As MA Reopens, Officials Don't Want A Rush Back To Workplaces

BOSTON — The coronavirus pandemic has taken thousands of commuters off roads, buses, and trains — and state officials don't want them to all come rushing back as the state begins to reopen this summer.

During a news conference Wednesday, Gov. Charlie Baker, MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack, and MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak all urged employers to work with state officials to slowly bring workers back. That could mean allowing workers to continue to telecommute and staggering schedules through the summer.

"Employers need to work with us to gradually bring workers back," Pollack said during the news conference.

Two main transit issues have arisen out of the pandemic. With highways, trains, and buses nearly empty, the state has been able to speed through valuable transportation projects.

Baker and the other officials made remarks from the under-renovation Maverick station along the Blue Line. The MBTA had been planning to replace thousands of feet of track between East Boston and the aquarium during weekends later this year, but much of the work has been accomplished this spring with a two-week shut down of the Blue Line.

READ: Most MBTA Service Returns In June Under Coronavirus Opening Plan

MassDOT has also been using the pandemic to work on highways, including repaving sections of the Mass Pike west of Boston.

Transit officials are also facing a public health problem with crowding on vehicles. Poftak said the MBTA would monitor "crowding thresholds" to prevent too many commuters from gathering. The agency is also looking at ways to keep buses from getting too crowded, including having buses bypass stops that are too packed.

According to Baker's reopening plan, most MBTA services will come back online sometime in early June when Phase 2 begins. Right now, the system is operating at about 60 percent capacity.

Baker said that a host of Boston-area companies that employ some 150,000 people have agreed to keep some of their workers telecommuting through the summer to reduce stress on the transportation system. He asked others to consider doing the same.

"We're asking employers to continue considering having employees work from home," he said.