The Massachusetts State Senate on Thursday night unanimously adopted a bipartisan amendment creating an MBTA Fiscal Management and Control Board (FMCB).
The amendment was tucked into a $38.1 billion budget for fiscal 2016, State House News Service reported, that was approved late last night.
“This is an important step in the process to reforming the MBTA so residents can count on a reliable and efficient public transit system. This past winter illustrated the vital importance of the MBTA to businesses and residents alike,” Senate President Stan Rosenberg (D-Amherst) said in a statement. “In addition to this bipartisan effort, I look forward to the work of the Transportation Committee on the MBTA.”
The FMCB will consist of five members, three of whom will also be members of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board, including the secretary of transportation or her designee.
The FMCB has an initial three year authorization with an option for an additional two years. The amendment mandates the board to meet at least three times a month, with each meeting subject to Massachusetts Open Meeting Laws.
Authorization to raise fares under current law, which allows a 5 percent increase every two years, will be placed under FMCB control, rather than the MassDOT board, and the FMCB must make monthly reports to the secretary of transportation on implementing the necessary changes to fix the MBTA, avoid future breakdowns and put the system on firm financial footing, according to a press release from Rosenberg’s office.
“This bipartisan amendment maintains a direct line of accountability from the MBTA to the Governor’s Office. In addition, we have protected riders from unpredictable fare hikes while giving the governor the structure to fix the management problems at the MBTA,” Sen. Tom McGee (D-Lynn), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, said in a statement.
“One of the most important things that the Senate can do in this budget is provide a major reform package that comports with the framework of the plan offered by Governor Baker and restores confidence from an exasperated public,” Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester), said in a statement.
