The Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Court State House, Boston, MA 02133-1054

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts General Court State House, Boston, MA 02133-1054 April 9th, 2019 MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board State Transportation Building 10 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116 Dear Chairman Aiello and members of the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board, We are writing to seek a response to our concerns surrounding the intersection of the MBTA’s July 1st fare increases and the Tobin Bridge repair project and related construction along U.S. Route 1. The two-year repair process, consisting of steel replacement on the bridge’s lower deck, repaving of the upper deck, and various structural improvements to entrance and exit ramps is substantial. MassDOT has advised that commuters can expect increased traffic and a shift in traditional patterns of congestion and delays. These delays will most severely affect commuters from Northeastern Massachusetts, whose commute into Boston filters through the Tobin Bridge and surrounding roadways. Thus, it is reasonable to believe that many of these commuters will look to public transportation options including Park and Ride, commuter rail, and suburban light rail systems to ease their already substantial commute. MassDOT has made it a point to advise affected commuters about public transportation options such as increased Blue Line Service and use of the Newburyport-Rockport Commuter Rail line. However fare increases beginning July 1st, 2019 have not been included in these statements. Creating a situation requiring commuters from Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex Counties to rely on public transportation, and then immediately applying a higher rate structure on relevant transportation services is a course of action that is inconvenient, imprudent, and unfair. We respect the stated goal of the Fiscal and Management Control Board to devise an own-source revenue policy that makes the MBTA a more financially solvent, structurally efficient, and sustainable method of transportation for all residents of Eastern Massachusetts. In isolation, these fare increases could contribute towards that stated goal. However, the fare increases must be considered in the context of the current realities of our transportation system and its impact on commuters. The dual burden of increased commute times and increased cost of public transportation intended to provide a potential alternatives for commuters creates a significant dilemma for residents of Northeastern Massachusetts. Fairness dictates that for the duration of the Tobin Bridge and Route 1 Repair Project, affected commuters deserve relief rather than increased burdens. Keeping these considerations in mind, we respectfully request the Fiscal and Management Control Board to delay the implementation of the impending fare increases (Currently set to occur on July 1st, 2019) until after the completion of the Tobin Bridge and Route 1 Repair Project. In doing so, we can continue to support commuters in Eastern Massachusetts, without creating undue burdens on those already affected by the substantial logistical challenges the Tobin Bridge and Route 1 Repair Project will undoubtedly create. Sincerely, BRUCE TARR SAL DIDOMENICO BARRY FINEGOLD State Senator, Minority Leader State Senator State Senator First Essex and Middlesex Middlesex and Suffolk Second Essex and Middlesex JOAN LOVELY REBECCA RAUSCH BRENDAN CRIGHTON State Senator State Senator State Senator Second Essex Norfolk, Bristol, and Middlesex Third Essex DEAN TRAN PAUL BRODEUR DANIEL CAHILL State Senator State Representative State Representative Worcester and Middlesex Thirty-Second Middlesex Tenth Essex DIANA DIZOGLIO PETER CAPANO MIKE CONNOLLY State Senator State Representative State Representative First Essex Eleventh Essex Twenty-Sixth Middlesex CHRISTINA MINICUCCI LENNY MIRRA TRAM NGUYEN State Representative State Representative State Representative Fourteenth Essex Second Essex Eighteenth Essex JERALD PARISELLA DAVID ROBERTSON THEODORE SPELIOTIS State Representative State Representative State Representative Sixth Essex Nineteenth Middlesex Thirteenth Essex JAMES KELCOURSE JACK LEWIS LORI EHRLICH State Representative State Representative State Representative First Essex Seventh Middlesex Eighth Essex ANN-MARGARET FERRANTE KENNETH GORDON TAMI GOUVEIA State Representative State Representative State Representative Fifth Essex Twenty-First Middlesex Fourteenth Middlesex ANDREAS VARGAS BRADFORD HILL STEVEN ULTRINO State Representative State Representative State Representative Third Essex Fourth Essex Thirty-Third Middlesex CINDY FRIEDMAN THOMAS WALSH DONALD WONG State Senator State Representative State Representative Fourth Middlesex Twelfth Essex Ninth Essex .

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