Eroded trust sparks skepticism of Ts service restoration – Boston Herald

As one would expect, people are not happy over the MBTAs planned service cuts.

These temporary measures, taken as ridership and revenue have plummeted due to the coronavirus pandemic, include curtailing commuter-rail schedules, shutting down subways early, eliminating bus routes and halting ferry service.

Whats also not surprising is that people dont believe the moves are temporary.

As the State House News Service reported, a MassINC Polling Group survey found that 64% of people somewhat or strongly oppose the cuts in service proposed by the MBTA. If eliminated, 54% said they didnt think the services would be restored after the COVID-19 pandemic abates and workplaces fully reopen.

Can you blame them the cynical view? In recent years, riders have experienced a winter of hellacious delays and disruptions on the Red Line, a series of Green Line derailments and the JFK/UMass incident, which threw Red Line commutes off kilter for months. Public trust has stalled.

MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak defended the cuts, deeming them necessary. The vast majority of MBTA service will continue, the proposed service changes are not permanent, and the MBTA will periodically realign service as feasible to match current and future ridership patterns when durable revenue is available for pay for such service, Poftak said.

The problem is, as much as one may dislike the MBTA cuts, they are the best option to keep the agency operating. According to the T, subway ridership is about 24% of its pre-COVID volume, buses see 41% of their former ridership, the commuter rail is seeing approximately 13% of its pre-COVID traffic, and ferry ridership is approximately 12% of its pre-pandemic volume averaging seven passengers per boat.

None of that is good, and something must be done. If it isnt cuts, then Bay State wallets would have to open.

This poll fails to measure public support for the question that is actually at hand should taxes be increased in order to operate a transit system that has seen its ridership decrease by 75%? said Terry MacCormack, Bakers deputy communications director.

Unless someone strikes oil on the Boston Common, the dearth of revenue at the T has to be dealt with, one way or the other.

Cuts are preferable to fare hikes or tax increases.

But although the MBTA tries to reassure customers that things will get back to normal once the pandemics economic vice has been loosened, it shouldnt come as a shock that the public doesnt believe it.

Continue reading here:
Eroded trust sparks skepticism of Ts service restoration - Boston Herald