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GasBuddy News Article

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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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Author Topic: Study: Mass. transit passenger safety put in peril Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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graceman Car icon
All-Star Author Baltimore

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 9:07:27 PM

Who cares about people?
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Veteran Author Houston

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 7:28:58 PM

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!!!
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Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 5:06:49 PM

It figures that there is no money allotted for routine maintainance.
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Veteran Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 5:02:34 PM

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?
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Champion Author Oakland

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:22:15 PM

Safety should be cheaper or what are the true costs of negligence and inefficiency?
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Champion Author San Jose

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:04:13 PM

another well run gov't operation
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Rookie Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 4:01:07 PM

I can see that fare prices will be increased
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Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:57:19 PM

Ouch. 'nuff said.
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Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:55:12 PM

Typical government operation.
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Champion Author Baton Rouge

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:53:45 PM

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!!!!
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Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:52:58 PM

The Goverment will give you Stimulus money if you ask them?
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Champion Author Alaska

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:49:17 PM

Jeez what a mess. I'm glad I live in a small rural town without mass transportation.
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Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:46:21 PM

whats another couple of billion between friends? madison8359
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All-Star Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:36:17 PM

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]
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Champion Author Wisconsin

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:35:20 PM

I agree, glad I don't live there!
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Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:34:41 PM

SOUNDS LIKE HEADS SHOULD ROLL
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All-Star Author Spokane

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:30:26 PM

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.
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All-Star Author Texas

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:27:21 PM

Ditto for numerous bridges in OKLA.
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All-Star Author Vermont

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:27:02 PM

Sounds like an Amtrack story.
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Champion Author Albuquerque

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:26:18 PM

He roade forever on the subway in Boston, he's the man who never returned!
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All-Star Author Milwaukee

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:23:30 PM

this is not the only place this is happening
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Sophomore Author Austin

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:23:04 PM

I agree with you Joeski1.
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Veteran Author Indiana

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:21:13 PM

Not just Boston Mass.but all over the US.
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Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:20:16 PM

It sounds like a ploy to suck more money out of the poor unsuspecting riding public.
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All-Star Author Albany

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:18:25 PM

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.
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Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:17:40 PM

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...
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Sophomore Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:16:21 PM

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.
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All-Star Author Colorado

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:14:05 PM

A government agency relying on "an overly optimistic and unsustainable financing model?" Gee, what a shock!
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Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:13:17 PM

still lot better than driving ...
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Champion Author Pittsburgh

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:11:41 PM

Looks like I see an increase coming in transit fares for them....
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Champion Author Toronto

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:11:21 PM

Fire all those directly responsible.
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Champion Author Minnesota

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:09:58 PM

Sounds typical of quasi-governmental agencies. Paint rosie pictures to get funding than fail to meet their projections.
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Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:09:16 PM

who cares i dont
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Champion Author Buffalo

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:04:18 PM

Walking is sounding better more and more.
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Champion Author California

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 3:04:14 PM

Big fiasco. I'll bet that Boston is a little tired of this.
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Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:58:11 PM

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????
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Champion Author San Francisco

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:54:33 PM

Need a modern Boston Tea Party for the protection of life and limb from stupid government decisions?
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All-Star Author Boston

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:52:55 PM

Can the government do anything right
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All-Star Author Albany

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:49:45 PM

It is safe to say that most mass transit is unsafe in some area.
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Champion Author Philadelphia

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:47:50 PM

Glad I don't ride this system!
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All-Star Author Long Island

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:36:48 PM

Sounds like they're setting themselves up for a big lawsuit should maintenance related accident take place.
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Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:36:21 PM

Stop building an overpass for Bill Gates business in California and use the stimulus more wisely.
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All-Star Author Houston

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:35:06 PM

Another example of current facts not living up to the long ago promises....
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Champion Author Saskatchewan

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:32:41 PM

Hmmm...
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Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:25:59 PM

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.
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Veteran Author Trenton

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:21:00 PM

Call me paranoid, but did MBTA diss the Obama admin ?
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All-Star Author Saskatchewan

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:18:57 PM

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.
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Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:18:28 PM


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. :)
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Champion Author California

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:17:27 PM

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...
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Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: Nov 4, 2009 2:14:51 PM

lots of deferred maintenance for some time. Should Fund it from gas taxes
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