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Study: Mass. transit passenger safety put in peril

The Houston Chronicle - Online -- BOSTON — A sweeping review of MBTA finances found the largest transportation provider in Massachusetts has relied on an overly optimistic and unsustainable financing model that now is compromising safety because it cannot fund critical maintenance and equipment replacements.

The scathing 36-page review classified 51 projects as "a danger to life or limb of passengers and/or employees" and suggested prioritizing those subway, bus and commuter rail repairs.

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Submitted Nov 04, 2009 By: FredVx464

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graceman Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,268 Points:427,700 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 10:07:27 PM Ignore graceman Report Abuse Who cares about people?
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:1,763 Points:386,305 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 8:28:58 PM Ignore comprof Report Abuse They can not spend money to upkeep our own transportation infrastructure but I see Obama gave Venezuela 2 billion dollars to finance offshore drilling which will only help China and Venezuela. It's just NUTS!!!
my3sons Champion Author New York Posts:4,301 Points:1,394,300 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 6:06:49 PM Ignore my3sons Report Abuse It figures that there is no money allotted for routine maintainance.
fordmexico Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,131 Points:180,200 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 6:02:34 PM Ignore fordmexico Report Abuse Its indicative of the underfunding that has been occurring at all levels of public transportation. This includes highways and bridges as well as subways, buses and trains. Lets not leave out the private sector, especially the airlines. They have also cutback on employees and maintenance as well as newer equipment. Many of the planes are 20 years old or older. Flown on a DC-9 lately?
CiVX Champion Author Oakland Posts:3,103 Points:528,585 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 5:22:15 PM Ignore CiVX Report Abuse Safety should be cheaper or what are the true costs of negligence and inefficiency?
srchr Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,468 Points:688,620 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 5:04:13 PM Ignore srchr Report Abuse another well run gov't operation
zeepelin Rookie Author Dallas Posts:89 Points:583,160 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 5:01:07 PM Ignore zeepelin Report Abuse I can see that fare prices will be increased
72_Monte Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,798 Points:1,019,780 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:57:19 PM Ignore 72_Monte Report Abuse Ouch. 'nuff said.
balljars Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,628 Points:720,300 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:55:12 PM Ignore balljars Report Abuse Typical government operation.
roadjet Champion Author Baton Rouge Posts:8,870 Points:1,120,445 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:53:45 PM Ignore roadjet Report Abuse How can anyone implement a program with no blatent regard for being able to follow it through...........Oh wait, the government lives by this code!!!!
pricechecker08 Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,082 Points:832,390 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:52:58 PM Ignore pricechecker08 Report Abuse The Goverment will give you Stimulus money if you ask them?
virginia52 Champion Author Alaska Posts:3,998 Points:790,635 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:49:17 PM Ignore virginia52 Report Abuse Jeez what a mess. I'm glad I live in a small rural town without mass transportation.
madison8359 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,862 Points:618,610 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:36:17 PM Ignore madison8359 Report Abuse Gee, a government agency wasting taxpayers money, misleading the public (aka lying) and blaming each other for the foul up, while elected officials run for cover and point fingers. Sounds about right. Here we just went through that and ended up changing county government (aka crooks) and getting rid of the current crooks for a new bunch. This fiasco only cost taxpayers several billion so far. Kick them out of office, immediately. [Edited by: madison8359 at 11/4/2009 4:37:57 PM EST]
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:8,736 Points:1,743,890 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:35:20 PM Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse I agree, glad I don't live there!
sjl08203 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,064 Points:970,315 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:34:41 PM Ignore sjl08203 Report Abuse SOUNDS LIKE HEADS SHOULD ROLL
Jeffgooey Champion Author Spokane Posts:1,174 Points:376,210 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:30:26 PM Ignore Jeffgooey Report Abuse Glad I don't live there and ride mass transit. We have a really decent transit system (bus) here that is really safe to ride.
baddog58 All-Star Author Texas Posts:986 Points:428,575 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:27:21 PM Ignore baddog58 Report Abuse Ditto for numerous bridges in OKLA.
ChuckGVT Champion Author Vermont Posts:2,086 Points:729,495 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:27:02 PM Ignore ChuckGVT Report Abuse Sounds like an Amtrack story.
FordGuy48 Champion Author Albuquerque Posts:1,216 Points:469,190 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:26:18 PM Ignore FordGuy48 Report Abuse He roade forever on the subway in Boston, he's the man who never returned!
Brewernut All-Star Author Milwaukee Posts:854 Points:320,330 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:23:30 PM Ignore Brewernut Report Abuse this is not the only place this is happening
garman87 Champion Author Austin Posts:1,270 Points:1,507,050 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:23:04 PM Ignore garman87 Report Abuse I agree with you Joeski1.
saturn96 All-Star Author Indiana Posts:633 Points:147,565 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:21:13 PM Ignore saturn96 Report Abuse Not just Boston Mass.but all over the US.
LuckyD43 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:14,364 Points:1,575,910 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:20:16 PM Ignore LuckyD43 Report Abuse It sounds like a ploy to suck more money out of the poor unsuspecting riding public.
LittleBlueCarNY Champion Author Albany Posts:1,143 Points:550,800 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:18:25 PM Ignore LittleBlueCarNY Report Abuse I cant remember the last time the government did anything right. I guess that's why they're hell bent on ruining our health care.
