Politics & Government

Eight Things You Need to Know about Tonight's MBTA Meeting

With a public meeting with MBTA officials slated for 6 p.m. Thursday night at Malden's Government Center, here's a list of info to keep handy during the proceedings.

Tonight's public meeting with MBTA officials at 6 p.m. in Malden's City Council Chambers (200 Pleasant St., third floor) will allow residents an opportunity to speak their mind about proposed cuts that could eliminate as many as 12 bus routes from the city. 

Here's eight things you need to know going into the meeting: 

1. Follow our live coverage: If you use Twitter or follow Malden Patch on Facebook, Malden Patch editor Chris Caesar will be at the meeting live, tweeting updates under the Twitter hasthag #Tcuts. If you have questions or comments during the meeting, feel free to interact on either social media outlet, and we'll hold a live chat as the meeting unfolds. 

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

You can also watch a livestream of the event—courtesy of MATV—on Malden Patch's front page.

2. Info about the proposed cuts: The MBTA has put forward two 'scenarios' aimed at bridging a $161 million deficit for the 2013 fiscal year—the first emphasizes fare increases with fewer service cuts, while the second would cut all bus lines from the city.

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

3. Thinking outside the box: On top of those, something of a “third scenario” was proposed late this week by the MBTA Advisory Board—a group providing public oversight of the MBTA—with some unconventional ideas for retaining all existing bus lines while only raising fares by 25 percent.

4. Make sure you get there on time!: Residents have been turned away at other MBTA meetings, including a contentious forum in Back Bay this week, where nearly 550 people showed up with over 100 turned away.

5. More bad news from the beltway: The MBTA's current fiscal crisis could be just the beginning—a new report reveals that House Republicans in Washington have proposed a transportation bill that would eliminate the Mass Transit Account from the Federal Highway Trust Fund. Such a change would affect public transportation projects all over the country.

6. Occupy the MBTA: A number of Facebook groups have organized visible protests at other MBTA meetings, and some will likely make similar demonstrations at Malden's meeting tonight.

If you're interested in joining or just keeping tabs on them, check out the Facebook pages for Students Against T Cuts, Occupy the MBTA, Save the MBTA Commuter Boat and Say No to MBTA Fare Hikes and Service Reductions. 

7. City's stance: Mayor Rob Dolan sent a letter to the MBTA decrying the cuts and the Melrose Board of Aldermen passed a similar resolution.

8. Folk classic: Need to get amped up for your rabble rousing? Check out this old clip of the Kingston Trio performing the 1949 folk song "MTA"—or, more popularly known as "Charlie on the MTA"—an old protest song protesting fare increases on Boston subways over 60 years ago.


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