Media contact:
Taylor Hallabuk
thallabuk@denterlein.com
January 14, 2025 – Transportation for Massachusetts Executive Director Reggie Ramos released the following statement in response to the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s transportation funding announcement.
“By making transportation a priority this session, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is responding to one of the most urgent needs in the Commonwealth. Investing in a statewide transportation network will help solve multiple problems at once – creating more options for convenient and affordable housing, new job centers, cleaner air, and less traffic.
We look forward to reviewing the Governor’s funding plan in detail. In doing so, we will first look to ensure it meets the scale of the problem, which is massive and must not be solved by an overreliance on bonding. We also must ensure equity, both in the plan’s reach and funding mechanisms.
Devoting meaningfully more Fair Share revenues to transportation is a good first step toward these criteria. Swift action is needed to pull the MBTA out of a deficit that otherwise will lead to devastating consequences for riders and communities.
However, the Governor and Legislature must also accelerate the Transportation Task Force’s other recommendations around user fees and new revenue. Fair Share funding is necessary for stabilizing our system, but to bring to life the system residents across the state deserve, we must also do more.”
Additional background:
- The MBTA faces an $800 million budget deficit in FY26
- A T4MA poll found that 53% of people who find both housing and transportation “very high” financial burdens see themselves moving, with 38% of them leaving the state altogether.
- Last month, T4MA worked together with 40 groups on a report calling for action on transportation funding this legislative session through new, long-term revenues.