Former Transportation Chief: The T's Troubles
April 27, 2012
The Red Line. (ockam/Flickr)
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Fred Salvucci headed the state transportation department under two governors. He rode the #1 bus with WGBH's Bob Seay and gave his take on what's wrong with the MBTA and how to fix it. Their conversation, in five parts:
Monday
Salvucci: "We're in quite bad shape."
Tuesday
"There's an understandable reluctance to increase the gas tax, in Springfield, to pay for Boston's bills."
Wednesday
"I don't think failure is an option here. There's just too much at stake."
Thursday
"We need to walk and chew gum at the same time — we need frequency and quality."
Friday
"It will take a lot of leadership. We've seen it in Mass. before."
WGBH NEWS FOCUS: THE MBTA
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About WGBH News Focus: The MBTA
Love it, like it or lump it, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority touches nearly everyone's lives in eastern Mass. And it's in financial crisis, with newly announced fare hikes not enough to cover next year's projected $100 million budget deficit. WGBH News features special focus coverage of the tracks and troubles of our public transit system.
About the Author
"If I Ran the T ..."
Everyone who's ever rode on the T has an opinion about what problem they'd change first. If you were in charge, where would you start? Let us know.
The Fare and Service Plan
On July 1, the T will introduce fare increases and service cuts to cover a $159 million budget gap for the next fiscal year. Read the plan on mbta.com.
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