Nov 4, 2009 5:41 pm US/Eastern
Patrick: No New MBTA Fare Hikes For 'Year Or Two'
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Gov. Deval Patrick says there will be no new fare hikes on the T for "the next year or two" after
a scathing new report on the MBTA raised concerns about riders safety.
The report recommends prioritizing dozens of critical safety concerns, re-examining the agency's massive debt, slowing expansion plans and finding new revenue.
Read: The MBTA Report (.pdf)
DON'T ASK THE RIDERS
The independent review of the MBTA's finances, requested by Patrick and led by former John Hancock chairman David D'Alessandro, says new revenue should not come from riders.
They say asking passengers to dig deeper would hurt the agency's credibility even further.
The study also suggests that passengers are about the only revenue source for the MBTA the last few years that hasn't come up short.
'WOULD LIKELY FOLD'
D'Alessandro said that the transportation system is plagued with neglect and digging deeper in debt.
In his opinion, "A private sector firm faced with this mountain of red ink would likely fold or seek bankruptcy."
The 36-page report unveiled Wednesday also classified 51 projects as "a danger to life or limb of passengers and/or employees" and suggested prioritizing those subway, bus and commuter rail repairs.
'CONSIDERABLE PROBLEMS'
"Is there an imminent safety danger today on these projects? We don't think so," D'Alessandro said at a news conference with Patrick.
"But, if more money is not spent on these projects on a timely basis, as the governor said on a re-prioritized basis, there's no question in our minds that there will be considerable problems."
SOURCE FOR REVENUE?
The review points to failed financing, saying the system needs a permanent revenue source.
At this point, it's not clear what that source will be.
But Patrick said it won't be riders' pockets.
'WILL NOT SUPPORT FARE INCREASE'
"The MBTA will not seek and I will not support a fare increase for the next year or two, longer if possible. There is a lot of work that first must be done."
D'Alessandro and Patrick insist passengers shouldn't be asked for any more money until they can see tangible proof that the MBTA is improving in reliability.
Patrick said they'll come up with a plan in the next few months.
D'Alessandro refused to place the blame on MBTA officials.
He said the administration and legislative oversight committees also were aware of the authority's funding and maintenance problems.
WBZ's Peg Rusconi contributed to this report.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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