Selectmen Oppose 'Drastic' MBTA Cuts

A recent MBTA proposal to increase fares, cut local bus service and limit the availability of transportation for the disabled has prompted the to reach out to state officials and call upon local residents to attend two upcoming hearings.

At their meeting at Thursday night, board members heard from MBTA Advisory Committee member John Heffernan, who detailed what he called "drastic cuts" to bus service in Marblehead.

"The MBTA is in some pretty bad financial trouble and has been for quite a while now," Heffernan said. "There are proposed fare increases, but I think the main thing we should be concerned about is the service cuts."

According to Heffernan, scenarios presented by the MBTA included the "elimination" of bus service to Marblehead; cuts to "The Ride," which provides door-to door transportation for those with physical, cognitive or mental disabilities; and ending rail service from Boston's North Station at 10 p.m.

Those most impacted by the proposed cuts, Heffernan said, would include the elderly, workers who commute to town from bordering communities, fans attending professional sporting events in Boston and local students who use the MBTA buses to attend and . 

"I stand at Rockaway and Humphrey every morning and there are a lot of people who are out there waiting for that bus," Heffernan said.

Following Heffernan's presentation, board members unanimously approved a motion to send letters to state Rep. Lori Ehlrich (D-Marblehead) and state Sen. Thomas McGee (D-Lynn) requesting their support.

Board member Judith Jacobi, who said she was "very upset" by the proposed cuts in bus service, went on to encourage local residents to attend two upcoming MBTA hearings in Salem and Lynn.

"I remember that Marblehead was very well-represented at the MBTA hearings in 2006 and I think (MBTA officials) really did listen," Jacobi said.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Salem's City Hall Annex at 6 p.m.
• Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Lynn City Hall at 6 p.m.

"I understand some of the fare increases - that part of it I can deal with. But a reduction in service would be a huge disadvantage to our community," Jacobi said.

According to a press release issued by the MBTA in December, the authority is facing a $161 million budget gap in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

After some 20 upcoming public hearings, the MBTA is expected to have a final recommendation ready in March; a board vote is scheduled for sometime in April; and the implementation of any approved changes will take place in July.