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Transit Pledge

From the Berkshires to Cape Cod, affordable and reliable public transportation is vital to our quality of life. Reducing traffic congestion and air pollution, building our economy and cutting our dependence on oil, providing more choices for commuting and travel are all benefits of public transportation.

Unfortunately, public transportation across the state is in jeopardy.

The MBTA’s unsustainable $8 billion debt, combined with the state’s slow sales-tax growth, has left the T in a downward spiral. The T cannot generate the revenue necessary to achieve a state of good repair, meaning that the MBTA cannot improve service quality and therefore attract and retain riders.

The state’s 15 other regional transit authorities are chronically under-funded and have seen a decrease in ridership as funding has not kept pace with the rate of inflation and other costs.

Needed future transit expansions that will improve our environment, quality of life, and keep Massachusetts competitive are in jeopardy unless we make our transit system a priority.

Therefore, I pledge to:

1. Support new revenue sources for public transportation.

2. Address the MBTA’s crushing debt load so the authority can improve service and attract new riders.

3. Increase funding of the state’s Regional Transit Authorities.

4. Support strategic transit expansions that will grow our economy and protect our environment.

5. Require transit agencies be cost-effective and accountable, ensuring efficient use of commuter and taxpayer dollars.

ISSUES

Transit Pledge

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