, the largest of any energy sector in the state. According to the US Department of Transportation, subway trains emit 76% less greenhouse gas emissions per passenger mile than the average one-person vehicle. TWG believes that public transit is a basic public good that promotes a flourishing society and economy.
TWG has been active since 2013. In 2022, we worked hard to ensure passage, through a referendum, of the Fair Share Amendment (FSA). This progressive taxation of only people earning more than $1million per year, with that revenue dedicated to transportation and public education. Many members of 350 Mass spent hours canvassing, phone banking etc., to ensure that FSA won. The Fair Share Amendment has already raised billions of dollars to benefit all of us!
Other activities by TWG have included the following. We have participated in many lobby days at the Mass. Legislature. We have signed dozens of comment letters organized by our coalition partners, and sent to legislators, leaders of the MBTA, Mass. Dept. of Transportation, etc. We have hosted a 350 Mass webinar and 2 actionars.
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Our Main Priorities for 2025-26
- The electrification of all vehicles, especially for mass transit.
- Major new revenue sources are required, to pay for critical new investments in transit and bike/pedestrian facilities. We support progressive sources of revenue. We oppose subsidies to fossil fuels. The Fair Share Amendment (“millionaires tax”) is a good start, but it doesn’t provide nearly enough new revenue.
- Transit must be frequent, low-emission, affordable, safe, reliable and accessible. Better transit and bike/pedestrian facilities provide outsized benefits. These investments don’t just protect our environment and public health, but they also support job, medical and educational access, especially for low-income people, plus abundant housing for all.
Effective coalitions and organizational partnerships are crucial. TWG is a member of several coalitions including Transit is Essential, Regional Transit Authority Advocates, Raise Up Mass, and Zero-Emission Vehicles. Partner organizations include Alternatives for Community and Environment (ACE), Climate Action Now (Pioneer Valley), Conservation Law Foundation, Livable Streets Alliance, Sierra Club, and Transit Matters.
TWG welcomes new members and ideas from all across Massachusetts. We meet monthly by Zoom.
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Contact
For more information: email [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected]
The Transportation Working Group is also active on Slack, join us!
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More info about our work
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