Incumbents are indicated with *
Candidates proceeding to the municipal election on November 5th are indicated with †
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Ricardo Arroyo†
(pdf of answers)
Maria Esdale Farrell†
(no answers submitted)
About the Candidate |
1. How do you move around your community and get to where you need to go? |
2. What is a particularly dangerous problem or location in your community for people walking, biking, taking transit, or for people with disabilities that you'd like to see addressed? |
3. Why do you think people who care about walking, biking, transit, and mobility issues should vote for you? |
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Ricardo Arroyo |
Previously I owned a hybrid, now I do not have a car and rely on the MBTA and ride sharing. |
Enneking Parkway near Alwin St. in front of the Georgetowne community, it is treated as a two lane highway and for members of Georgetowne who are crossing the street there is no crosswalk, at night the lighting is poor, this is one area. |
I am dedicated to making transportation in District 5 work better for residents. I am an advocate for bus lanes and traffic calming measures, I am an advocate for bike lanes, and ensuring they are connected throughout the city, I believe that free fares for all is a just policy and will advocate for it. I also want to see public transportation within the district serve to move people around the district and not just out of it, for commuter rail fares to be adjusted and lowered. Finally I am a staunch advocate for ensuring all our transportation is accessible to people with disabilities. |
Policy Proposals |
1. How will you ensure implementation of the infrastructure changes needed to slow traffic on your community's streets, and improve crosswalks and intersections to make them safer for people who are walking and using mobility assistive devices? |
2. How will you improve the reach, frequency, and quality of public transit in Boston? |
3. How will you ensure fast-tracked implementation of a city-wide network of off-street paths and protected bike lanes on major thoroughfares and connecting streets that are safe and comfortable for people of all ages and abilities? |
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Ricardo Arroyo |
I intend to be as hands on as the office allows. That means advocating on the ground level, and in the appropriate agencies, for the resources and attention the district requires. I am a believe in traffic calming and being creative in our solutions such as 3D crosswalks and other low cost measures that have been proven effective. The safety of residents is paramount and those with disabilities rely on us to get it right. It is for that reason I take the responsibility to use my office to advocate for these infrastructure changes personally. |
By using my platform and the power of the office to advocate and push policy that improves the quality of public transit. I intend to push for bus lanes, an adjustment regarding the commuter rail zoning, and for more frequent services, as well as a return to late night service. I believe that if we want residents to use cars less, which is good for a whole host of reasons, it is imperative that we provide them with a better alternative and that requires improving services across the board. |
I will work with the other members of the CIty Council and the appropriate agencies to ensure we do better by our bike riding community. I would like to see our bike lanes interconnected and will work in partnership with community and advocates to ensure that is done in a timely and appropriate manner. |
Additional Questions
Click on the categories below for the complete question asked. Click on any answer with a * for further explanation of the candidate's stance.
