Letter: State Sen. Pat Jehlen Weighs in on Proposed MBTA Cuts

The following was submitted by State Sen. Patricia Jehlen, D-Somerville. It does not reflect the views of Medford Patch:

As you've probably read, the MBTA is proposing to cut service and
raise fares to stay within their budget.  These proposals are
certainly upsetting to all of us who support the MBTA and its riders.
We know that they will reduce ridership, and increase traffic and air
pollution.

It is important to note that the T is doing what it has to do under
the financial constraints placed on it by the legislature.  To balance
their budget with the resources available, they've been forced into
making truly difficult choices.  The T under the current
administration has made great efforts to find other efficiencies and
to close the funding gaps without effecting fares and service.
Unfortunately, the financial constraints that the T is operating under
are too significant to rectify through improved financial management
and “belt tightening.”

It has been clear for many years that the Commonwealth needs to
dedicate more revenue to the T in order to keep the system solvent and
to provide the level of service that we all want.  The Secretary of
DOT himself acknowledges that their proposals will result in reduced
ridership and a degradation of air quality.  These are not outcomes
that DOT or the MBTA -- or anyone -- wants.

Two years ago the T was faced with a similar problem and the
legislature increased the sales tax and dedicated additional funds to
the T.  This was a one-year fix.  That was clear to anyone who was
looking at projected T financing.  To their credit, people at the MBTA
were able to manage their way through two years rather than one.

Certainly some more modest fare increases may be in order.  The T
offers one of the least expensive services in the nation and there has
not been a fare increase in 5 years.

Even the relatively big increases being proposed will not provide more
than a one- or two-year fix.  I, along with some of my colleagues,
have been advocating for an increase in the gas tax as a reasonable
and sustainable way to ensure financial solvency for the T.  It is
past time that we seriously address these long term funding issues. I
will continue to advocate for an increase in the gas tax and more
dedicated revenue to the T.

While it will not solve the overall problem, I believe that those of
us in the corridor of the Green Line Extension corridor can make the
case that we deserve special consideration as mitigation for its
delay, since the proposed cuts in service will lead to worse air
pollution.