The MBTA Board has approved an FY10 budget that is balanced only if additional revenues are found. Without revenues, other actions such as service reductions and fare increases would be necessary. The Governor's reform plan dedicates 6 cents of the gas tax to maintain existing T services.
From the Budget Summary:
"The fiscal 2010 budget, although balanced, relies on an additional dedicated revenue source from the Commonwealth of $160 million. The Authority has already begun making contingency plans for a combination of a fare increase and service cuts for the next fiscal year in the event of there being insufficient dedicated revenues."
Read the budget summary.
The T hopes to avoid the unfortunate reality in other cities, as shown here.
It will never work.
Keep it ( the T ) the way it is.
Let's reform the Lawmakers pension and tamper with their Healthcare. ( Lead by example )
Get off your high horse and leave the working men and womaen alone.
Posted by: Tom Anderson | March 20, 2009 at 01:21 PM
How can you expect taxpayers to have any trust when even the Globe has these two stories today?
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/17/officials_kin_had_no_work_state_job/
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/03/17/turnpike_authority_has_yet_to_make_layoffs/
Never mind these issues, If our state and national legislators cared about our roads, we would be getting another $25 million for infrastructure and not the JFK Library. They can fund their own legacy, they've wasted enough of ours already.
"Reform before Revenue," I don't think you understand your own slogan.
Posted by: Matt | March 17, 2009 at 08:00 PM
You're getting how much from the stimulus package and you can't even balance the budget without hitting us up for more? Unbelievable. Too bad the stimulus money is going into such a wasteful bureaucracy.
Posted by: Tom Armstrong | March 13, 2009 at 03:44 PM
I have to agree - The governor talks about "gaining trust" in the citizens of MA but WE all have to get by on LESS. We don't have the option of raising revenue. Additionally, as the previous person said, why should I be funding the T? Or more specifically, the T employees. They can take a pay cut, I did. You want my trust? Do more with less. Almost everyone has had to lose pay lately, why should T employees (and Mass Pike employees for that matter) continue unaffected? Menino took a cut in pay, what's the matter Gov, is that beneath you?
Posted by: Tom Armstrong | March 13, 2009 at 03:24 PM
Yes 6 cents for T management but out of my pocket! I live in western mas.I don't want to fund the T! Raise the T fees if you need more money for them!Raise it 10cents if you want to.
But don't charge me for what I don't use.
Is anyone listening? We are fed up with supporting Boston!
Get out of my pocket!
Posted by: ken barrepski | March 13, 2009 at 02:54 PM