Boston City Council Ways and Means Hearing on FY27 Budget for Transportation and Public Works – May 4, 2026

This budget hearing, chaired by District 6 City Councilor Ben Weber, reviewed the FY27 operating and capital budgets for the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) and Public Works Department (PWD), as well as the newly established bike share revolving fund. The recommended operating budget for the streets cabinet is approximately $207 million, a 0.8% increase over the current year, while the capital plan totals $1.4 billion, representing about one-third of the city's capital plan. The hearing featured extensive discussion of core services, capital project priorities, staffing vacancies, and public safety concerns, followed by public testimony urging greater transparency and accelerated project delivery.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Cassandra Xavier (Disability advocate, North End) asked whether people with disabilities were included in ramp and sidewalk restoration design and criticized the pausing of infrastructure projects. The panel responded that they coordinate with the Disabilities Commission and follow consent decree requirements.
• Stacy Thompson (Livable Streets Alliance volunteer) called on the City Council to use its fiduciary duty to ensure the administration answers detailed questions and commits to specific actions before approving the budget. She noted that previous commitments for monthly Vision Zero crash data are not being met.
• Amira Patterson (T4MA / Transit is Essential, Brighton resident) urged the city to provide transparent criteria for project prioritization, highlight stalled safety programs, and asked where free-fare funding for bus routes 23, 28, and 29 is reflected in the budget.
• John Kuiper (Sierra Club, Roxbury resident) described the dangerous conditions on Columbus Avenue between Jackson Square and Ruggles and criticized the indefinite postponement of the final mile of the busway.
• Cole Lewis (Transit Matters) expressed disappointment that $7 million for four bus lanes was removed and that the Roxbury Resilient Corridors project was shelved. He called for a roadmap for Blue Hill Avenue designs and ambitious bike lane and speed hump targets (5 miles of new bike lanes and 500 speed humps as a minimum).
• Maha Aslam (Livable Streets Alliance) urged councilors not to sign off on a budget without detailed timelines and deliverables for safety projects.
• Tiffany Cogol (Boston Cyclists Union) called for transparency, specific project timelines, and deliverables, noting that earmarked funds have been sidelined due to inaction.
• Gregory Maynard (Boston Policy Institute) criticized the administration for releasing the status list of state/federal grants only minutes before the hearing, preventing adequate preparation. He raised concerns about foot-dragging on the Tremont-Columbus project.
• Matt Lawler (Walk Up Roslindale) called on the council not to approve the budget until the administration responds satisfactorily to Livable Streets' letter and commits to specific actions, noting that only a tenth of appropriated speed hump funds were spent last year.
• Hamima Haleem (Allston-Brighton resident) advocated for more speed humps and bus lanes in her neighborhood, citing dangerous conditions on Commonwealth Avenue and the 66/64 bus routes.

