Advisory Board recommendations

Well, let's add another bit of complexity to the situation.  The MBTA Advisory Board issued a set of recommendations that included a nice little mix of pain.  It was happy to absolve the T of a number of responsibilities, including the transit police and ferries, while pushing some of the costs on others elsewhere.  That would take care of just over 40% of the budget.  Another 45% or so would come from a 25% fare hike, which is unpopular, but necessary.  The final 15% would be "a little of this and a little of that," including a $.50 surcharge on event tickets and wage freezes for MBTA employees (Welcome to our world, guys!) and a few million bucks from local institutions and advertising.

I guess this proposal is good, at least from the point of view of the MBTA.  It minimizes the increase in fares while maintaining virtually all current routes.  Of course, if you are a Massachusetts taxpayer that doesn't benefit from the T, you're kinda screwed.  Furthermore, what happens the following year when expenses spike or employees want raises?  I really hope the band-aid holds, since I don't want to see the pain if we need stitches.