South Shore Unites In Hingham To Voice Out Against MBTA Cuts

One by one, residents, business owners, and town officials from Hingham and all over the South Shore stood up in front of the Sanborn Auditorium in the  Hingham Town Hall to speak out against the MBTA’s proposed service cuts and fare hikes.

Mark Boyle, the T’s assistant general manager for development, told the hundreds in attendance that the proposed cuts result from the MBTA’ $161 million budget deficit and the increase in health care and utility costs.

Boyle explained the two proposals to address the budget gap. One proposal would limit a fare hike increase while cutting transit services. The nearby bus routes that would be eliminated would be North Weymouth, East Weymouth, Hingham Center and Hull.

The second scenario would limit cuts but include fare increases. Both plans call for the elimination of $3.7 million in subsidies to the ferries which upset the majority in attendance last night and people in the crowd booed when it was discussed.

Rep. Garrett Bradley, D-Hingham, stood up at the auditorium and showed the MBTA the more than 5,000 signatures he has received in support of the ferry service.

Bradley explained to the MBTA that cutting the ferry would put everyone back on the roadways. He also showed support for Hull saying the cuts would isolate the town-peninsula.

Weymouth Mayor Sue Kay showed outrage towards the MBTA explaining that the service on the South Shore is needed for the community to get to their jobs.

“Isn’t it all about jobs?... We as cities and towns have to balance our budgets and the MBTA is no exception,” Kay said.

The hundreds in attendance seemed to enjoy Hull Town Manager Philip Lemnios’ remarks the most.

Lemnios said if the MBTA cannot handle the ferry service, they shouldn’t run it.

“All the adults in the room think it’s (the ferry cuts) a dumb idea…It’s time for the Government and Legislators to step up and take control of the threat and lead,” Lemnios said.

State Senator Robert Hedlund, R-Weymouth, seemed very frustrated with the MBTA’s proposed ferry cuts. Hedlund said the state’s boat service is “not even close to its potential.”

“We ought to be moving in the other direction,” he said.

Hedlund said the MBTA is trained to run a bus and train service and that there was never a focus on the boats, pointing out that last Friday was MBTA General Manager Jon Davis’ first ever ride on the ferries.

“Don’t cause this great anxiety,” Hedlund told the MBTA. He pointed out the many people who came directly from work and who had not even eaten dinner yet.

He pointed out that while the ferry routes would disrupt hundreds of lives across the South Shore, the elimination of the Weymouth bus routes would also hurt a lot of lower class citizens who have addressed their concerns to him.

One by one local residents shared a story of how the elimination to the ferry service would affect their life

Dan Sullivan of Hull said he lives an environmentally friendly life and does not even own a car. Without the  ferry service he would have to buy a car and drive to work, he said.

Sam Manyon of Hingham said without the ferry service he would have to drive through the construction of the Neponset Bridge and Fore River Bridge just to get on the express way into Boston.

Dennis O’Connor of Hingham joked and said if the South Shore doesn’t take advantage of their water service. “We might as well live in Oklahoma,” he joked.

John Buick of Hingham like most in attendance showed concern for the area’s future.

“The Legislature must act this year to address the long-term financial crisis,” he said. “Now is the time to act. Kicking the can down the road is not acceptable… address your issues to Beacon Hill not the MBTA.”

The MBTA has also scheduled hearings for Feb. 15 at Quincy High School and March 7 at Hull’s Memorial Middle School.

A final decision on the MBTA changes will likely be made by April and the final decisions to the MBTA’s rate and service structure will not go into effect until July 1.