Somerville Mayor Not Impressed by Baker's MBTA Overhaul Plan

Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone took to Facebook Thursday to express his blase toward Mass. Governor Charlie Baker’s proposals to improve the much-beleaguered MBTA.

According to the Boston Globe, Baker intends to take the finances and operations aspects of the T out from under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation, and put a new board in charge, while doing away with $500 million in funding. Disturbingly, Baker’s proposals also include removing the cap on fare increases.

Yes, this means the T could get even more expensive.

“Best business practices should dictate the MBTA does not raise its fares until it improves its service,” writes Curtatone on Facebook.

“If you ran a car company that made unreliable vehicles, you wouldn’t be able to get away with jacking up your prices with the promise that you’ll start making better cars after this batch of clunkers. Fare increases should be predicated on better service.”

Read the rest of Curtatone’s statement here.

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