Will Brownsberger — State Senator, Democrat, 2d Suffolk and Middlesex District

I’m still answering a lot of emails about the MBTA. Here’s an example and my reply.

We’ve been in touch with the MBTA about frequency reductions that constituents have reported to us on these routes. This is the written response that we have received as to the 78 and we received verbally similar explanations regarding the 74 and the 75. Thank you for letting me know about your concerns with recent [...]

The MBTA’s “solution” is unacceptable.  There is no reason to raise any fares or cut any services.  There are five sources for enough money to cover this year’s shortfall, over $220 million, at http://www.ace-ej.org/node/3260/print  (see below). And that doesn’t count the $140 million savings we could have from shifting the debt off the T. Please [...]

Today, MBTA staff announced final recommendations that will be presented to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board for approval. The details are presented here.

I have a disability that prevents me from being as involved in disability issues as much as I would like – but I do try to stay on top of local issues. Apparently, Governor Patrick will give the money normally spent for snow removal to help the MBTA’s finances, which will help all riders on [...]

I’ve transmitted my comment letter to the MBTA and will be following up with continuing communications to oppose service cuts.

My views about the MBTA’s proposed service cuts and fare increases have been evolving. I now oppose all service cuts whether or not they affect my district.

HI How about raising the Mass Pike Tolls a little. The Cambridge/Allston tolls have been 1.25 since as far as I can remember. Why not raise it to 1.50 and use that money to pay the Big Dig Loan? It’s not fair that public transportation is shouldering the burden of these loans for roads that [...]

The General Manager of the MBTA has been forthcoming in response to questions from the legislature about the budget crisis. Some of his replies are posted here.

I’m planning to submit a letter to the MBTA summarizing concerns about their budget cut proposals. I thought I would post the draft here so that people could identify any concerns or solution ideas that I had failed to include.

Dear Sen. Brownsberger: Are you taking a leadership role in fighting these destructive and short-sighted T proposals? The MBTA was deliberately left with a huge Big Dig debt and an inadequate funding stream, to support itself by exploiting helpless fare-payers. We need to remove the debt from the T, and create a proper state funding [...]

The globe did a good story this week on the issue of T debt.

The MBTA faces a long-term structural budget deficit. The steep fare increases and service cuts proposed offer only short-term financial relief. In the long run, we need to provide more financial support for the T.