Tuesday, March 29, 2011

MBTA Oversight Hearings at the State House

The scheduling of hearings by the Joint Committee on Transportation is a welcome development which is timely, relevant, and critical to the improvement of commuter rail service in Massachusetts. Given the many problems commuters have experienced over the past several months with serious delays and missed runs, concerted action is needed to development and implement solutions.

Chairmen McGee and Straus are taking prompt and appropriate action by scheduling these hearings expeditiously, and by providing accommodation for the public in the process. Those who depend on the MBTA deserve to hear about what's being done to address their concerns, and should also have a role in informing future decisions about making the system better.

I encourage those interested to take advantage of the opportunity the committee is providing by attending the hearings and/or sending written testimony to the committee. Click here for a list of members who serve on the committee, and posted below are the details of the hearings, a letter sent to the committee from the Senate GOP caucus urging for the oversight hearings, and two recent articles by the Gloucester Daily Times and Lowell Sun detailing the developments surrounding the issue.

Scheduled Joint Committee on Transportation Hearings:

• Tuesday, April 12th, 2:00pm in A-2 of the State House
• Tuesday, May 3rd, 2:00pm in A-2 of the State House


MBTA Oversight Hearing Letters

Lawmakers Demand Answers on Commuter Rail Troubles

State Plans Oversight Hearings on MBTA Snags