House Speaker Robert DeLeo addresses reporters in this file photo. Photo by Sam Doran | State House News Service

House Speaker Robert DeLeo on Monday evening questioned whether the $50 million for the MBTA hung up in a legislative dispute would be put toward safety as he used a damning report released on the safety culture at the transit agency as a opportunity to make his case for new revenue.

The report released Monday was produced by a panel of three transit experts hired by the MBTA after multiple derailments this past summer. Fiscal belt-tightening, a lack of trust in leadership and frequent lapses in maintenance and inspections all contributed to a “questionable” approach to safety at the MBTA, the independent panel concluded.

“Today’s report was alarming,” DeLeo said in a statement. “Further, today was the first time that I’ve heard that the $50 million the governor requested would be directed to address widespread safety issues at the MBTA.”

Baker requested $50 million to help pay for an accelerated repair program along certain lines of the MBTA subway system. The money is currently tied up in a disagreement between the House and Senate over how to spend the more than $1 billion surplus from fiscal 2019.

DeLeo has, in the past, described the MBTA as a system in “crisis” and has promised a debate in the House over how to generate new revenues to invest in infrastructure and performance. While Baker has said additional money is not necessary, the speaker said the safety report strengthens his position.

“In addition to the multiple, well-documented performance issues with the MBTA, the findings of this report clearly underscore the need for a dedicated long-term revenue stream to ensure not only the reliability, but most importantly the safety of the MBTA. The House looks forward to debating transportation revenue this winter,” DeLeo said.

The MBTA already gets a carveout from the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax, and T fares, which were raised this year, are reinvested in public transit. House leaders have been working for months on a revenue plan to generate new funds for public transportation, but have yet to unveil any specific proposals. Advocates have offered a number of different proposals, from A Better City’s suggestion for a gas tax increase combined with expanded tolls, through a large coalition of business groups’ push for a package that includes higher fees on Uber and Lyft rides and a carbon price levied on fuel distributors. The state’s transportation systems face a bill of at least $50 billion for a maintenance backlog and various modernization and expansion projects aimed at dealing with the region’s choking traffic and reducing the state’s carbon emissions.

House leaders have talked about drawing more money from transportation system users. The gas tax, which is reinvested in roads through the state highway fund, was last raised by 3 cents per gallon, to 24 cents a gallon, as part of a 2013 transportation revenue package crafted in part by DeLeo’s House.

It’s unclear whether DeLeo is eyeing a tax source other than the sales tax for the T. Through an aide, he declined to elaborate on his statement.

On Monday, Gov. Charlie Baker pointed out the T’s sales tax carveout when asked if the safety report gave him reason to believe the T needs a new committed revenue source but said his administration will consider T funding as it writes it budget proposal.