Getting Around Shouldn’t Be a Daily Struggle
In a thriving city, mobility is opportunity.
But in District 7 — Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway, and the South End — transportation is too often a barrier instead of a bridge.
Buses that never come. Delayed trains. Sidewalks that are broken and inaccessible. Bike lanes that disappear at the most dangerous intersections.
Families stranded. Workers late. Seniors isolated. Students struggling to get to class.
Transportation in District 7 is not just about getting from Point A to Point B — it’s about economic justice, environmental justice, and racial justice.
And for too long, our communities have been left out of the city’s investments.
It’s time to demand a system that works for us.
The Bigger Picture: Transportation Inequities and Federal Rollbacks
At the national level, DEI programs designed to prioritize transportation projects for underserved communities are being dismantled.
Recent federal moves to eliminate “social equity” scoring from transportation funding formulas mean cities like Boston can no longer count on extra federal dollars to fix historic neglect.
Locally, although Boston has ambitious transit plans, District 7 neighborhoods consistently rank lower in investment priorities compared to wealthier, whiter neighborhoods.
Without strong leadership, the mobility gap will widen — and our people will be left stranded once again.
Without strong leadership, the mobility gap will widen — and our people will be left stranded once again.
James Grant
How Transportation Fails District 7 Today
Unreliable Buses:
The 28, 15, 23, and 44 bus routes — lifelines for our communities — suffer from chronic delays, crowding, and inconsistent service.Poor Pedestrian Infrastructure:
Cracked sidewalks, missing curb cuts, poor lighting, and unsafe intersections make walking dangerous, especially for seniors and people with disabilities.Limited Bike and Micro-Mobility Access:
Roxbury and Dorchester have far fewer protected bike lanes, Bluebikes stations, or scooter access points compared to downtown and Back Bay.Affordability Crisis:
T fares continue to rise, putting more pressure on low-income families who rely heavily on public transit.Environmental Injustice:
Traffic congestion and diesel emissions choke District 7 neighborhoods, worsening asthma rates and air quality disparities.
What District 7 Must Do
We must demand that transportation investments be guided by justice, not just convenience or politics.
We must build a system that serves the people who need it most.
Here’s how:
1. Prioritize Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Bus Service Improvements
Implement dedicated, enforced bus lanes on major corridors like Blue Hill Avenue, Warren Street, and Washington Street.
Expand signal priority technology so buses don’t get stuck at red lights.
Increase frequency on critical routes, especially during evenings and weekends.
2. Create Safer Streets for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Repair sidewalks and add ADA-compliant curb cuts.
Install more crosswalks, pedestrian islands, and speed-calming measures.
Expand protected bike lanes to connect District 7 residents safely to jobs, schools, and transit hubs.
3. Expand Affordable Transit Access
Push for free or reduced fares for low-income residents, students, and seniors — building on Boston’s pilot programs.
Advocate for a fare-capping system so no one pays more than a daily or monthly maximum.
4. Increase First-Mile, Last-Mile Solutions
Expand Bluebikes into under-served areas of District 7.
Support community-based shuttle services connecting residential areas to major T stops and business corridors.
5. Ensure Community-Driven Planning
Hold neighborhood transit summits.
Empower residents to co-design street redesigns, bus improvements, and bike lane placements.
How Your City Councilor Will Lead
If I am elected as your City Councilor, I will:
Introduce a District 7 Transportation Equity Bill of Rights, demanding that our mobility needs are prioritized in every city and MBTA decision.
Push for Boston to adopt a Bus Priority Master Plan, with guaranteed funding for high-ridership, underserved corridors like ours.
Fight for permanent funding for reduced or free fares for District 7 residents most burdened by transportation costs.
Create a District 7 Mobility Task Force — a standing body made up of residents, transportation advocates, seniors, and youth — to hold the city and the MBTA accountable.
Tie climate action to transit equity — ensuring that investments in green transportation directly benefit frontline communities like ours.
Why Transportation Equity Matters for Everything Else
Transportation touches every part of life:
Economic Opportunity:
Faster, reliable buses and trains mean residents can access more jobs, training programs, and businesses.Public Health:
Better transit means cleaner air, more active living, and fewer emissions-related illnesses.Education:
Students rely on public transit to reach schools and afterschool programs. Late buses mean lost learning opportunities.Housing Stability:
Without good transit, residents are trapped in place or forced to own expensive cars they can’t afford.Climate Justice:
Transit improvements reduce carbon emissions, making our neighborhoods healthier and more resilient.
The Risk of Inaction
If we don’t fight for transit equity:
Congestion will worsen.
Air quality will decline.
Families will remain stuck in economic isolation.
Students will miss out on opportunities.
Mobility injustice will continue to deepen the racial wealth gap in Boston.
Inaction is not an option.
Conclusion: Moving District 7 Forward, Together
District 7 has always been on the move — from the Freedom Trail’s hidden Black history to the civil rights marches of the 1960s to today’s struggles for equity and justice.
Transportation is not just how we get around.
It’s how we rise.
It’s how we connect.
It’s how we thrive.
Donate to this campaign and vote for me:
Together, we will build a District 7 where everyone — regardless of income, race, or neighborhood — has the freedom to move safely, affordably, and with dignity.
Let’s move District 7 forward — not just on paper, but on every street, bus line, bike lane, and sidewalk in our community.