In light of a recent report detailing the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s increasing financial woes and pressing safety concerns on its subway system, many Boston University students said they would be willing to pay a higher fare if it would help make the T safer.
The independent review, ordered by Gov. Deval Patrick and published in The Boston Globe Nov. 3, found that more than 50 hazardous construction projects had been left unattended or incomplete, such as the unfinished repair of a water leak on the Red Line, where there have been multiple track fires in the past weeks.
These works in progress have been classified as ‘danger[s] to life or limb.’ They had not been completed because of the MBTA’s rising debt, according to the report.
The MBTA’s debt is so great that ‘if it were a private company, it would likely fold or seek bankruptcy,’ the report stated.
Apart from extensive debt, the report stated rising operating and fuel costs have led the MBTA to neglect rider safety.
Former John Hancock CEO David D’Alessandro, who led the review, said the MBTA needed to fix its safety and maintenance problems before expanding further.
‘It’s fair to say that they are not keeping up with the safety standards that they themselves subscribe to,’ he told The Boston Globe after the report came out.
Acting MBTA General Manager William Mitchell said in a statement that the agency is doing its best to improve safety conditions since the report’s release.
‘My top concern is always the safety of those who rely on the T,’ he said. ‘I immediately dispatched work crews to inspect areas identified in the report.’
Mitchell said in the statement he will do all he can to keep the public apprised of progress.
‘I pledge that our team will do all we can to make sure riders see positive improvements in the days and weeks ahead,’ he said.
Students said they are now concerned with the safety of the T and wouldn’t mind paying a more expensive fare if it would mean safer and more efficient transportation.
‘ ‘I think the price of the T is pretty ridiculous, but I’d rather pay three bucks than have a train derail,’ College of Arts and Sciences sophomore Carol Guerrero said.
CAS junior Rizwana Seeham agreed.
‘Even if I don’t ride the Red Line, if it’s going to help get rid of those kinds of concerns, I wouldn’t mind a fare increase,’ she said. ‘I might not ride that line often, but one of my friends or family members could be riding it.’
Others were not so worried by the safety issues.
‘ ‘I love the T,’ Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences sophomore Katrina Trisko said. ‘It takes me where I need to go when I need to get there.’
College of Engineering sophomore Preetika Vishwanathan said she is concerned with the MBTA’s efficiency.
‘ ‘Every time I ride it, I have to accept that I might be late to wherever I need to be,’ she said. ‘I trust the T enough to keep me safe. What I really want is to be at my appointments on time.’
Mitchell emphasized in his statement that there are no immediate plans to increase fares in order to pay for system maintenance and updates, which Seeham said did not make sense.
‘If they don’t have the money to operate, they shouldn’t be kidding themselves with saying there’s no need to raise fares,’ she said.
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‘Every time I ride it, I have to accept that I might be late to wherever I need to be,’ she said. ‘I trust the T enough to keep me safe. What I really want is to be at my appointments on time.'<p/>The unpredictability of the T is the reason I walk unless the distance is so great I am forced to use the subway (or set aside an hour to walk to my destination, which is not feasible). I agree that the T is very expensive, and I do not trust its ability to arrive on time.