Merrimack Valley TMA
Issue: #3December 2012
Greetings!    

Welcome to the Merrimack Valley TMA's December newsletter!

I hope that everyone enjoyed the fall and will have a safe and very happy holiday season. I am pleased to welcome new Communications Manager, Lisa Fox to our TMA team. Many future communications you'll receive will come from Lisa's email address, [email protected], so please make sure to include her email address in your approved list of email recipients. Lisa brings significant experience to the TMA, and I am excited about the opportunity to work with Lisa to enhance our communications in order to better support our members and their employees.

In News from the Merrimack Valley TMA, you will find pertinent information about happenings within the TMA service area, TMA programs and services, as well as transportation infrastructure improvements that will impact your commute. We look forward to continuing our services to assist you with any questions, comments or concerns related to your commute. We're here to help.

Happy Holidays!
Andrea Leary, Executive Director
Merimack Valley TMA

News
Top
Merrimack College logo
Merrimack Valley TMA Welcomes New Member
Merrimack College

 

Merrimack College is the newest member of the Merrimack Valley TMA family. We look forward to working hard to provide programs and services to Merrimack College faculty, staff, and students to help them increase savings and encourage alternative commuting options!

MBTA mTicketing
Mobile Ticketing Comes to the MBTA Commuter Rail
 
A new smart-phone application, called "mTicket" gives customers the ability to purchase tickets and passes on their iPhone or Android devices. Your phone then acts as your ticket! The first phase of the pilot program implementing the use of the MBTA mTicket app began with riders aboard the Commuter Rail lines north and west of Boston. The second phase of the pilot, now in place, expanded to customers aboard the Commuter Ferry and the South Shore Commuter Rail lines. The application streamlines the process of purchasing tickets and does away with the need for paper ticketing all of which are beneficial to commuters.
MVRTA bus
 
 Bus Service from 

Lawrence to Andover Sees Increasing Ridership!

 

On September 4th, The Merrimack Valley Regional Transit Authority (MVRTA) started a new bus service (Route 76) to help commuters get from Lawrence to the River Road area of Andover. This new route provides enhanced public transit options to the office parks on the west side of I-93 (Minuteman Road and Shattuck Road) and is a complimentary service to the MVRTA's Route 37.

 

In its first months of service the new Route 76 service saw steady growth in ridership with numbers more than doubling from September to October! The Merrimack Valley TMA is very pleased to see the employees of the River Road area taking advantage of this new and easy way to "green" their commutes.

 

Click here to view the MVRTA Route 76 bus schedule.

Update: Andover 40B Projects

The Shattuck Road 40B Project was denied approval by the Andover Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in September. Objections to the project included the impact of this type of development on the surrounding industrial park, lack of open space for residents of the site, noise generated by the industrial buildings and the private sewer system in need of upgrades to accommodate the project.

 

The Hanover Group, developers of the project, are appealing the decision before the state Housing Appeals Committee (HAC). In their appeal, The Hanover Group argues that Andover does not meet minimum standards for affordable housing and that past projects like the Casco Crossing 40B project were approved in an industrial zoned area, consistent with the town's 2004 Community Development plan.

 

If the HAC rules in favor of the 40B project at Shattuck Road,  it could mean a loss of control over any conditions attached to the project. After receiving an appeal, the HAC has approximately 4 months to come to a final decision. 


Apartments at Rolling Green rendering
A rendering of the Andover Apartments at Rolling Green 40B Project

The Lowell Street Andover Apartments at Rolling Green 40B Project went before the ZBA on November 1st and is currently in the Hearing Process. Due to concerns regarding additional traffic on Lowell Street as a result of the development, Merrimack Valley TMA membership has been included in the project's mitigation plans to reduce the impact of traffic. If the development is approved, Merrimack Valley TMA staff look forward to working with the developers to address the specific transportation needs for the area.

Events
Event1
Nov 2012 Roundtable

Merrimack Valley TMA Municipal Roundtable Recap

 

On November 1st, the Merrimack Valley TMA held its annual Andover Municipal Roundtable hosted by Putnam Investments. Representatives from 12 TMA member companies attended the event featuring Andover Town Manager Buzz Stapczynski, who presented an overview of town services, updates on current town projects and the Capital Improvement Plan.

 

Andover Planning Director, Paul Materazzo was also on-hand providing a presentation on proposed industrial district zoning changes that will allow certain types of amenities to set up shop in industrial areas. The new "ID2" districts will allow the Andover Planning Board to issue a special permit for convenience stores, grocery stores, dry-cleaning operations, restaurants and indoor recreational establishments. The new ID2 district zoning changes must be approved by citizens at the Andover Town Meeting this spring in order for new commercial amenities to be developed in the River Road area. TMA staff will be working with Andover Planning Department officials during the winter and early spring to provide additional information to Andover residents working at TMA member companies.        

Back to top

Event2  
NuRide for the NuYear

NuRide for the NuYear
Holiday Promotion! 

 

December 5th - 19th, 2012

 

'Tis the season to GREEN your commute and

finish your last-minute shopping on us!

 

Here's your chance to WIN one of two $100 gift cards!

 

The first $100 gift card raffle prize will be awarded to a new participant who signs up for NuRide, Green-to-Work program or Guaranteed Ride Home program.

 

The second $100 raffle prize will be awarded to a participant already registered with NuRide (you must log in one trip during Dec. 5-19.

19). Existing Green-to-Work or Guaranteed Ride Home participants will automatically be eligible for the raffle.

 

Visit our website for more information!

Back to top

News in this Issue
Merrimack Valley TMA Welcomes Merrimack College!
MBTA Mobile Ticketing
NuRide
Events in this Issue

Quick Links




Merrimack Valley TMA QR code
NuRide is a state-of-the-art, on-line ride matching and alternative commute tracking system, it is the nation's largest rewards program for commuters who rideshare, track alternative commutes, while earning NuRide points to redeem for great prizes.

Sign-up for NuRide and get 1,000 NuRide points. Record your trips and redeem your points for rewards!