Boston, MA – Last week, MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak sent U.S. Representative Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) a letter finalizing the agreement they made in their discussions about the MBTA’s proposed layoffs, furloughs and service cuts. In conclusion, there will be no layoffs or furloughs made by either the MBTA or Keolis and the MBTA is committed to increasing service levels as quickly as possible. The full letter is below:
March 19, 2021
The Honorable Stephen F. Lynch
2109 Rayburn HOB
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Congressman Lynch,
First, I want to take the opportunity to express my gratitude to you and your colleagues in the Massachusetts delegation, and recognize your hard work and effort in securing additional federal funding for the MBTA in the American Rescue Plan.
Thank you as well for the opportunity to engage in conversation with you about the MBTA’s service levels. I appreciate your perspective, and am glad we could arrive at a mutually acceptable understanding. We at the MBTA commit to increasing service levels as quickly as possible on the bus and subway while running the Spring schedule, with the addition of ‘run as directed’ buses as we are able. Further, we will undertake a rigorous review of our hiring and training procedures in an effort to accelerate this process. The Authority is committed to hiring and training operators for buses and trains as soon as feasible and I am directing staff to increase service levels on bus and rail as quickly as possible. Lastly, I want to assure you that this pathway to full service will be fully funded.
On the commuter rail, we will increase service starting April 5th with our new schedule that offers a substantial increase in service throughout the service day over current service levels. We will watch ridership carefully and add service as indicated by increases in ridership.
In addition, we commit there will be no layoffs or furloughs made by either the MBTA or Keolis – in keeping with both the letter and spirit of the American Rescue Plan. I embrace this as the correct path forward, and appreciate your support as well.
This is an overall approach that will ramp up MBTA service as quickly as possible, preserve staffing levels and maintain the MBTA’s commitment to offer appropriate levels of service as the public returns to transit in a post-pandemic world.
Again – I appreciate the opportunity to talk with you this week, and greatly appreciate your perspective and thoughts. I am excited about this path forward, and hope that this approach encapsulates our discussions.
Sincerely,
Steve Poftak
General Manager
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