As negotiations continue...

I am delighted to see that so many people have shown up at the MBTA's town halls to voice their opinions about the upcoming fare hikes/service cuts (or T 2.0, as we will call it from now on).  It appears that most of the attendees have voiced strong opposition to 2.0, which does not surprise me.  Those who are most affected are most likely to show up, while those in favor of the T's plan don't want to risk their lives.

But there's a harsh reality that we need to look at: the T doesn't have any money.  It's running a $166m deficit and has a ton of debt.  One woman at a town hall called for "creative solutions."  Give me a break.  You don't think they've been looking for ways to get every penny out of costs?  Heck, they even opened a store to sell T memorabilia.  They're desperate.  With the sales tax not generating what the state expected, the state simply doesn't have the money to give to the T.  It isn't there.  It sucks, but it's the reality.

The cost side of the equation isn't changing.  I don't see the workers rushing to give back salary increases or benefits.  They already got hit with a switch to a cheaper health care plan.  Energy isn't coming down.  Repairs certainly won't get cheaper.  You get the point.

Personally, I'd rather see fare increases than service cuts.  We owe it to each other to maintain services for those who need it the most.  Those are often the people who live farthest from the city and would face the biggest cuts.  Likewise, shutting down several lines on the weekends is a non-starter.  The downtown economy is bad enough on the weekends; Let's not keep the students away.

If the American political system is any indicator, we're going to see half the cuts we need that will make nobody happy but still leave a significant budget deficit.  Hopefully, it won't come to that, since I don't want to be having this same conversation three years from now.

The solution won't make anybody happy but it will make for a financially stronger MBTA.  And frankly, we don't have a choice.  Routes will get consolidated, schedules will get cut back and fares will go up.  I'm still in favor of subsidizing those who need help.  But we have to accept the fact that somebody needs to be the adult around here.

Goofus and Gallant

Goofus: The T driver who refused to open the door at Government Center, no matter how long I knocked on the door of the stopped train.  Nice, thanks.  Way to win the hearts and minds of your customers with budget cuts looming.

Gallant: The teenager standing next to me who was able to discuss the health care insurance industry in-depth.  Wow, an amazing amount of knowledge for a kid.  He also spoke about the problems the T is facing and mentioned one of the solutions that we have, namely, raising fares while subsidizing those who cannot afford them.

Wear some #$%&! headphones

I don't care whether you are 3, 30 or 300.  If you have a portable device, iPad, Gameboy, etc., wear some headphones.  I don't need to hear your freakin' Q-bert game halfway across the train.

Apparently, it gets cold in Boston in the winter...

The MBTA ended up apologizing for some heavy delays on the Red Line yesterday and boy, are their faces, well, red.  Apparently, they were affected by the cold weather.  Funny, we do get that occasionally in Boston.  It's okay, I understand; I spent much of the morning stuck in a disabled Green Line train.  See, Red Liners, now you know how we feel every day.  Boston.com has  the article here.  As the article points out, many of the financial problems lie as much with the government as with the MBTA (Try not to be shocked.).  The T is responsible for its own books, but the government forces it to take on unprofitable routes.  Kinda sounds like the post office except, instead of delivering letters, it delivers people.

Question of the day: The woman standing next to me asked a friend why the stops' names aren't announced by an automated system like they are in DC.  You know, so you can actually understand the conductor.  Anyone know why this is?

Oh, and to the people on my train who did not stand up for the elderly gentleman with the cane, you are all jerks.

The time has come: The MBTA is finally examining fare increases

That staple of Green Line reading, The Metro, wrote that the MBTA is finally examining fare increases and service cutbacks.  Well, it's about freakin' time.  For those not acquainted with Business 101, see the following:

Revenues-Expenses=What's left

No, I do not view the T as a profit entity, but it has to be more self sustaining.  Unless the employees take a pay cut or maintenance expenses magically disappear, neither of which is likely, expenses will stay where they are (more on that later).  Revenues come from a variety of sources, but the main ones are the government and fares, in that order (government=taxes).  Let's not kid ourselves that the government has any more money to give, meaning that fares are next.

According to The Metro, the T is considering some pretty massive increases.  Charlie Card rides could go from $1.70 to as high as $2.40, while individual tickets could go from $2 to $3.  Bus rides could see increases from $1.25 to $1.75, while parking could be up almost 30%.  All of these depend on which plan is chosen.

Expenses: Since the only way to eliminate expenses is to eliminate trains, that's what the T is discussing.  The big ones would be weekend elimination of the E train on the Green line and weekend Commuter Rails.  Northeastern students (and downtown bars), you're kinda screwed.

The good news is that not all of the above is going to happen.  Like any good negotiation, the MBTA is putting out the most radical proposal so, when it comes in better, everyone can breathe a sigh of relief.  We will likely see 30%ish fare increases, putting the Charlie Card ride at $2.25.  Parking will see similar increases, while the E train and weekend Commuter Rail services will see cutbacks, but not eliminations.

Here's a suggestion: Use the funds to hire a few people to enforce fare evaders at the biggest stations.  Government Center, Park Street and the airport all stand out.  Seriously, there always seems to be an open gate and no employees at those stations.

Oh, and to the guy who was quoted as saying that he would walk rather than ride the T if fares went up, you're an idiot.  You don't get something for nothing, even with tax dollars.

Do me a favor: I'm checking something here, so if you see an ad to the right, please click it and leave it open for 5-10 seconds.  Thank you.