The MBTA’s problems stem from historic management and oversight problems, not from inaction by the state legislature. At least that’s the argument made by the co-chairs of the Joint Committee on Transportation.
A committee report found 57 safety failures at the T that were not connected to a lack of funding. Instead, “these were oversight management problems of a historic nature that has plagued this system,” Rep. Bill Straus told Boston Public Radio on Monday.
Yet, Straus and his co-chair, State Sen. Brendan Crighton, also said that a well-funded T is key to its success. In response to the safety concerns and directives from the Federal Transit Administration, the legislature provided close to $400 million to meet the FTA’s requirements and another $400 million for authorization.
“When we have a willing partner that's there to say we need these resources, we've delivered,” said Crighton.
Straus doesn’t think current funding is sufficient, even though the MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said at an oversight hearing a few weeks ago that the T had enough funds to operate and meet safety requirements.
“My concern is that while we significantly added to transportation and education …with the millionaire's tax, frankly, the $500 million a year that will come this new fiscal year to transportation is not enough when you consider that the capital needs at the T are in the area of $9 billion,” said Straus. The millionaire’s tax was approved by voters last fall and puts a 4% surtax on the portion of an individual's income over $1 million to fund education and transportation.
Despite an influx in funds from the millionaire’s tax, the state is expected to see a decline in gas tax revenue with the rise in electric vehicles. Plus, Crighton said it’s difficult to raise transportation revenue at the legislative level because there are 200 members with various needs for their districts.
To help relieve costs and address structural challenges, Straus advocates for shifting some MBTA responsibilities to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The T would focus on its core mission, which Straus said is to provide safe, reliable and predictable delivery of buses and subways. And commuter rail management would be shifted to MassDOT.
“Let's have a T that focuses on what is its core metro area mission,” Straus said.
During the live radio discussion, former transportation secretary Jim Aloisi (a frequent BPR contributor) tweeted against this idea. "Allow me to point out that moving intercity rail from the T to MassDOT is solving a problem that doesn’t exist. Riders need a connected regional transit network," the tweet said.
Another headline that’s been leading transportation news for several weeks is the Sumner Tunnel closure. As for the expected delays, Crighton said it's been better than anticipated. “I have to tip my cap to the governor and the administration,” he said.
Gov. Healey’s administration approved alternative options for commuters going to and from the North Shore, like a ferry from Lynn, free fares on the Blue Line and reduced commuter rail parking fees at the Wonderland stop. Crighton said he’s happy to see the success of the Lynn ferry.
“We have people turned away every day. I don't want them turned away, but I'm glad to see public transit is now being used. And maybe this is something that should be continuing in the future along all three of those modes,” Crighton said.
