Boston City Council Votes to Subpoena MBTA Leader Over Blue Hill Avenue Plan as City Studies Congestion Pricing

The Boston City Council has voted in a rare move to subpoena MBTA leader Phil Eng over the Blue Hill Avenue project, according to The Boston Globe. The Boston Herald reported that the council bucked Mayor Wu by voting to issue the subpoena concerning the Blue Hill Avenue bus lane plan. Through the vote, the Boston City Council summoned the MBTA chief over the Blue Hill Ave. bus lane and demanded that the agency head appear to explain himself on Blue Hill Avenue, as reported by The Business Journals and Universal Hub.

The council's action regarding the transit leader comes as Boston studies congestion pricing amid an MBTA funding crisis, according to Hoodline. WCVB reported that Boston is exploring the controversial congestion pricing concept as a transit funding option. As part of that exploration, the mayor said that Boston has been in touch with NYC about congestion pricing, NBC Boston reported.

Alongside funding discussions and council scrutiny over the Blue Hill Avenue bus lane plan, the transit agency is addressing several fleet and system matters. Boston 25 News reported that new Red Line trains have been delayed again as the MBTA drops its 2027 delivery deadline. Separately, the Fall River Reporter reported that the MBTA ordered ads ripped down a day after a campaign with the message "Boston Public Schools Is Failing Them" hit the system.

At the same time, the transit agency has rolled out programs and fare media for riders in Boston. According to Boston 25 News, over 500 seniors have enrolled in a car-free seniors pilot program with the MBTA. In addition, MassLive.com and WHDH reported that the MBTA has released 5 new collectible CharlieCards featuring different Boston landmarks.