Patrick Warns Legislature: Delays Could Prompt Additional MBTA Cuts
BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick says he expects MBTA officials to begin drawing up plans for additional service cuts unless the Legislature moves quickly on a transit bill.
Patrick said on Monday that he has received assurances from legislative leaders that action will be taken on the measure, which includes a transfer of $51 million to the MBTA from a motor vehicle inspection fund. But the governor also noted that time was running short.
T officials have warned that they warned of deeper service cuts on July 1 without legislative action on the bill.
The T's board approved a budget in April raising fares an average 23 percent to help close a projected $160 million deficit, but voted to impose only modest service cuts in anticipation of receiving additional state funds.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
