Senate Amendment Blocks Unprofitable Transportation Projects

In a spirited debate on the Senate floor Thursday afternoon, the Senate undertook a $130 million appropriations bill which included an amendment to prevent the MBTA from expanding capital projects which operate at a fiscal deficit.  Passing by a vote of 31-3, the amendment calls on the MBTA to conduct a cost analysis prior to any rail service expansion and not proceed in the event that the analysis shows the expansion is deemed unprofitable.

A copy of the amendment is attached to this article.  

This amendment comes amid a series of public meetings on p, disclosed by the Department of Transportation earlier this month.  The MBTA is asking for a 43% increase in fares to address a $161 million budget gap in the fiscal year beginning July 1. 

“This is an extremely important issue to Walpole and for the Commonwealth as a whole,” said Senator Timilty in a press statement.  “I share the concerns of an overwhelming number of constituents who have contacted me for months now, urging that we act appropriately on this matter.  This is an issue of fiscal prudence and it has to happen in a timely manner so that we do not add another generation of debt to our public transportation system.”

Recent public dialogue has also centered on the topic of commuter rail expansion to the Town of Foxborough, a proposal which both state and local officials have opposed. 

Earlier this year, Mirick O’Connell, a private law firm representing many New England private and public corporations, commissioned a study to evaluate the feasibility of expanding rail transit to the southwest region of the I-495 corridor.  The findings of the study projected an annual operating deficit of $1.4 million simply for this service to Foxborough. 

The amendment, sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), will be sent back to the House of Representative for their approval.