[Massachusetts-NFB] FW: The new Driven to Ride documentary, upcoming RIDE-focused RTAG meeting, and other accessibility updates from the MBTA

Mon Sep 21 15:47:50 UTC 2026

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Dear Riders,

We hope you are doing well. Thank you for taking the time to read our accessibility updates from the MBTA. In this newsletter, you’ll find information about:

* Green Line Accessibility Improvements on the C Branch
* Driven to Ride Webcast on 9/24
* September RTAG Meeting with The RIDE on 9/23
* Getting Involved with RTAG Working Groups

** Green Line C Branch Upgrades
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Train tracks with yellow tactile warning panels and several construction workers and vehicles nearby. A sign reads "Hawes Street Green Line - C Cleveland Circle. First Car Stop Here."

Work underway at the above‑ground stations on the Green Line C Branch

The MBTA is making significant progress towards making all above-ground stations along the Green Line C Branch accessible.

The Green Line C Branch Station Accessibility Improvements project includes upgrading nine inaccessible stations on the C Branch along Beacon Street in Brookline: Englewood Avenue, Dean Road, Tappan Street, Summit Avenue, Saint Paul Street, and Hawes Street. Fairbanks Street and Brandon Hall stations will be consolidated into one new station and Kent Street station will be closed once nearby stations are upgraded.

During this project, work crews are rebuilding the existing low and narrow platforms that are inaccessible to many riders with disabilities and others who need easier boarding, such as older adults, families with strollers, and riders carrying luggage. New platforms will be wider and higher, which will allow customers needing step-free access to use the in-vehicle bridgeplates onboard Green Line trains. These new platforms will also reduce the height and distance between trains and platforms, making it an easier and more comfortable experience for all riders when boarding and exiting trains. These improvements also support quicker and more reliable service.
Additional accessibility upgrades include:
* Wide walkways to platforms and improved pedestrian track crossings
* Better lighting and wayfinding signage
* New platform benches, shelters and customer-assistance areas
* New and reconstructed curb ramps along key paths of travel to the stations

Construction is underway and will continue through Spring 2027. Some stations will be temporarily closed during construction to allow crews to rebuild platforms and install other critical infrastructure.

Work at Tappan St and Englewood Ave stations is partially complete. The platforms, walkways and pedestrian track crossings at both stations are now accessible. The remaining station elements such as lighting, benches and signage will be installed at these stations over the next several months.

Additional stations will become accessible as work on platforms, walkways and other infrastructure is completed.
Learn more and stay up to date on the Green Line C Branch Station Accessibility Improvements project (https://www.mbta.com/projects/green-line-c-branch-station-accessibility-improvements) .

** Driven to Ride - A Documentary on the Daniels-Finegold v. MBTA Settlement
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Plaintiffs and other attendees at the Daniels-Finegold v. MBTA settlement’s 20th‑anniversary event.
When: Thursday, September 24 from 12PM - 2PM
Where: You can join the webcast in two ways:
* Register in advance on Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/driven-to-ride-how-disability-rights-activists-transformed-the-mbta-tickets-1999787896431)  to receive a "save the date" and confirmation emails.
* Or simply click here on 9/24 to join the webcast (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84932430252) directly via Zoom.

For questions or to request an accommodation, please email Institute for Human Centered Design at communications at IHCDesign.org (mailto:communications at IHCDesign.org) . CART captioning will be provided.
Event Description
Join us for a screening of Driven to Ride, a new documentary by award-winning filmmaker PJ Moynihan that tells the story of the Daniels-Finegold class-action lawsuit, the resulting settlement, and its lasting impact on the MBTA (https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/history) . Following the film, there will be a live conversation with the plaintiffs and lead attorney, as well as members of the System-Wide Accessibility team who will share their experiences and answer audience questions.
Panelists:
* Taramattie Doucette, Esq. Lead attorney for the plaintiffs, Greater Boston Legal Services
* Joanne Daniels-Finegold, First Named plaintiff, Daniels-Finegold v. MBTA
* Mic Cepeda, Named plaintiff
* Tom Gilbert, Named plaintiff
* Andy Forman, Named plaintiff
* Reggie Clark, Named plaintiff
* PJ Moynihan, Filmmaker
* Laura Brelsford, Assistant General Manager for Accessibility, MBTA
* Chris Hart, Director of Inclusive Design & Engineering, System-Wide Accessibility, MBTA

We hope you can join us. Learn more about the history of accessibility at the MBTA (https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/history) .

