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The Boston-area holiday pop-up bars, lounges to visit in 2023

Boston-area bars are bringing out the Christmas trees, menorahs and hot toddies for the holidays.

Food and Drink

John Walsh, 'godfather' of modern grassroots campaigns, dies at 65

Walsh died in hospice care Monday at age 65.

Politics

Celtics fans pay highest beer prices in NBA

News

Where to have a cozy fireside dinner in Boston

There's nothing quite as romantic as a fireside dinner.

Things to Do

Red Line speeds up after Ashmont branch reopens

The Red Line is Boston's most popular subway line, and by some measures, its worst.

Forty-thousand daily Red Line riders will see faster service after a lengthy closure of the branch serving Dorchester and Mattapan came to an end.What&#x27;s happening: The T announced yesterday its 16-day shutdown of the Red Line between JFK/UMass and Ashmont resulted in track improvements and the removal of speed restrictions that had plagued riders for months.

Illustration of an MBTA sign changing into an emergency symbol.

Duplicate plate issues persist in Mass.

Some plates from the RMV have the same numbers.

Transit

If you&#x27;ve ever gotten a ticket for a violation somewhere you&#x27;ve never been, you&#x27;re not alone.Driving the news: The Registry of Motor Vehicles has issued more than 161,000 license plates that have the same letter and number combinations, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="WCVB&#x27;s Mike Beaudet" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-duplicate-license-plate-problem/45618426" data-vars-content-id="3ee43862-6cb1-460c-9248-2490cd88d5d9" data-vars-headline="Duplicate plate issues persist in Mass." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-duplicate-license-plate-problem/45618426" target="_blank">WCVB&#x27;s Mike Beaudet</a> reported.

Illustration of a car windshield with a lot of parking tickets stuffed under the wipers.

Green Line Extension track defects could take weeks to repair, GM says

Less than a year after opening, the highly anticipated line needs an overhaul.

MBTA General Manager Phil Eng says contractors could fix the defects on the Green Line Extension as soon as mid-November.Why it matters: The highly anticipated line, which runs through Somerville and Medford, already needs an overhaul <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="less than a year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/12/12/mbta-green-line-extension-opens" data-vars-content-id="1a5a1e7c-6d75-46eb-b458-2ce38ab6e04c" data-vars-headline="Green Line Extension track defects could take weeks to repair, GM says" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/12/12/mbta-green-line-extension-opens" target="_self">less than a year</a> after opening.

A train on the Green Line Extension travels on the tracks. 

Boston sees bump in daily bike rides post COVID

The Boston region is one of several cities that has seen a bump in urban cycling.

The Boston metro region is one of several cities that has seen a bump in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban cycling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/08/22/boston-cyclists-gear-up-commute-orange-line-shutdown" data-vars-content-id="99732544-b32f-461c-9f59-c6de0aafa2cd" data-vars-headline="Boston sees bump in daily bike rides post COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2022/08/22/boston-cyclists-gear-up-commute-orange-line-shutdown" target="_self">urban cycling</a> since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.Why it matters: The increase in popularity comes as Boston plans to add 9.4 miles of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new bike lanes" data-vars-click-url="https://mass.streetsblog.org/2022/09/06/mayor-wu-plans-announcement-on-bostons-bike-network" data-vars-content-id="99732544-b32f-461c-9f59-c6de0aafa2cd" data-vars-headline="Boston sees bump in daily bike rides post COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mass.streetsblog.org/2022/09/06/mayor-wu-plans-announcement-on-bostons-bike-network" target="_blank">new bike lanes</a> around the city in the next few years, and as a proposal to add more bike lanes in Cambridge <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sparks controversy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/some-in-cambridge-frustrated-by-ongoing-construction-of-bike-lanes/3152425/" data-vars-content-id="99732544-b32f-461c-9f59-c6de0aafa2cd" data-vars-headline="Boston sees bump in daily bike rides post COVID" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/some-in-cambridge-frustrated-by-ongoing-construction-of-bike-lanes/3152425/" target="_blank">sparks controversy</a> over the potential impact on traffic and parking.

A U.S. map with yellow and purple dots on cities that have seen a decrease or increase in daily bike trips. Boston saw an increase.

After years of fighting, Boston gets a seat on the MBTA board

Mayor Wu chose Mary Skelton Roberts for the new position.

