Media Statement: Recent Derailments

BOSTON, June 11, 2019 — Today’s Red Line derailment was the latest in a recent series of derailments and possibly related switch and signal failures on both the Red and Green Lines.  These incidents compromise public safety and are setbacks for those who seek a public transit system that is reliable, resilient and responsive to the needs of people throughout Metro Boston. The frequency and impact of these failures is causing a loss of confidence in the T and calls into question whether and how the MBTA and City of Boston are prepared to respond effectively to the immediate disruptive consequences of derailments and other similar events. TransitMatters is calling today for the FMCB to promptly address these issues by undertaking an expedited independent review of MBTA systems and operations and management protocols covering both the causes of these derailments and the approach to managing their immediate mobility impacts. We know that running a large, old and chronically underinvested transit system is a challenging job, but we cannot accept the service failures of the last few weeks as a new normal. These issues require a prompt forensic deep dive, a report to the public, and action for more funding by the legislature to target accelerated repair and modernization of the system.

For media inquiries, please email: info@transitmatters.org
Photo: James Fisher

Media Statement: Official 2019 Proposed Fare Increase Statement

Below are the comments we presented to the MBTA Fiscal Management Control Board on March 4, 2019:

BOSTON, March 04, 2019 — The MBTA’s proposed 2019 fare increase does not meet any appropriate test for a fair, timely or necessary increase.

The MBTA has sought to justify this increase by pointing to an operating budget deficit. The FY20 deficit is a manufactured one, as the Board has chosen to shift state funding intended for operating costs to the capital account. While performing more repair work is laudable, this cost shifting is made necessary because of the T’s significantly underfunded capital program. If the MBTA’s capital program were fully funded there would be no need to shift operating funds to the capital account. We believe that state funds intended to pay for operating costs should be used for operating expenses, and that the T should develop a comprehensive plan to generate substantial net new revenue that will realistically satisfy its serious capital needs.

Apart from this budget-shifting device, the MBTA adheres to the view that raising fares on a regular two-year cycle is a virtuous discipline. This “eat your peas” approach to revenue generation ignores one important metric that ought to inform any request for a fare increase: performance. We know of few thriving enterprises that raise prices without corresponding performance improvements. While we acknowledge and appreciate the work this board and staff have done to reverse historic trends, performance has not met expectations, and much more must be done before we once again ask riders to bear the burden of a fare increase.

Moreover, fare policy cannot be approached on auto-pilot. Just because the MBTA can raise fares every two years doesn’t mean that it must do so. Decisions such as this ought to be carefully considered within a transparent framework informed by performance metrics and specific policy objectives, including equity, competitiveness and commitment to invest in strategic initiatives like Regional Rail and the Blue/Red connector.

We are convinced that raising fares without the prior commitment of the governor and legislature to raise TNC fees and the gas tax is bad policy. It is more than simply inequitable. It is fundamentally wrong- headed as a business plan as it exacerbates the public subsidy for vehicular travel and pushes more riders away from transit and rail and onto TNCs or private vehicles. This is bad policy, unsustainable and contrary to the Governor’s stated commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

TransitMatters also supports the other activists and civic leaders who are calling for a fare equity agenda that includes:

• Ending discussion of distance-based bus and subway fares, which have been shown to be regressive, as more residents are being priced out of housing close to job centers.

• Rezoning commuter rail fares so that all of Boston is included within Zone 1A and no municipality is split between multiple fare zones.

• Ensuring that AFC 2.0 fare vending machines are conveniently and strategically located for the maximum convenience of all riders.

Fare policy can no longer be developed and implemented by the MBTA in a vacuum, or without reference to the overarching goal of increasing ridership by moving toward a more equitable, reliable and sustainable system.We understand the challenges and complexities of running a large transit and rail system that suffers from decades of chronic disinvestment.Establishing policies that do not put the transit and rail network at a competitive disadvantage in an era where attractive mobility choices are more plentiful than at any time in history, requires the Secretary, the FMCB and MBTA leadership to rise to the occasion as never before. We hope that they will view this proposed fare increase as ill-advised and ill-timed.

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COVERAGE

Media Statement: Jarred Johnson to be first TransitMatters COO

BOSTON, February 19, 2019 — The TransitMatters Board is pleased to announce that Jarred Johnson will be the organization’s first Chief Operating Officer and Development Director.

Jarred comes to this position following service as Project Manager for the Codman Square
Neighborhood Development Corporation where he managed a variety of complex affordable
housing real estate projects and supported organizing efforts for better service on the Fairmount
Line. Before that, Jarred helped to start the “Love Your Block” mini-grant project and helped write
the City of Boston’s first Volunteer Plan as a part of the Civic Engagement Office. He also has a
wealth of grassroots organizing experience working on various presidential, state, and Cherokee
tribal races. Jarred joined TransitMatters as a volunteer member in the summer of 2015 and has
served on the Board since the fall of that year.

“We are all excited about having Jarred lead us into a new period of growth and strong, effective
technical advocacy,” said TransitMatters Board President Josh Fairchild. “Jarred’s commitment to
and passion for sustainable mobility in its fullest meaning, and his skill at drawing new people
and communities into transit advocacy will guide him well as he takes on this leadership role.”
“I’m really excited to continue my work with TransitMatters in this new role,” said Johnson. “We
have a lot on our plate – from advancing our vision of Regional Rail to securing transit
connectivity and better service for T riders across the region. I’m particularly interested in
growing our membership and increasing our focus on collaborating with other advocacy groups
who are doing great work in the region.”