The Special Panel’s Report on the MBTA

Yesterday Governor Baker and the special panel he appointed to investigate the state of the MBTA and commuter rail system released a report on the beleaguered agency.  Contained within the report are key findings such as an unsustainable operating budget, chronic capital underinvestment, lack of accountability, and absenteeism.

Also noted within the report are several recommendations made by the committee.  Those recommendations include:

·         Capital planning;

·         Capturing revenue opportunities;

·         Installing new fiscal and management oversight including a fiscal control board;

·         Becoming more customer service oriented; and

·         Updating system routes.

The special panel’s report has provided a tremendous amount of information, and now it is time for the Governor and the Legislature to work together in securing the public’s trust by delivering a first class transit system that everyone can rely on.

Posted below is the special panel’s report on the MBTA that was released.

Mbta Panel Report 04-08-2015

Governor Baker’s State Budget Plan

Last week Governor Baker released his version of the FY’16 state fiscal budget, which offers a glimpse of many of his priorities as governor. Governor Baker’s plan comes at a difficult time with the Commonwealth facing a $1.8 billion budget shortfall.

His budget calls for the doubling of the state’s earned income tax credit to provide an economic boost to certain low-income individuals (the Senate Republican Caucus has been advocating for a similar measure for the past few years).

The Governor’s budget also increases two major accounts; transportation and local aid, with the MBTA receiving a $64.5 million increase to assist with the many issues that were exposed during this winter.

Governor Baker’s budget is a commonsense, straight forward plan that avoids raising any broad-based taxes. It’s an excellent first step in the legislative process of passing a state fiscal budget, which must be signed into law prior to July 1^st. In April the House will begin debate of its version of the spending bill, and in May the Senate will debate its version.

To review the Governor’s budget proposal, please click here to be directed to the administration’s FY’16 budget page.

Senate Republican Caucus Urges Gov. Baker to Take Public Transportation Action

Today the Senate Republican Caucus distributed the following press release regarding a letter the caucus sent to Governor Baker urging him to take action on the issues currently hampering the state’s public transportation system:

Senate Republican Caucus Urges Gov. Baker to Take Public Transportation Action

Caucus Stands with the Administration in Seeking Solutions

Boston- Expressing concern of the current state of the Commonwealth’s public transportation system, the Senate Republican Caucus sent a letter to Governor Charlie Baker today to urge him to take the necessary steps in improving Massachusetts’ public transportation system.

“These past few weeks of arctic cold temperatures coupled with abnormal amounts of precipitation have stressed the need for further action to prevent the type of commuter gridlock that has prevented so many from receiving a timely commute to work, home, and other important destinations,” wrote the caucus.

            Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), Assistant Minority Leader Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), Assistant Minority Leader Richard Ross (R-Wrentham), Senate Minority Whip Donald Humason (R-Westfield), Assistant Minority Whip Ryan Fattman (R-Webster) and Vinny deMacedo (R-Plymouth) the Ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, highlighted several issues currently plaguing the public transportation system within their letter. Those issues include:

• A lack of timely communications to inform passengers of delays, cancellations, and diversions;

• A failure of Keolis to fulfill a lengthy list of promised service improvements, e.g., on time performance, equipment performance, safety, customer service, customer satisfaction, ridership growth, etc.;

• The failure of a strong working relationship between Keolis and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA); and

• The purchase of different types of equipment (locomotives, coaches, and control cars) throughout the years from different manufacturers, preventing the formation of a fleet of standardized equipment, which now requires additional training, maintenance and inventory issues and challenges.

“With ridership currently falling over the past decade, an aging infrastructure that has been pieced together through the years, and costs continuing to skyrocket to operate the nation’s oldest public transportation system, we stand with you in exploring methods to ensure the types of adverse issues that have prohibited timely commutes are stymied,” wrote Senate Republicans.

      The senators are optimistic that Governor Baker and the legislature can work cooperatively to bring a cost effective, world class transportation system that commuters can depend on through reforms to address their concerns.

      “We urge you to take all necessary action in improving Massachusetts’ public transportation system.  The Commonwealth depends on a system that delivers a world class service to commuters, and we are dedicated in working with you to ensure the people of this state receive such a system,” wrote the caucus.

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* Posted below is the letter sent today by the Senate Republican Caucus to Governor Charlie Baker.

Letter to Gov. Baker Re MBTA Service 2.12.2015