Gov. Maura Healey laid out this week how her $56.1 billion budget proposal will make an investment in safe, reliable and more affordable transportation.

Healey said her budget would deliver $314 million to the day-to-day operations of the MBTA, which she called an unprecedented increase in funding. It would invest in capital projects and maintenance, and invest in equity with $45 million devoted to a system-wide reduced fair option for low-income riders.

The state also recently hired its first ever east-west rail director.

"We're closer to ever to true west-east and east-west passenger service from Pittsfield to Springfield to Worcester to Boston and back that will also provide a long-term boost to economy," Healey said.

Healey also signed an executive order to create a new transportation funding task force, which will spend the next year examining the state’s transportation system and developing recommendations for a long-term, sustainable transportation finance plan.