01/13/2012

MBTA: Fare and Service Proposals Public Meetings Begin

MassDOT encourages members of the public to “join the discussion” and attend public meetings beginning next week regarding the proposed fare increase and service reduction plans for the MBTA aimed at closing a projected $161 million budget gap for fiscal year 2013.

Public meetings on the proposals next week include:
• Tuesday, January 17, Newton: 5:30-7:30 PM Newton City Hall, War Memorial Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue
• Tuesday, January 17, Worcester: 6:00-8:00 PM Public Library, Saxe Room, 3 Salem Square
• Wednesday, January 18, Chelsea: 6:00-8:00 PM Public Library, Auditorium, 569 Broadway
• Thursday, January 19, Boston (Roxbury): 6:00-8:00 PM Roxbury Community College, Auditorium, 1234 Columbus Avenue

In order to fully engage transit users in the process, the MBTA will host more than 20 public hearings The list of meetings times and locations is now available at www.mbta.com/jointhediscussion

A final fare increase and service reduction recommendation will be made to the MBTA’s Board of Directors this spring and changes will be implemented on July 1, 2012.

The MBTA has taken aggressive steps to reduce the deficit: reducing energy purchase costs, planned introduction of single person train operation on the Red Line, encouraging MBTA employees to enroll in more affordable health insurance plans and other operating and administrative efficiencies. However, growing debt service costs associated with capital projects, significant increases in maintenance costs for an aging fleet and higher costs for the RIDE mean additional solutions are necessary.

In addition to rising operating costs, annual revenues continue to be insufficient to fund the system.  Sales tax revenue allocated to the MBTA has increased by only 0.08% annually since fiscal year 2001, resulting in growing budget gaps since the original projections were made with the expectation of forward funding. While the MBTA was a beneficiary of the 2009 sales tax increase, the annual growth in sales tax revenues is not enough to address continuing increases in the cost of service on all modes.

As only one of two transit properties in North America that has not raised fares over the last five years, the MBTA has worked hard to identify ways to save money and reduce costs, while improving customer service.  From investments in accessibility improvements to use of modern technology to improved transparency, the MBTA is committed to responding to the needs of its customers. 

The Fare Increase and Service Reductions Study is available at www.mbta.com.

The MBTA’s public outreach process begins immediately with the acceptance of public comment through March 1, 2012 electronically at mbta.com, by email at fareproposal@mbta.com, via mail to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, Ma 02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee, and by phone at 617-222-3200/ TTY (617) 222-5146

Public meetings including one hearing will be held beginning January 17 through March 6.  A complete list of meetings times and locations is now available at www.mbta.com/jointhediscussion

The Patrick-Murray Administration this week announced the completion and opening of Route 24 Interchange 8B, a signature project that created jobs while investing in the state’s infrastructure to enhance long term economic development. The $35 million project created a new exit and interchange, 8B, between the existing exits 8 and 9 on Route 24 in Freetown and is funded by the Obama Administration's federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The project will reduce congestion at exits 8, 9 and South Main Street while providing access to the new Fall River Executive Park. The project constructed a new street, Executive Park Drive, connecting Riggenbach Road and South Main Street and providing access to the Executive Park and the Exit 8B ramps. The project also includes a new bridge to carry Executive Park Drive over Route 24 and entrance and exit ramps to connect Route 24 north and southbound to Executive Park Drive.

The project work began in early 2010 and has been completed on schedule in less than two years. To speed construction and minimize the disruption to the traveling public, MassDOT used an expedited design/build approach to construction management.

More information is available on the Interchange 8B Project website.

New Guide for Parents of Teen Drivers

MassDOT Secretary Richard A. Davey this week joined MassDOT RMV Registrar Rachel Kaprielian at the Boston Chinatown RMV branch to announce the availability of a new guide to optimize the 40-hours of supervised driving teens are required to complete under parental supervision prior to receiving their license. “As young people across Massachusetts learn to drive our roadways with obvious excitement, I hope the availability of 'The Parent’s Supervised Driving Guide' will ease some of the stress and concern often experienced by the parents and guardians of new drivers,” said Secretary Davey

Teens obtaining their learner’s permit will be given a copy of the “The Parent’s Supervised Driving Guide” at RMV branches in the Commonwealth. The guide is intended for use by parents and guardians. The guide is provided at no cost to families or to taxpayers, through a partnership with Safe Roads Alliance, a not-for-profit advocate for improved highway safety and the guides sponsor, Safety Insurance.

The guide is divided into eleven skill sets, such as parking, backing up, city and highway driving, and asks parents and teens to initial each lesson as the material is covered and the lesson is completed. Within the guide, a log is provided to record the required driving hours, the skills covered and the time and weather conditions. The guide also offers parents guidance on how to approach each lesson as well as how to continue education once the 40 hours are completed.

MassDOT Board February Public Meeting

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board of Directors will hold its next regular public business meeting on Wednesday, February 1 , 1:00pm, MBTA Board Room, Suite 3910, State Transportation Building, Boston.    

 The MBTA Board will meet first at 1pm, followed by the MassDOT Board.  All meetings are open to the public. The meeting schedule is available on the MassDOT website.

Board Meeting Schedule