Joeski1 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,806 Points:759,480 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:17:40 PM Ignore Joeski1 Report Abuse this is going on across the USA... workers are being forced to operate unsafe equipment under threat of loss of job... same as a "whistle blower" who calls the boss on unlawful actions...
stevencr All-Star Author Ohio Posts:732 Points:458,305 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:16:21 PM Ignore stevencr Report Abuse No matter how you look at it, the tax payers are going to get the shaft on this one. I smell a stimulis money pork payment.
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:2,238 Points:571,435 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:14:05 PM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse A government agency relying on "an overly optimistic and unsustainable financing model?" Gee, what a shock!
ss70 Champion Author Detroit Posts:5,344 Points:1,126,210 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:13:17 PM Ignore ss70 Report Abuse still lot better than driving ...
MINER Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:8,426 Points:2,468,370 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:11:41 PM Ignore MINER Report Abuse Looks like I see an increase coming in transit fares for them....
Dancin Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,212 Points:1,780,515 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:11:21 PM Ignore Dancin Report Abuse Fire all those directly responsible.
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,775 Points:1,325,550 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:09:58 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Sounds typical of quasi-governmental agencies. Paint rosie pictures to get funding than fail to meet their projections.
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:3,512 Points:647,550 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:04:18 PM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse Walking is sounding better more and more.
georgeo Champion Author California Posts:2,491 Points:101,385 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:04:14 PM Ignore georgeo Report Abuse Big fiasco. I'll bet that Boston is a little tired of this.
julius1st4 Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,718 Points:811,290 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:58:11 PM Ignore julius1st4 Report Abuse If this article would have been written in "Plain English" [rather than by some University Engineer]; then we might all be able to understand what is happening????
dannyshouse Champion Author San Francisco Posts:1,461 Points:663,000 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:54:33 PM Ignore dannyshouse Report Abuse Need a modern Boston Tea Party for the protection of life and limb from stupid government decisions?
RoadhogMA Champion Author Boston Posts:2,059 Points:470,675 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:52:55 PM Ignore RoadhogMA Report Abuse Can the government do anything right
1Casey Champion Author Albany Posts:2,117 Points:993,425 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:49:45 PM Ignore 1Casey Report Abuse It is safe to say that most mass transit is unsafe in some area.
altima2008 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:3,224 Points:764,085 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:47:50 PM Ignore altima2008 Report Abuse Glad I don't ride this system!
Ltdc Champion Author Long Island Posts:2,357 Points:718,845 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:36:48 PM Ignore Ltdc Report Abuse Sounds like they're setting themselves up for a big lawsuit should maintenance related accident take place.
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,999 Points:1,210,780 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:36:21 PM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse Stop building an overpass for Bill Gates business in California and use the stimulus more wisely.
montytexas Champion Author Houston Posts:1,204 Points:716,045 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:35:06 PM Ignore montytexas Report Abuse Another example of current facts not living up to the long ago promises....
bikechuck Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:2,011 Points:1,082,170 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:25:59 PM Ignore bikechuck Report Abuse Isn't this the same state that had horrendous overcosts of the 'big dig' tunnel and it wasn't safe. We keep bailing them out.
PAofFA All-Star Author Trenton Posts:849 Points:195,965 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:21:00 PM Ignore PAofFA Report Abuse Call me paranoid, but did MBTA diss the Obama admin ?
adr47 Champion Author Saskatchewan Posts:2,391 Points:536,470 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:18:57 PM Ignore adr47 Report Abuse Everything is approved on a thin budget. To make things look good for those who will be arround for the ribbon cutting because they know that they will be long gone. when IT hits the fan.
billsandi Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,572 Points:1,408,225 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:18:28 PM Ignore billsandi Report Abuse I predict your Fed tax dollars will help allieviate the problem for liberal Mass and the MTA. Maybe the MTA should look at the Celtics business model for ideas. :)
lgwhitlock Champion Author Chico Posts:2,809 Points:719,275 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:17:27 PM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse I sure hope this brings about needed changes in order to improve safety. We keep hearing too many reports of problems and not enough about solutions...
la90042 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,402 Points:505,405 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:14:51 PM Ignore la90042 Report Abuse lots of deferred maintenance for some time. Should Fund it from gas taxes
ILVET Champion Author Illinois Posts:9,875 Points:1,958,670 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:11:29 PM Ignore ILVET Report Abuse You can get by, but you cant get away
ItisAJeepThing Champion Author Tucson Posts:11,121 Points:1,170,180 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:09:17 PM Ignore ItisAJeepThing Report Abuse Safety should be job #1. Profitability is farther down the list.
SBlouch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:4,869 Points:1,047,260 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:05:56 PM Ignore SBlouch Report Abuse This is unfortunately a problem of many cities and states not just Massachusetts. they rush to put mass transit in operation and do not have the people hired to do it right. The states need to ask help and employ people who work in mass transit in those towns and states who have successful running ones. Just loved the mass transit when I was stationed at Mather AFB and especially Travis AFB. I used the one from Valero to San Francisco many times and loved it.