Transportation

Worcester County residents are largely taking public officials' pleas to stay home and limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

In December 2019, no one could have predicted what was to come in 2020. Still, the major trends and news items for the year largely stayed on track. Of the 10 predictions made by the WBJ Editorial Staff for the year, seven came true.

Every December, the WBJ Editorial Staff makes 10 predictions of news events and trends coming in the next year for the Central Massachusetts economy. Here's what they expect to happen in 2021.

The MBTA announced Thursday it would cut back on commuter rail services beginning in January in response to a huge decline in ridership as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

The price for gasoline continues to increase in Massachusetts. The average price per gallon of regular unleaded is now $2.12, which is two cents more than last week, according to the travel association AAA Northeast.

West Boylston was awarded $49,000 to improve pedestrian safety at four locations near a school and recreational facilities as part of a $1.7-million state grant package.

The average price for gas is up by two cents in Massachusetts averaging to about $2.10 per gallon of regular unleaded. 

Warehouses and distribution centers have been popping up throughout Central Massachusetts over the last year. In the last few months, online retail giant Amazon has added several locations throughout the region and appears poised to take over the high-profile location for the soon-to-be-demolished Greendale Mall.

More than 800 jobs could be eliminated if the MBTA moves ahead with major service cuts in response to a sharp decline in ridership, according to a new report.

A majority of Massachusetts residents believe that if the MBTA sharply cuts back on services to balance its budget next year those commuting options will not return after the state's economy fully reopens, according to a new MassINC poll.