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GREG DERR/The Patriot Ledger
State Secretary of Transportation Richard Davey takes questions from members of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce members and local political leaders after announcing cuts in MBTA services.
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QUINCY
The MBTA’s current levels of service are unaffordable and cannot continue, state Transportation Secretary Richard Davey said today as he addressed ways to cut a $161-million deficit.
“The current system we have is one that we cannot afford,” Davey said during remarks this morning to the South Shore Chamber of Commerce in Quincy.
The MBTA has proposed raising fares from 35 to 43 percent. The most severe proposal which would raise the price of a subway ride to $2.50 and a bus ride to $1.75.
The agency also is looking at cuts in commuter rail service, bus lines and ending the $3.7-million subsidy for ferry service.
Davey said the proposal to eliminate ferry subsidies for South Shore routes remains on the table, despite complaints from community activists that the MBTA promised to enhance the ferry service when it was pushing for the Greenbush commuter rail restoration. The ferry has lost 25 percent of its riders since Greenbush began running again in 2007.
“It is not a ridership question or a service question. It is a pure math question,” Davey said. “While we are very supportive of the service, unfortunately these are some of the ideas we have to close our budget deficit.”
Davey said the MBTA’s deficit will swell to $334 million in three years without reform of its finances.
Davey also said a decision is due by his agency within weeks on Boston Mayor Thomas Menino’s proposal to ban trucks carrying hazardous materials including fuel on Interstate 93 and force them to use Route 128 instead. Menino’s proposal was prompted by a massive fire last July in Saugus sparked by a tanker truck crash.
The ban would turn the nine-mile route from Boston to Braintree into a 55-mile route if trucks were forced to use Route 128.
“This has been lingering for a while,” Davey said. “I know there is definitely passion on behalf of the city of Boston, the communities affected, and the trucking community.”
Steve Adams may be reached at sadams@ledger.com.