[Massachusetts-NFB] FW: Symphony Station upgrades, 3/25 hybrid RTAG meeting, and other accessibility updates from the MBTA

Tue Mar 24 00:26:35 UTC 2026

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Dear Riders,

We hope this email finds you well. Thank you for taking some time to read our March newsletter. Continue on to learn more about:
* Symphony Station accessibility upgrades
* Planning for your organization’s Spring & Summer events
* March 25th RTAG hybrid public meeting

** Symphony Station Accessibility Upgrade Move Forward
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glass building rendering of Symphony Station

On February 26, 2026, the MBTA’s Board of Directors approved the construction contract for the Symphony Station Improvement Project. Symphony Station, one of MBTA’s most historic but least accessible stations, will be made fully accessible through the construction of raised platforms, redundant elevators (two serving the inbound platform and two serving the outbound platform), areas of rescue assistance, improved lighting, and more.

Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed in the fall of 2030. For information on how service will be impacted during construction, keep an eye on MBTA.com (https://www.mbta.com/) .

The contract, valued at $200.8 million, represents one of many major investments in improving station accessibility across the system. In addition to the upgrades at Symphony, the MBTA is also advancing plans to make all the remaining inaccessible Green Line stops along the B and C branches fully accessible over the next two years. And work to construct the first ever fully accessible connection between the Red and Orange lines at Downtown Crossing is expected to begin later this year.

** We Are Taking Our Show on the Road! Plan Your 2026 Event with the MBTA Now
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A group of people looking at a printed MBTA system map Improving and expanding information and outreach on accessible services at the MBTA is one of our top priorities. Are you part of an organization that has an upcoming open house or resource fair? Would you like representatives from System-Wide Accessibility or a partnering MBTA department to attend?

Our team regularly participates in community events to share information about accessible services at the MBTA. If you are planning an open house, resource fair, or other community event in 2026, let us know.

We can share information with agency staff and community groups on topics such as:
* How to access MBTA accessibility services, reduced fare options, planning accessible trips, and signing up for free travel training
* The RIDE paratransit service and the RIDE Flex program
* Any additional MBTA topics you’d like to learn more about

If you’re interested in having us participate in an upcoming event, or if you’d like materials or more information, please contact us at publicengagement at mbta.com (mailto:publicengagement at mbta.com) or 617-222-3030 (TTY users: 711).

We look forward to partnering with you to promote accessible transportation across our communities.

** Upcoming Changes at RTAG and General Meeting in March (Hybrid)
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collage of previous RTAG meetings, showing speakers & advocates. Also, the RTAG logo.

Thanks to the signing of the Next Generation Accessibility Agreement between the MBTA and Boston Center for Independent Living, RTAG’s role will be growing! In addition to serving as the MBTA’s official advisory committee on matters related to people with disabilities and older adults, RTAG will be responsible for monitoring the MBTA’s compliance with the new agreement and being the organizing force behind transportation-related advocacy.

New staff will be joining the RTAG team beginning in March and a number of discussions are underway regarding improving meeting formats and community engagement. Please join our next meeting in March, either in person or virtually, to learn more!

When? March 25, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Where?
* Join us in person: MBTA Boardroom, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, 2^nd floor MA 02116

* Join us virtually via Zoom

Register in advance for the RTAG virtual meeting. (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/i-9xAGZVQH-xVH_l12GLYA)

All RTAG meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and people with limited English proficiency. Real-time captioning (CART) and an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be provided for this meeting. Other accessibility accommodations and language services will be provided free of charge upon request, as available.

To request reasonable accommodation or language services, please email rtagboston at bostoncil.org (mailto:rtagboston at bostoncil.org)  or call Kat at 978-893-8100 at least two weeks before the meeting.

Sign up for the RTAG newsletter (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/mbta.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d69747d5fc9f30fa7321ea932&id=19f1256a5c&e=ebb95b8df1__;!!MEHzkw!zpdLg-wZzh-ZsW4PnIyXfIAIkhNCombk55HClu09usFGnLWqK80uPBgY53rKViWK3QpI2q_iKJqho1Tbjv8$) .

Safe & Accessible Travels,
The Department of System-Wide Accessibility

Subscribe (https://mbta.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=5929ae2e24&u=d69747d5fc9f30fa7321ea932)

** Find Out how the MBTA Mobility Center can Help You
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The Mobility Center, located in Boston at 1000 Massachusetts Ave (https://www.mbta.com/trip-planner/to/42.3284373,-71.0675113,The%20Mobility%20Center) , is available to anyone looking to explore accessible transit options and other community transport resources. Give us a call at 617-337-2727 (tel: 617-337-2727) .

Send Us Your Feedback

We want to hear from you! To share your concerns, questions, or positive experiences with us, please visit mbta.com/customer-support (http://www.mbta.com/customer-support) or call Customer Service at 617-222-3200 (TTY: 617-222-5146).

MBTA.com/alerts has information about current, ongoing, and future service disruptions.

** Learn More about Accessibility at the MBTA
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We have numerous efforts underway to improve accessibility at the MBTA. Visit mbta.com/accessibility (http://www.mbta.com/accessibility) to learn more.

** Get Involved with the Riders’ Transportation Access Group
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The Riders’ Transportation Access Group (RTAG) is a customer organization that advises the MBTA on issues of transportation and accessibility. Membership is open to the general public. To learn more, click the link below or attend an upcoming RTAG meeting.

Learn about RTAG (https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/get-involved/rtag)

Check Service Alerts

MBTA.com/alerts (http://www.mbta.com/alerts/) has information about current, ongoing and future service disruptions including bus stop closures (https://www.mbta.com/alerts/bus) and detours.

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