Conversations with...MBTA

Join us for our Conversations With Program with Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). The MBTA is pleased to present our program to completely re-build its bus maintenance facilities to support the transition to zero-emissions buses, expand capacity for its fleet, and improve working conditions for employees. Today, the MBTA operates a fleet of 1,100+ buses from nine bus maintenance facilities located in Boston and surrounding communities (Lynn, Quincy, Cambridge, and Medford). These facilities are over-crowded, in very poor condition, and cannot accommodate the charging infrastructure required for the full transition to battery electric buses – our zero-emissions technology of choice for our bus fleet decarbonization. The MBTA has a plan to build a new facility – starting with its Quincy location – every 2-3 years to support meeting our zero emissions target of 2040. The new bus maintenance facilities will be state of the art – housing 120 – 200 buses in an all-indoor environment complete with overhead pantograph chargers and modernized maintenance equipment. Join us for this conversation to learn more about this program and our plans for design and construction.


Conditions at our existing Quincy Facility (above) and renderings of our new facility (below).


Presenter Bios

Scott Hamwey
Scott Hamwey has led planning and strategic initiatives for the MBTA since 2009.  In his current role as the Director of the Bus Facility Modernization program, he leads a team focused on infrastructure necessary to support a growing zero emissions bus fleet for our customers and modern and efficient environments for our workforce.  In his prior role as Manager of Transit Planning, Scott led Focus40, the MBTA’s long-range capital plan, and the MBTA’s Rail Vision process – the foundation for the MBTA’s Rail Transformation program.  He also led the planning of the Silver Line Gateway project (SL3) and developed the MBTA strategy for advancing on-street bus lanes, with his team leading several of the initial implementations.  Prior to the MBTA, Scott was a contractor at the Federal Transit Administration, supporting the New Starts grants program and transit agency compliance with the ADA.  Scott holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and a Masters degree from Harvard University.

Alexandra Markiewicz
As Manager of the Bus Facility Modernization Program at the MBTA, Alexandra Markiewicz focuses on developing a strategy for delivering new, modern MBTA bus maintenance facilities to support the agency’s transition to battery electric buses. In the role, Alexandra manages the preliminary design process for the new facilities, which has included facilitation of workshops with building end users to confirm the program and evaluate the design and operational implications of new charging technologies. She has also spearheaded an evaluation of cost drivers across the program through comparison to peer agency projects and industry standards. At the MBTA, Alexandra has previously led a planning efforts service improvements and multimodal access to transit in the Boston region. Prior to her work for the MBTA, she focused on national and international transportation research projects at the US DOT Volpe Center. Alexandra holds a Bachelor of the Arts in History from University of Chicago and a Master of Urban Planning from University of Michigan.

Steven Belanger, P.E.
Steven Belanger has been with the MBTA for 5 years in various positions such as Resident Engineer and Project Manager and is currently a Senior Project Manager for the Capital Delivery Department.  In his time at the MBTA, he has managed the design and/or construction of a wide range of projects, including track and signals, elevators, garage repairs, data center upgrades, duct bank replacement, as well as portal flood barriers. Most recently, Steve has managed the delivery of MBTA’s first two Bus Facility Modernization Projects, including North Cambridge and Quincy. Prior to the MBTA, Steve was a Project Manager and Civil Engineer at multiple consulting firms in Massachusetts, working on a large portfolio of projects including New Balance Development and Boston Landing Station in Brighton, MA as well as General Dynamics Electric Boat facility modifications and improvements at Quonset Point, RI and Groton, CT. Steven is a Registered Professional Engineer in the States of MA and RI and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University.

Sponsor opportunities are available for each of the Conversations With programs. Contact Kara Cady for more information.