Bradley Encourages Commuters To Engage With MBTA

Angry Hingham residents have been encouraged to make their voices heard at a series of public hearings being held by the MBTA following the announcement that the public transport operator is considering some severe cutbacks in South Shore service.

A document released earlier this week known as Fare Proposal set out two scenarios aimed at helping to combat a growing financial crisis at the MBTA. These included fare increases, a reduction in bus services, a reduced commuter rail schedule and the proposed elimination of all ferry services on the South Shore.

On Saturday morning a public meeting was hosted by the Board of Selectmen at Town Hall to discuss the issues and residents were invited to make their feelings known over coffee and bagels.

Representative Garrett Bradley (D-Hingham) was present at the meeting and he was able to advise the room that he had already had a conversation with Jonathon Davis, Acting MBTA General Manager and MassDOT Rail & Transit Administrator, to highlight his concerns about the Fare Proposal.

“The important thing is to make sure that we’re informed and that we take part in the process,” said Bradley. “This could be a situation where the squeaky wheel gets some grease. This isn’t an issue directed at us on the South Shore with our commuter boats but it feels that way. In the rest of the state when they talk about cuts it is across a spectrum of communities that are served by either bus or rail. It isn’t direct like it is here.”

The MBTA has invested heavily in the South Shore in recent years, including the establishment of the Greenbush commuter rail service, a new pier at Hull and an estimated $2 million to increase the parking at the Hingham ferry terminal. There are also advanced plans to build an Intermodal Center at the Hingham Shipyard allowing commuters to move seamlessly between buses and ferry services, which would seem to be under threat if the proposals by the MBTA are implemented. 

“I can’t fathom state government walking away from the investments already made in Hingham and Hull,” Bradley said. He stressed that the public needs to be constructive in voicing their opinions and comments, adding that Governor Patrick is “well aware of the South Shore concerns.”

“We need to have these conversations, if you have suggestions then submit them,” said Bradley. “We need to tell the MBTA what works and what doesn’t. The public needs to be engaged, offer suggestions and go to the meetings.”

The MBTA are looking to save $38.3 million in operating costs through Fare Proposal, of which $3.7 million would come from the elimination of all ferry services. With plans advancing to start replacement work on the Fore River Bridge, South Shore residents could find themselves facing a difficult commute into Boston if public transport options are slashed but Bradley would be “very surprised if all of a sudden the boat stopped running.”

“We’ve seen this movie before,” Bradley said. “I think we’re going to see a conversation about revenue, cuts and where do we go from here. My question is why are we back in the same situation a few years later? This is the start of the process, they can’t eliminate the boat but they can eliminate the subsidy. The MBTA has a problem and they need to get to a resolution.”

Regional Public hearings regarding Fare Proposal, which will include MBTA Board members,  will begin on January 17. The MBTA will hold a public hearing at the Hingham Town Hall on Feb. 8.  Hingham residents are welcome to attend any of these meetings to voice their concerns.