Funding Questions Remain As MBTA Prepares Budget

By The Associated Press April 9, 2013 Updated Apr 10, 6:38 am

BOSTON — The MBTA’s board is considering a proposed budget even as lawmakers and Gov. Deval Patrick continue squabbling over a transportation funding bill.

The T’s spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1 banks on some agreement being reached for the state to assume the transit system’s $118 million deficit. But it also includes contingencies should that not happen.

The backup plan includes using nearly $78 million in one-time revenues to help close the gap, including $48 million in federal funds that would be diverted from preventative maintenance and a $13 million surplus from the current year that would otherwise go toward paying debt.

MBTA officials say the remainder of the deficit would have to be covered by fare hikes and or service cuts.

The board is scheduled to vote on the budget Wednesday.

OURSTATEPARKS

Everyone who thinks the money will go directly to transportation
please raise your hands…Buhler? Buhler? Anyone?

Truth: Patrick’s failed initiatives need a 1.9B dollar bailout!

Life sciences center, Green Communities, Gateway Communities,
Big Data Initiative, Commonwealth Health, Health Connector, Office of Travel
& Tourism, Technology Collaborative, Clean Energy Center, Big Data
Consortium, Green High Performance Computing Center…ETC ETC.

Patriot’s Day Weekend – Nickerson State Park – NO CAMPING – CLOSED!! If they can’t provide the basics…how can they justify giving them more???
X-Ray

Why should statewide taxes be used to bail out the MBTA? Tax those in the
MBTA service area or raise fares of the riders. Why should the state subsidize
the Boston transit systems; there are enough wealthy in the service area to
support them, if that is necessary. With outside support, there is no motivation
for the MBTA to operate efficiently.
dust truck

Besides, doesn’t the MBTA have the cheapest fares in the nation for a light-rail system? I still don’t get why so many people get upset at the thought of fare hikes. The T should charge more!