BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Charlie Baker says the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority remains in “very tough shape” despite significant improvement under a special panel overseeing Boston’s transit system.
The Republican offered a detailed assessment of the MBTA on Wednesday, one year after the Fiscal Management and Control Board began its work. The board was created after a severe winter crippled the T and exposed widespread managerial and financial problems.
Baker says a lot has been done and a lot learned in the past year. He says the T has hired new leadership, reined in operating expenses, reduced overtime and absenteeism and taken initial steps to replace antiquated equipment.
But he says much more is needed, including new contracting procedures, greater capital investment and an overhaul of an employee pension system in “freefall.”
Since the #MBTA’s Fiscal & Management Control Board was created, we’ve learned a lot and done a lot. But much more remains to be done.
— Charlie Baker (@MAGovArchive) July 20, 2016
Our #MBTA panel did not say is that the T was underfunded. It wasn’t. It isn’t. It won’t be. It was poorly led & horribly managed.
— Charlie Baker (@MAGovArchive) July 20, 2016
#MBTA operating expenses had gone up 5% per year for the past 15 years; for the 1st time in 20 years, it flatlined this past year.
— Charlie Baker (@MAGovArchive) July 20, 2016
For the next five years, the #MBTA will double the $$ it spends on signals, switches, tracks, power systems, cabling, trains & buses.
— Charlie Baker (@MAGovArchive) July 20, 2016
For the first 1/2 of '16, operator absenteeism is down ~25% & overtime expense is down >30%. Weekday dropped bus trips are down a 1/3. #MBTA
— Charlie Baker (@MAGovArchive) July 20, 2016
The #MBTA is being managed. New leadership is in place. A new GM, Chief Admin, COO, CFO & CPO. There is a CTO for the first time ever.
— Charlie Baker (@MAGovArchive) July 20, 2016
The #MBTA is being governed by the hardest working volunteers in state gov't that has met 52 times in the glare of the public & media. #FMCB
— Charlie Baker (@MAGovArchive) July 20, 2016
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