Deval Patrick says he ‘can’t see how’ to fix T finance problems without revenue hike
Governor Deval Patrick said today he cannot envision a scenario for fixing the MBTA’s financing problems long term that doesn’t include new revenues from a gas tax increase or some other fix.
“I can’t see how you do that,’’ the Democrat said this morning during his monthly appearance on WTKK-FM. It is his most extensive interview each month.
Under a budget balancing plan announced Wednesday, a trip on the subway would cost many riders an extra 30 cents, bus fares would climb 25 cents, and some commuter rail tickets could exceed $10 for the first time.
While widespread service cuts were largely avoided, weekend service would vanish on three commuter rail lines – two on the South Shore – and four bus routes would be eliminated.
During the interview, Patrick emphasized that the fare hikes and service cuts likely to start July 1 create a one-year fix for a $185 million budget shortfall. But next year’s gap could exceed $50 million, and heavy debt from the Big Dig project has left the T with a structural debt running into the billions.
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