Discussion Items

• Budget Overview: The streets cabinet's operating budget of $207 million reflects a 0.8% increase despite citywide 2% reductions, driven by non-discretionary contractual increases for solid waste collection ($72 million), recycling processing ($90/ton), snow management ($23 million – historically based but insufficient this year), street sweeping ($7 million), and sidewalk repairs. Capital plan totals $1.4 billion with 79 projects; 72% of capital spending over the last four years went to state-of-good repair (roads, sidewalks, bridges).
• Capital Plan Changes: 27 projects were removed, several merged, and some delayed due to fiscal constraints. Notable paused projects include Centre/South Street, and the Safe Routes to School program was merged into a citywide safety program. The capital grants list of $282 million was provided to councilors; two grants have been rescinded (Roxbury Resilient Corridors $20M, Mattapan Square $2M). A new capital project dashboard will be launched.
• ADA Ramps: $70 million invested over five years; FY27 ramp program cost expected to reach $42 million (30% of capital budget). Officials acknowledged that easier ramps are done and more complex locations remain. Quality issues with yellow tactile pads were noted; the city has shifted to cast iron pads.
• Staffing and Vacancies: The cabinet has about 920 positions (public works ~95 vacancies, BTD ~77). Hardest to fill are CDL driver positions; the city has an in-house CDL training school. Salary savings of ~$8 million from vacancies were factored into the budget. Some long-term vacancies have been removed.
• Parking Enforcement: 135 new officers hired, restoring pre-pandemic levels. Enforcement is seven days a week with 24-hour coverage except limited Sunday/Monday hours. Officers are rotated among neighborhoods. Councillors raised concerns about enforcement on Blue Hill Avenue and disrespect toward enforcement officers.
• Bike Share: New five-year contract with Lyft includes extension options through 2035. Major increase in e-bikes, electrification of some stations, and continuation of income-eligible membership ($50/year, $5/month). The revolving fund will support future investment. Currently 347 stations; 30 more planned to meet the mayor's 2022 commitment.
• Winter Operations: Managed 63 inches of snow; the $23 million budget was insufficient but the account can run a deficit. Lessons learned from two major storms; the second storm's extended parking ban improved compliance and cleanup.
• Summer 2026 Events (FIFA, Sail Boston, Boston 250): Significant supplemental staff planned for parking/code enforcement, sanitation, and highways. Construction downtown will be paused during events, with work pushed into neighborhoods. The city has been planning for over a year.
• Speed Humps and Traffic Calming: Approximately 150 speed humps are being installed this month. Councillors from multiple districts requested additional humps (Beacon Hill, Allston-Brighton, Dorchester). The administration noted that temporary bike lane assets are being replaced with permanent cast-in-place infrastructure.
• Residential Parking Program (RPP): Councillor Flynn pressed for implementing 24/7 residential parking in South Boston; Chief Gove said the program is being restarted but no specific timeline was given. Councillor Durkin suggested charging for RPP permits to generate revenue.
• Concurrent Jurisdiction (Pedestrian Right of Way): Councillor Flynn noted the Council's unanimous vote to end the practice where pedestrians and vehicles get green at the same time. Chief Gove said there are no plans to implement the change, as it would conflict with current signal policy.
• Sanitation and Trash Contracts: Extended contracts avoided service disruptions seen regionally, but costs are rising. Trash disposal contracts expire next summer; rebidding will likely lead to higher rates. Mattress pickup contracts were rebid and costs reduced by $750,000, winning minority-owned businesses.
• Vision Zero and Crash Data: The Vision Zero dashboard has not been updated this year; the administration committed to updating it. Stacy Thompson requested monthly crash data reports.
• Blue Hill Avenue and Center-Running Bus Lane: The project was first discussed in 2009; planning continues. The $20 million Roxbury Resilient Corridors grant for Warren Street corridor was rescinded by federal DOT.
• Potholes: Over 4,000 filled last year with an average case closure time under 19 hours. A dedicated pothole hearing is scheduled for Friday.
• Nubian Square Cleanliness: Highway teams clean daily starting at 5:30 AM, but midday and after-school litter accumulation remains a challenge. Additional trash receptacles are being considered.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken; this was a budget review hearing. Councillors will have additional rounds and amendment opportunities before the full budget vote.
• The administration committed to follow up on multiple RFIs, including: list of blinking crosswalks by neighborhood, updated Vision Zero data, crash data through April 2026, and a detailed project status dashboard (timeline “as soon as possible”).
• Chief Gove agreed to engage with Councillor Culpepper on placement of new Blue Bike stations in District 7 before installation.
• The city will explore a public awareness campaign to support traffic enforcement officers, as suggested by Councillor Flynn.
• Sidewalk repair projects are planned citywide; Chinatown sidewalk reconstruction is in design. Councillor Flynn requested assurance that District 2 receives proportional investment.
• The administration will work with the MBTA to expand automated bus lane enforcement to more routes.
• The capital plan’s removal of 27 projects and delays on several corridors (e.g., Centre/South Street, Columbus Avenue) were acknowledged; staff stated that planning work will be preserved for future restart.
• The hearing adjourned at approximately 1:00 PM, with a subsequent hearing on the FY27 budget scheduled for 2:00 PM.