The MBTA held a virtual outreach meeting to get feedback from South Shore residents on plans to eliminate or reduce services due to low ridership.
More than 400 people joined the meeting, which included testimony from legislators, commuters, and residents. Many are hoping for a compromise, rather than the elimination of service.
The MBTA is facing a $580 million deficit due to the COVID-19 pandemic and reduced fare collection. The plans include the suspension of the Hingham/Hull ferry service, 714 bus, and the closure of the Plymouth Commuter Rail Station.
“I love my commute, not a lot of people can say that, and I’ve been fortunate in that way,” said Hull resident Kiley Clapper. She was concerned that people living near the Hull Peninsula would be stranded.
“It’s something that I rely on. Other people, especially if you eliminate the 714 [bus] will have absolutely have no service. These are people who don’t have cars, who rely on public transportation,” said Clapper. “There has been a lot of talk too that this is the time to invest in our resources, in our community, transit, and be mindful of the environment.”
State Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack says the MBTA is considering the cost and alternate options with reduced service, rather than elimination. The goal is to save money during the pandemic.
“These are not permanent service cuts,” said Pollack. “There is no intention of cutting service forever and not bringing it back. Service will come back when revenue and ridership support bringing service back.”
State Senator Susan Moran, who represents the Plymouth/Barnstable district, says that transit-oriented developments will be key to economic recovery.
“While there is a temporary reduction in ridership across the board due to COVID, people being unemployed, working remotely, we must remember that it’s in large part our front-line essential workers who rely on public transportation,” said Moran. “The MBTA is a public service and not meant to be economically self-sustaining. We should not be putting the burden of added commuting costs, parking, and traffic on our neighbors.”
She said development along Cordage Park 40-R district in Plymouth includes retail and commercial components. A major boost was expected in town with the Plymouth 400 Celebration.
“We all understand that you have to cut. We all understand that the Plymouth station has very low ridership at this point,” said State Rep. Matt Muratore. “As Senator Moran said, it’s a 40-R project that was based on the train station being there. We’re concerned if the train station does close, where’s the guarantee that it can open back up again?”
Recent development projects in Scituate, Cohasset, and Hull have been planned around transit. The Hingham Shipyard includes residents, some essential workers, who chose to move there because of the ferry service.
U.S. Congressman Stephen Lynch urged the MBTA to hold off on making cuts – the $1.5 trillion dollar HEROES Act for federal aid is pending in the Senate.
“There’s every indication that we will have resources that would make a lot of these cuts unnecessary in the first place,” said Lynch. “The second is on timing, especially with respect to the ferry, which is near and dear to my heart and serves a big part of my district.”
He said the MBTA is maintaining service until March, the proposals would cut service after that point. It’s a mismatch to current low ridership levels.
Hull Town Manager Phil Lemnios agreed, and asked if the MBTA could postpone a vote on the cuts.
“One thing that has broken in the last couple of days is the fact that we now have three major pharmaceutical companies that are in the final stages for vaccine approval,” said Lemnios. “It looks like that timeframe… between now and May is a really important timeframe of quickly our economy and perhaps the return of certain habits are going to come into focus.”
The MBTA is planning to vote on the proposed cuts in December.
People can submit feedback to MBTA.com/forgingahead .
