A History Of The MBTA's Woes

Boston has seen seven and a half feet of snow fall since January 23, and we're closing in on the most snow in one season in Boston's recorded history.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh announced Monday that the city's parking ban will remain in effect until further notice, so plows can continue to clear streets. That means plows are one of the few things on wheels actually operating on streets right now, because the MBTA is running limited service. The T has been completely shut down multiple times this season.

The T's problems this winter came as no surprise to many people, who say the system has been underfunded and inadequately maintained for years.

Here's Boston Mayor Marty Walsh speaking this morning:

"The MBTA situation goes a lot deeper than the snow we're having today, yesterday and the last month of snow storms." said the mayor. "Unfortunately for the T, I think it's been a perfect storm."

But the T's woes aren't caused by an act of God or nature, but rather, perhaps, by a literal act. A state law. An act of politics.

Jim Aloisi, former state transportation secretary. He tweets @JimAloisi.

Charlie Chieppo, research fellow at Harvard Kennedy School.

The Boston Globe: The MBTA’s Long, Winding, Infuriating Road To Failure

Cognoscenti: Amid The T's Crisis, Gov. Baker Is Showing His Management Style. It's Not Pretty.