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At the Worcester “hearing” on @MBTA_CR cost increase, where we have just learned that there is no presentation, no Q&A, no actual testimony being taken...but you can write them a note! @FramWorMBTA 
This is very very not okay. I could write the MBTA from home.
Current scene: riders talking to each other. Handful of @MBTA_CR employees loudly defending number of locomotives. Handful of press capturing irritated riders.
I literally gave up dinner to be here.
Sorry had to stop tweeting to help move a table with @DavidLeBoeuf...the delegation has decided there WILL be a hearing, after all
And this is the General Manager who @RepJimODay has declared WILL take our testimony and questions.
(Also my Senator, @Sen_Chandler is here)
First comment is “we don’t know where this is coming from” as it is beyond raises received by people
“without any sort of insight into how you plan to discuss efficiency”
Issue with the way you keep your data
Issue with the way you keep your data
No breakdown of each and every train data; look at making that information available
Prorated reimbursement system
“When you’re 70% reliable, I’m 70% reliable.”
From @Sen_Chandler: reliable service comes from reliable funding...offloading costs to customers is just not fair.
Worried about traffic and worried about parking; putting more people where you don’t want to have them.
Believe a $25 round trip is already high
(@SteveFoskettTG notes contrast with mellow jazz playing over sound system)
Someone who serves with those with disabilities, will put undue pressure on those folks
They have no choice but to take public transportation
They have no choice but to take public transportation
Hourly employee who yesterday was two hours late for work
“It seems that every time it drops below a certain temperature” this happens
“It seems that every time it drops below a certain temperature” this happens
Hourly employees losing pay sitting on broken and late trains
GM talking about taking least reliable locomotives out of service
To Q from @Sen_Chandler, those are not necessarily on Worcester line
“Nothing is free”
THIS IS NOT THE THING TO TELL US TONIGHT
THIS IS NOT THE THING TO TELL US TONIGHT
“a whole bunch of cost” associated with buying electric locomotives
“You’re talking about twenty years; we are sitting on these trains today.”
“Don’t tell me that the train’s on time when it hasn’t left the station.”
Another person notes that fares are NOT ALWAYS COLLECTED (true!)
We appear to be bringing back the notion of gates or the like rather than on board checking
GM thinks that “would be a useful step”
Ha! @Sen_Chandler “do you do these reforms first” or change them first?
People want a comfortable reliable experience; to the extent that is provided, people will take that.
“What will you do immediately to improve service?”
GM says “that is difficult to answer”
GM says “that is difficult to answer”
Interesting Q if GM plans to have job long term. He can’t say.
GM says your experience on your last couple of trips is your experience.
Q on strategic vision of state and federal funds.
T has limited number of things available. Not a lot of federal funds.
5 yr $8B capital plan
5 yr $8B capital plan
Most to repairing existing system rather than expanding it
Have variety of funding streams; do receive one cent of sales tax
(Worcester rider)
This could have been better organized if the MBTA were actually concerned about our input; it feels as though it is not.
This could have been better organized if the MBTA were actually concerned about our input; it feels as though it is not.
Increase is going to make it impossible for some to make this work, was even said by your own Board
Elevating platform at all stations to open all doors
Q: eliminating cash?
Yes, on board but still at fare vending machines; will integrate with Charliecard
Yes, on board but still at fare vending machines; will integrate with Charliecard
“I love commuting by train...I don’t look at raising money until I find an efficient way of getting the money that is due me.”
He saves money by not getting monthly pass because of how often it is not collected. Says it averages to one night a week
And T has no idea how many riders there are. Happens more often closely into city
Note from @SenMikeMoore that he raises this years ago and that is YEARS of fares that are missed.
Thus we are back to gates again
Installing automatic people counters
“You’re degrading and insulting us by raising rates...when you are losing millions of dollars right now”
It’s bad business practice.
Complaint on lack of communication.
“We’re losing people because it is not sustainable”
People don’t want to be on the Mass Pike anymore; it’s quality of life.
Rep @MaryKeefeMA asks where other meetings were (and particularly how many were zone 8 or farther out)
A is...this one...
“The reality is that I can’t walk into work at 9:45 in the morning...it is a really long day” due to have to taking unnecessarily early train to be sure we get there.
Request from Councilor King that reliable measures of Worcester trains be shared; asks for next steps.
Board will vote on preliminary budget on Monday; meeting starts at 12 at 10 Park Plaza
Advisory board reviews and comments, returns to Board, must pass by April 15
Note from @SenMikeMoore that they weren’t even going to have a real hearing
“People live here because they can’t live closer.”
“There was no even attempt to hear from central Mass” until the legislators insisted on it
GM says $32M comes off operating budget if the fare increase doesn’t go through
Q as to what is driving the cost?
GM trying to cite from memory: pension, contract w/ @KeolisBoston, services beyond what was in contract
GM trying to cite from memory: pension, contract w/ @KeolisBoston, services beyond what was in contract
Comment was that capital was separate
Q from @MaryKeefeMA on why they can’t make @KeolisBoston hire more conductors (pointed out you could make the money back!)
Comment that trying to get more people to use the train particularly for those who are on fixed incomes and the like, increase isn’t fair
Q on MBTA trying to make money other ways
“responsibility to shake every tree” says GM
And @DavidLeBoeuf mentions Wellesley’s four stops!
“A real regional equity issue”
@Sen_Chandler calls the setup “disgraceful”
Was not going to be a hearing at all out here, then wasn’t going to be a real hearing
Was not going to be a hearing at all out here, then wasn’t going to be a real hearing
Comment that T didn’t try to figure out how to get people pay the right way
“Is there even any rough estimate on how much it would cost if everyone paid?”
“The fact that you’re operating without that data is shocking.”
Another: “I am not living in zone 8 by choice; I am living in zone 8 because I can’t afford to live closer.”
A flat percent increase is more actual dollars for those who pay more
(And I threw the Big Dig payment, climate change, a gas tax, Uber and Lyft in there. Gave it my best, Fram/Worc types)
Comment that if quality of life would improve, would be less opposition to increase
@SenMikeMoore asks about quality of service
“You’ve got to look at another avenue than this fare increase.”
And that is a wrap. Do note that the Worcester delegation was there throughout, so h/t to them all.
The vote, as above, is Monday. /fin
The vote, as above, is Monday. /fin
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