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Rick Dimino
The MBTA system enables our economy to thrive, helps commuters connect to their jobs and serves thousands of transit dependent riders every day. Whenever public transit isn’t readily available or even functioning properly, it is easy to see the negative impacts that fall on people throughout Greater Boston and the disruption on our city streets. Unfortunately, these letdowns are happening too often. Finger-pointing and debating who is time blame is tempting but will not bring the changes that are necessary. The MBTA is operating in a state of crisis and we need urgent action in the weeks ahead to address this challenge.
The Federal Transit Administration recently opened a safety review of the MBTA after multiple lapses in safety that led to two tragic deaths and subway vehicle collisions that caused dozens of injuries. The initial FTA findings called for the MBTA to increase staffing for subway dispatchers, address specific track maintenance projects and improve management practices related to training and safety certification of workers. The FTA will be releasing a more comprehensive and substantive report later this summer.
Although the FTA’s interim report did not order any specific reductions in MBTA service, the MBTA announced it will run fewer subway trains on the Blue, Orange and Red Lines. Together, these three subway lines carry over half of all MBTA ridership, many of whom serve as essential workers. This vast service reduction has been made to the wrong people at the wrong time. Quickly restoring these subways lines to full service should be the first step forward for the MBTA.
This goal can and should be reached before the end of July. Unfortunately, the MBTA anticipates this vastly reduced weekday service will remain in effect through the fall, because the MBTA needs to hire four additional dispatchers as well as two more oversight managers to comply with FTA directives.
Even if it requires temporary contractors, consultants or requesting urgent support assistance from peer transit agencies, this is something that ought to be achieved within weeks, not months. It could involve reassigning employees with related expertise who may currently work at Massport, the National Guard, or other state or federal agencies. It requires leadership and urgency from the Gov. Charlie Baker, MassDOT and the MBTA.
Capital Needs Require Clear Plan
Staffing ratios at the MBTA is a fixable problem in the short term, but capital improvements and the public perception of the MBTA will require longer efforts, clear communication with the public and some accountability.
The FTA’s report on safety is similar to findings from the last independent safety assessment conducted in 2019. We do not need another study or commission to tell the public what is obvious: The MBTA faces deep systemic challenges in fixing the system while trying to avoid increases to its annual operating budget.
It is time to end the fiscal shell game and conflicts between the operating and capital budgets.
We need transparency from the MBTA on the annual operating budget needs that includes sufficient resources that can deliver on repair work, additional safety oversight and the appropriate number of bus drivers to meet the daily needs of riders.
In their defense, MBTA officials acknowledge they face financial challenges in 12 months when federal pandemic assistance is expected to run out, but we do not know the current costs to bring the system into a state of good repair within the next decade, nor the impacts of the recent FTA findings. Once the real financial needs for operating and capital costs are announced, a new comprehensive finance plan will be necessary.
Our Future Depends on a Strong MBTA
Riders, businesses and other stakeholders are frustrated that the poor infrastructure and management challenges associated at the MBTA, and there must be real change or riders will continue to avoid using public transit. The answers are not to tell people to work from home, to wait for the fall or even wait for the next administration to address the future of the MBTA and this region.
The Greater Boston economy is built upon many business centers that are transit-dependent, such as the South Boston Waterfront, Kendall Square and the Longwood Medical Center. With future growth expected in these areas, as well as Fenway, Cambridge Crossing and municipalities that surround Boston, the MBTA is essential for today’s economy and for future expansions currently underway. The roads and highways in Massachusetts are facing chronic traffic congestion and cannot meet our mobility needs if commuters are shifting away from public transit.
In this time of crisis, there is opportunity. Gov. Baker and the legislature can act to provide financial resources that assist with the future financial needs of the MBTA, as well as expanding capital delivery options for the MBTA to complete infrastructure repairs. The reduced subway service as a result of the FTA report in combination with the temporary shutdown of section of the Green and Orange lines near Haymarket Station were a reminder of the systemwide failure during the winter of 2015. We realized then that Greater Boston relies on a strong MBTA system, and we are at this point again.
This time can be different, if we move with urgency to renew the efforts create an MBTA that operates as the region’s mobility mode of choice, addresses climate needs, and continues its role as the engine of our economy.
Rick Dimino is CEO of A Better City.
