PRESS RELEASE: Immediate Release
March 9, 2009

Contact:
Lee Matsueda, T Rider Union, 617-442-3343 x 229
Eric Bourassa, MASSPIRG 617-747-4314

Transit Advocates Look To Prevent Looming Fare Hikes and Service Cuts

Boston—With massive MBTA fare hikes and service cuts proposed for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), public transit advocates rallied in front of the State House to highlight the need for increased investments in public transportation.

Staging a "Bake Sale for the T," activists with the T Riders Union, MASSPIRG, the On The Move coalition, and other organizations hope to draw attention to the MBTA’s $8 billion debt and estimated $165 million budget deficit by selling cookies, brownies, muffins and other baked goods.

"We’re clearly not going to sell $165 million dollars worth of cookies," said Lee Matsueda of the T Riders Union. "But we hope to engage the public and lawmakers in why we need to address the T’s unsustainable finances."

In February, Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation James Aloisi predicted upwards of a 25 percent fare increase across the MBTA system, along with a 50 percent cut in evening and weekend subway and commuter rail service, the elimination of 20 bus routes, and stopping paratransit service, the RIDE, in nine communities

"We have a duty to respond to the rising numbers of Massachusetts residents that choose transit as a cost-effective, greener transportation option," Secretary Aloisi said of the need to prevent these actions.

Governor Patrick has filed transportation reform legislation that includes dedicating 6 cents of a 19-cent gas tax increase to the MBTA. Advocates believe this is the kind of investment needed for the state’s largest public transportation system.

"We commend the governor who has already made a step in the right direction by supporting a combination of additional revenue to the MBTA, restructuring, and reform, while making concrete improvements for T riders and increasing accountability," said Matsueda.

Public transit advocates also point out that the MBTA benefits the entire state through economic development and curbing pollution from cars and trucks.

"The T fuels the economy of Greater Boston, which in turn generates 50 percent of the state’s jobs and 73 percent of the population," said MASSPIRG Advocate Eric Bourassa. "The income and business taxes on this growth are then distributed across the state to fix roads from Pittsfield to Provincetown."

"Imagine Beantown coping with half the number of Green Line trolleys after an evening Red Sox game. Or the congestion caused by a commuter rail system more expensive than parking in downtown Boston," continued Bourassa. "Another way for drivers to appreciate public transportation is to think of every person on the subway, bus, or commuter rail as one less automobile clogging our highways, emitting pollution, causing accidents, and making auto insurance even more expensive."