** September RTAG Meeting with The RIDE
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RTAG logo and The RIDE logo side-by-side RTAG logo and The RIDE logo side-by-side
When: September 23^rd from 2 P.M. – 4 P.M.
Where: Online via Zoom Register in advance (https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Isf6Q-hbRES4699oBs5yJQ)

The Riders Transportation Access Group (RTAG) (https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/get-involved/rtag) is a customer organization that advises the MBTA on transportation issues affecting older adults and people of all ages who have disabilities. Membership is the group and group events are open to the general public.

Join RTAG in our bimonthly general meeting with a presentation from The RIDE. This virtual meeting is open to all members of the public interested in learning about accessibility updates at the T. RTAG staff will present on working group progress and RIDE staff will present on current projects.

There will be time for public comment.

This meeting will be held online on Zoom. After you register, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining.

Sign up for the RTAG newsletter (https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/eepurl.com/hNhezH__;!!MEHzkw!1pv5MEYOarInqlEeu8rjWW-gMkT8hQJZJN1qbsm23JeG73Tp8E8dXvs49eCtfBv5d5PycAnxZks9lZOKtg$) .

** Accommodations
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RTAG meetings are accessible to people with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency. American Sign Language (ASL) and CART Captioning will be provided for this meeting. If you have any questions or would like to request another reasonable accommodation, please contact RTAG staff at rtagboston at bostoncil.org (mailto:rtagboston at bostoncil.org)  or call (617) 338-6665 (tel:6173386665)  to ask for RTAG.

Please reach out for accommodations at least two weeks before the meeting.

** Getting Involved with RTAG Working Groups
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In April 2026, RTAG created four focused working groups: three groups on bus and subway service and one on RIDE services.
1. RIDE Working Group
2. Wayfinding (Blind/Low Vision) Working Group 3. Community Outreach and Engagement Working Group 4. Municipal Coordination Working Group

Any member of the public can join with a one‑year commitment to participate in the working group’s projects.

There are three options to join a working group:
* Email RTAG staff rtagboston at bostoncil.org (mailto:rtagboston at bostoncil.org)
* Call (617) 338-6665 and ask for RTAG
* Fill out the Working Group Interest Form (https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/us6.list-manage.com/survey?u=2f9f11788e4b2a180bb4142df&id=e8b3a1438f&e=**A7CUNIQID*7C*__;KiUlKg!!MEHzkw!3xLoSNXVnJ0E_LfWYpMNpsuVFNUu5NZtfB5XR_6iOizzBS67CIXN8nZDiPZDMTwewtikA8C_1VQDyvzyJA$)

Safe and 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's Mobility Center Can Help You
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The MBTA's Mobility Center, located in Boston at 1000 Massachusetts Ave, is available to anyone looking to explore accessible transit options and other community transport resources. We also offer a variety of free travel training services (https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/travel-instruction-services-and-tools) to help older adults and people with disabilities travel independently on the bus, train, ferry, and Commuter Rail. Give us a call at 617-337-2727 (tel: 617-337-2727)  (711 for TTY callers; VRS for ASL callers) or visit mbta.com/MobilityCenter (https://mbta.com/mobilitycenter) to learn more.

** Send Us Your Feedback
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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 Support at 617-222-3200 (711 for TTY callers; VRS for ASL callers).

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

**
Check Service Alerts
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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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