General Recommendations — No Quick Fixes
There are no “quick fixes” to this myriad of issues. While we were not
asked to provide specific recommendations, there are some general
ones that we would suggest:
• A high-level MassDOT examination of safety and capital projects
is in order. With 51 projects classified as “a danger to life or limb
of passengers and/or employees,” prioritizing these projects
against public safety needs is imperative. It may require an
extended period to address them properly, but what could be
more important?
• There is no question that the MBTA is an expensive and complex
system. It requires large expenditures just to continue operating.
Any thought that these problems can be addressed primarily
through expense reductions is misguided. However, MassDOT
should require more transparency in these expenses, so there is
better control and more oversight in their uses.
• The underlying debt issues should be reexamined in the context
of this review’s findings. In addition, the MBTA should not be able
to enter into new debt obligations without MassDOT oversight.
• It makes little sense to continue expanding the system when the
MBTA cannot maintain the existing one. Slow expansion until the
safety and maintenance priorities can be addressed.
• If there is any chance for the MBTA to begin to close its deficit
gap, there is little question that secure new revenue sources will
have to be developed over time.
• The only major long-term operational success of Forward Funding
is the fact that the riding public paid three fare increases in the
last eight years. That resulted in a cumulative $95M gain. Asking
that same public in 2010 for yet another fare increase because
Forward Funding did not work defies credibility. The riding public
deserves to have tangible evidence that the MBTA is improving
safety and service—not deteriorating further.
