MBTA Board of Directors Testimony December 13, 2023
December 13, 2023
Chair Glynn, Members of the Board, Secretary Tibbits-Nutt, General Manager Eng, thank you for the opportunity to deliver comments today.
- First, congratulations on the successful completion of track work on parts of the Green Line’s core tunnel this past November and in December. A Better City is pleased to see the 2023-2024 Track Improvement Program get off to a strong start.
- The current D Line surface diversion has a significant impact on riders. A Better City recognizes the MBTA for offering AM and PM peak express shuttle service between Riverside and Copley. Hopefully, this reduces the additional time riders spend on alternative service modes.
- Reports from A Better City staff offer mixed reviews on travel times for local shuttle buses. It may be too early to tell. Yesterday, it was more than double. Today, the ride was faster.
- While the Alternative Service Standards do not consider changes in commute time, it is a crucial factor for T riders when planning how to get to work, school, appointments, etc. A Better City suggests the MBTA establish real time feedback loops, if they are not in place, to enable tweaks to alternative service planning during diversions and to collect rider feedback to inform future planning.
- Safety of course remains a priority for the MBTA, and the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) will present their Annual Report today. A Better City looks forward to learning more about how their role has been strengthened and oversight improved. Thank you to DPU officials for your work and continued efforts.
- A Better City continues to support the adoption and implementation of a low-income fare, which will unlock affordable fares to the more than 60,000 riders who are currently unserved by MBTA reduced fare programs.
- Thank you to Healey-Driscoll Administration for prioritizing planning work on low-income fares in last year’s budget. We hope the investment will accelerate program implementation so that eligible riders benefit from cost savings as soon as possible. In addition to low-income fares, A Better City encourages the MBTA to continue looking at Commuter Rail pricing for all riders.
- Commuter Rail can be a key service to encourage mode shift and VMT reductions that the state needs to meet its decarbonization goals. Frequent, reliable, and affordable service should drive ridership growth as should future transit-oriented development along the Commuter Rail in MBTA Communities.
- A Better City encourages the MBTA to implement pilot programs and increase frequency within Zones 1 & 1A. This can be an optimal way to get people into and out of Boston’s downtown and will help with the upcoming diversions.
- Finally, operating a safe, reliable, and affordable public transit system requires a significant level of funding for operations and capital investments. A Better City continues to urge the MBTA to provide the public and elected officials with a full picture of the MBTA’s capital and operating needs.
- If the MBTA expects an operating deficit for the FY25 budget, we hope you can present this information this month, so that we can be informed with our advocacy efforts to the Governor and legislators on the needs of the MBTA to provide service the people of this region deserve.