The City of Boston finally has a seat on the panel that controls the MBTA after a yearslong fight.Why it matters: Boston, by far the largest community served by the T, has had no official vote in decisions about the region&#x27;s transit system, which has faced an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing safety crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/09/14/mbta-near-misses-worker-safety" data-vars-content-id="145fff60-3c7c-44c0-8eb1-c88f15948adc" data-vars-headline="After years of fighting, Boston gets a seat on the MBTA board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wbur.org/news/2023/09/14/mbta-near-misses-worker-safety" target="_blank">ongoing safety crisis</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="management upheaval" data-vars-click-url="https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/09/22/mbta-restructured-under-four-divisions-as-gm-eng-makes-personnel-moves-all-staff-email-says/" data-vars-content-id="145fff60-3c7c-44c0-8eb1-c88f15948adc" data-vars-headline="After years of fighting, Boston gets a seat on the MBTA board" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/09/22/mbta-restructured-under-four-divisions-as-gm-eng-makes-personnel-moves-all-staff-email-says/" target="_blank">management upheaval</a>.

MBTA saw slower summer service as repairs mount

Slow zones on the MBTA led to longer delays this summer.

Most MBTA subway trains are completing trips a lot slower than they were at the start of the summer.<ul><li>Speed restrictions on the Red and Orange Lines are dragging out travel times, according to data analyzed by advocacy group <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="TransitMatters" data-vars-click-url="https://dashboard.transitmatters.org/system/slowzones/?startDate=2022-09-06&amp;endDate=2023-09-06" data-vars-content-id="5e83c5bd-6f55-43ed-9241-ece436e9befd" data-vars-headline="MBTA saw slower summer service as repairs mount" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dashboard.transitmatters.org/system/slowzones/?startDate=2022-09-06&amp;endDate=2023-09-06" target="_blank">TransitMatters</a>.</li></ul>

Sumner Tunnel to reopen Friday, followed by more closures

The Sumner Tunnel will reopen to motorists Friday — just in time for the holiday weekend.Why it matters: The end of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="two-month closure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/06/29/sumner-tunnel-closure-eastie-chelsea" data-vars-content-id="ec9166c6-4dd1-4b70-887e-53783ae6f646" data-vars-headline="Sumner Tunnel to reopen Friday, followed by more closures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/06/29/sumner-tunnel-closure-eastie-chelsea" target="_self">two-month closure</a> brings relief to motorists traveling between East Boston and the rest of the city, including those trying to make their flights at Logan Airport.

A construction worker in the Sumner Tunnel while it's closed this summer for repairs. 

How to beat Boston traffic this Labor Day weekend

Thursday afternoon is projected to be the busiest time on the road ahead of Labor Day weekend, especially if you&#x27;re headed down the Cape.Driving the news: Peak congestion is expected Thursday around 3:30pm on the main route between Boston and Hyannis along I-93 and Route 6, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to INRIX" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/08/travelers-mark-unofficial-end-of-summer-over-labor-day-weekend/" data-vars-content-id="73f37a43-f104-4b8f-86a5-ed66d6f2b146" data-vars-headline="How to beat Boston traffic this Labor Day weekend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/08/travelers-mark-unofficial-end-of-summer-over-labor-day-weekend/" target="_blank">according to INRIX</a>, a global provider of transportation data that works with AAA to find the best/worst car travel times.

Illustration of a steering wheel as a clock with a highlighted portion in red

Massachusetts transportation head Gina Fiandaca to depart after seven months

News of Gina Fiandaca's departure comes just seven months into her tenure.

Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Gina Fiandaca is stepping down.Why it matters: Fiandaca will become the first official to leave Gov. Maura Healey&#x27;s cabinet, just over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven months" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/01/05/maura-healey-cabinet-positions" data-vars-content-id="171082c5-d5eb-47fb-8822-51ec5deb97a4" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts transportation head Gina Fiandaca to depart after seven months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/01/05/maura-healey-cabinet-positions" target="_self">seven months</a> into the job.

A photo of Gina Fiandaca's head as she's in a press conference in January after being named Healey's next transportation secretary

MBTA gets a raise

Understaffing has been at the center of the T's service and safety problems.

Gov. Maura Healey is increasing pay and benefits for the MBTA&#x27;s drivers and repair workers.Why it matters: The T lost 860 workers last fiscal year — an attrition rate of 13%.

A look at MBTA GM Phillip Eng's first 6 months

Observers tell Axios he's the right person for the job.

Six months after MBTA General Manager <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Phillip Eng" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/04/11/philip-eng-mbta-first-day" data-vars-content-id="eefbce23-23d9-42b7-b9f5-b132c1b13d08" data-vars-headline="A look at MBTA GM Phillip Eng&#x27;s first 6 months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/04/11/philip-eng-mbta-first-day" target="_self">Phillip Eng</a> was appointed by Gov. Maura Healey to fix the T, the agency&#x27;s situation has gotten worse.<ul><li>But observers tell Axios that Eng is still the right person for the job.</li></ul>

Transit 🚗