Greetings!

The holiday season is upon us and at the Merrimack Valley TMA, we would like to express our gratitude towards our members and commuting enthusiasts in the Merrimack River valley who have made our programs what they are today.
We are welcoming the change in season with a chance to engage more with our members about our services and programs.

Over the next several months, we will be holding on-site meetings at our members' sites in an effort to educate more commuters about the incentive programs and customized transportation solutions we offer.
Our meetings will be listed on our calendar and social media feeds. If you would like to set up a meeting at your worksite, please contact our Outreach Manager, Al Marrone.

Warm wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

As it currently stands, the pre-tax limit on the transit portion of the Commuter Benefit (which includes vanpools) is $130/month and $245/month for parking. This disparity in pre-tax benefits puts an undue burden on transit commuters since they have to pay a higher effective tax rate while those who drive to work are further incentivized to do so (clogging our roadways in the process). Permanent parity between the two benefits is possible but it requires you to contact your member of Congress today! More information...

On November 12th, Andover-based employers, town officials and MVTMA members came together for the Annual Town of Andover Fall Roundtable. Town Manager Buzz Stapczynski described efforts to make Andover safer for bicyclists. He also made a pitch for economic development in the town, citing a new website. Merrimack Valley Means Business was developed by the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission in an effort to attract new businesses to relocate to the area.
Paul Materazzo, Planning Director for the Town of Andover spoke about zoning efforts in the area near the Andover commuter rail station and Shawsheen Square. More...

The CEO and Secretary of MassDOT Richard Davey resigned his post effective November 1st. Highway Adminstrator Frank DePaola has assumed his role as Acting Secretary through the transition to Governor-Elect Baker's administration. Assuming his post in September of 2011, Secretary Davey was the longest serving Transportation Secretary in Massachusetts since 1997. More...

On November 19th, Governor Patrick appointed Robin Chase to fill a vacancy on the MassDOT Board of Directors. Chase, founder and former CEO of Zipcar previously served on the Patrick Administration's Transportation Transition Working Group and the Boston Mayor's Wireless Task Force. She is also the founder of Buzzcar, a car-sharing marketplace in France and GoLoco, an online ridehsharing community. More...