Gov. Charlie Baker, acting on several recommendations earlier this month by a
A series of storms during the winter ground caused widespread paralysis through the MBTA's operations.
The bill, called "An Act for a Reliable, Sustainable MBTA," would have the control board and chief administrator oversee operations and finances through 2018, create capital plans, introduce reporting and audit requirements and lift procurement restrictions for the MBTA.
"This bill directly responds to the special panel's recommendations. We look forward to the legislature's swift action on the reforms necessary to restore the public's faith in the commonwealth's transit system," said Baker, who took office in January. "The T failed its stress test this winter when we needed it most, exposing the deep operational problems and lack of planning."
The control board would function as the MBTA's de-facto board and consist of five members - three appointed by the governor, and one each referred to the governor by the Senate president and House speaker, through June 30, 2018. The chief administrator, appointed by the governor, would handle daily operational, budgeting and planning duties.
The bill would also reconstruct the board of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, of which the MBTA is now a subset. Baker sought for en masse resignations from current MassDOT board members and has received six. Baker did not ask transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, his appointee, to resign.
The transportation secretary would chair a MassDOT board of 11 members, eight serving four-year terms concurrent with that of the governor. Members would include a representative from an MBTA core community, an outer MBTA community and a city or town served by a regional transit authority.
Should the bill pass, the control board would immediately develop one- and five-year operating budgets with a focus on improving productivity and increasing revenues. It would implement a clear separation of the operating and capital budgets and seek to improve procurement practices. Some trains on Boston's Red Line subway date from as far back as 1969.
The MBTA Retirement Fund would be frozen for payouts to new hires until an independent audit is completed within 180 days and would be subjected to annual audits and public record law. The fund's secrecy has drawn fire from lawmakers and sunshine advocates including the Boston think tank Pioneer Institute.