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Do you support: |
1. Vision Zero 1. Vision Zero is an approach which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries and has been adopted by Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, and many other cities across the country. Do you support the principles of Vision Zero policies and funding for their rapid implementation? click outside popup to close |
2. State law allowing automated enforcement 2. One key strategy that has been proven to effectively reduce speeding, improve safety, and remove racial bias in traffic enforcement in other states and countries is automated enforcement (i.e. speed cameras and red light cameras). Do you support S.1376, An Act relative to automated enforcement, which if passed would authorize cities and towns in Massachusetts to opt into the use of automated enforcement? To see the full text of the bill, visit malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S1376 click outside popup to close |
3. Bike Network Plan 3. Do you support the implementation of improved bike facilities identified in your community’s Bike Network Plan or do you support the creation of a Bike Network Plan if none already exists? click outside popup to close |
4. Age-friendly walking conditions 4. Do you support creating age-friendly walking conditions in your community -- an issue raised by many seniors as critical to their ability to 'age in community'? If yes, how? click outside popup to close |
(more below) |
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Ricardo Arroyo |
Strongly Support |
Neither Support nor Oppose*
Ricardo ArroyoI would need to further research this issue, I attended law school in Chicago where red light cameras were implemented and used so I am aware of their use in other cities but would need to look into the data before forming an opinion to support or oppose. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support*
Ricardo ArroyoBy addressing sidewalks, crosswalks, signal timing, pedestrian ramps, places to rest, and shade, expanding the use of audible crosswalk signals and in areas that make the most sense instituting longer walk times. I am also an advocate for using materials that are better for mobility in our crosswalk designs like rubber for example. click outside popup to close |
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Do you support: |
5. Restriction of parking for bus-only lanes 5. Do you support the restriction of on-street parking during rush hour in order to create dedicated bus lanes on certain major thoroughfares where bus riders experience significant delays due to traffic congestion? click outside popup to close |
6. New revenue sources 6. Do you support exploring new ways of raising revenue to provide Boston with more tools to improve conditions for people walking, using mobility assistive devices, biking, and using public transit (e.g. increasing the gas tax, implementing congestion pricing, increasing fees on Uber/Lyft)? If yes, please give examples that interest you. click outside popup to close |
7. Dynamic parking meter pricing 7. Do you support the rollout of dynamic parking meter pricing in business districts, which would increase meter rates during periods of increased demand, to free up on-street parking and reduce cars "cruising" for open spaces? click outside popup to close |
8. Traffic signal timing that prioritizes people walking 8. Boston has many traffic signals that do not work well for pedestrians. Do you support making signal timing safer, easier, and more convenient for people walking and using mobility assistive devices at all paces? click outside popup to close |
(more below) |
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Ricardo Arroyo |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support*
Ricardo ArroyoGas tax and increasing fees on Uber/Lyft click outside popup to close |
Somewhat Support*
Ricardo ArroyoI need to and intend to research how this can be implemented before taking a stronger position, though I lean towards support I would like to research it further. click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support |
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Do you support: |
9. Charging for residential parking permits 9. Do you support charging an annual fee for residential parking permits? click outside popup to close |
10. Reducing/ eliminating MBTA fares 10. Do you support reducing or eliminating MBTA fares for people with low income? click outside popup to close |
11. Ensuring large-scale developments are walkable, resilient, green, and connected 11. Do you support ensuring large-scale developments (including Sullivan Square, the Allston I-90 Interchange, and Suffolk Downs) incorporate the community's desire for walkability, connectivity, open space, and resiliency? click outside popup to close |
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Ricardo Arroyo |
Somewhat Support*
Ricardo ArroyoI am supportive but do want to ensure that the process for waiver for financial hardship is as accessible and user friendly as possible before taking a stronger stance, I understand the current proposal does include language to this affect but my work as a Public Defender has made clear to me that those facing financial difficulties are often unable to access the services and waivers they are eligible for due to difficulty navigating bureaucracy, I would need to be satisfied the plan accounts for those residents in an inclusive manner before being a "strongly support". click outside popup to close |
Strongly Support |
Strongly Support |
About the Candidate
Policy Proposals
Additional Questions
I would need to further research this issue, I attended law school in Chicago where red light cameras were implemented and used so I am aware of their use in other cities but would need to look into the data before forming an opinion to support or oppose.
By addressing sidewalks, crosswalks, signal timing, pedestrian ramps, places to rest, and shade, expanding the use of audible crosswalk signals and in areas that make the most sense instituting longer walk times. I am also an advocate for using materials that are better for mobility in our crosswalk designs like rubber for example.
Gas tax and increasing fees on Uber/Lyft
I need to and intend to research how this can be implemented before taking a stronger position, though I lean towards support I would like to research it further.
I am supportive but do want to ensure that the process for waiver for financial hardship is as accessible and user friendly as possible before taking a stronger stance, I understand the current proposal does include language to this affect but my work as a Public Defender has made clear to me that those facing financial difficulties are often unable to access the services and waivers they are eligible for due to difficulty navigating bureaucracy, I would need to be satisfied the plan accounts for those residents in an inclusive manner before being a "strongly support".