Letter to The Honorable Stephanie Pollack and Mr. Brian Shortsleeve - Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Letter

We write to you to express our concern over reports that the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is considering eliminating weekend commuter rail service as well as door-to-door service for seniors and people with disabilities in an effort to reduce operating costs. While we share your commitment to improving the MBTA, such cuts would leave some of the most vulnerable residents of the Commonwealth without access to transportation, and may drive people away from using our commuter rail system in the future.

Thousands of Massachusetts people use the commuter rail each weekend, even though it operates less frequently than weekdays. In addition to benefiting tourist, recreation and hospitality businesses throughout the Commonwealth, many weekend commuters need reliable service to get to work, medical appointments, and to connect with loved ones. Many of these travelers have no other options to get where they need to go.

The U.S. Census Bureau found that our state has the sixth highest level of income inequality in the nation. According to a Harvard University study, commuting time is the number one determinant of social mobility. Our commuter rail system should be enhancing access to economic opportunity -- the cuts you are considering would do the exact opposite.

We agree that it is essential to that the MBTA finds a fiscally responsible path forward. However, we cannot ignore the potential effect eliminating weekend commuter service will have on generating passenger revenues. Data shows that ridership grows when transit service is reliable and more frequent. In fact, today many systems in Europe and Canada are increasing off-peak and weekend services for this very reason.

To be clear, of course everyone understands the need to temporarily close systems down for repairs and improvements. That reason for a closure, accompanied by adequate notice and rapid completion, is necessary and appropriate regardless of the temporary inconvenience.

We share your commitment to ensuring that the residents of Massachusetts have access to a safe and reliable commuter rail service. It is in that spirit we ask that you to consider what other options are available to save money for the MBTA moving forward. We stand ready to assist you in any way we can.

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