2021-07-28 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Transportation
2021-07-28 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Transportation
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
right. We're calling to order this hybrid hearing of the7 Joint Committee on Transportation. Uhh my name is William Strauss, state rep. I'm the House co chair of the committee, along with uh my Senate co chair Senator Boncore Uh The notices were issued for this hearing. Uhh And uh there is there has been an ability we have, I believe over 40 individuals uh signed up uh to testify on various bills. Uh sometimes we've noticed that some people sign up just to be identified. We'll call everyone uh to the extent there are people who are, yeah. Uh in the hearing, including members of the committee had56 asked that you make sure to mute your microphone. Uh Sometimes people need to double check on that hearing a little bit of uh it's much better thank you. Uh So we have a number of bills within a couple of topic areas uh for today's hearing. Uh We will recognize individuals. Uh There may be questions from members of the committee who uh indicate and we're tracking that that they want to be asking questions. Uh I would hear some back feet again.
Please check your your mix to make sure that they are muted and when you are recognized to speak of course a muted. Uh please I will note a couple of basic procedural steps because of the number of people who signed up and the need frankly for everyone to get to hear all the thoughts that people want to express. We asked those testifying to limit their remarks to three minutes. There will be a chime that goes off at that three minute mark. Uh Sometimes people finish earlier. Uh sometimes the chime is uh is a timely reminder. Uh also it has been the practice of the committee as it has with a number of other committees in the statehouse uh to recognize legislators first because of their schedule and we will accommodate uh those legislators. I did want to indicate that the houses in full formal session today. A number of votes have already occurred uh and uh more will be expected. So at different times, legislators who are members of the committee um might be absent from the screen. It's because they have those responsibilities uh and that may also apply to me at times, and at those times the Senate co chair187 will take over. Um That's all I have is a preliminary comments. Um And I also want to thank L. I. S. Uh we could not pull these off these hearings uh and have had them occur successfully to date without the assistance, both in the room and an online elsewhere in the State House building. Uh L. I. S. Staff, I don't know if my co chair at anything else to say
no, I'm just looking forward to the testimony we're gonna get today. Okay with that. The first among the legislators who have indicated an interest. Uh and I see her on the screen at this point. Representative Utyerhoeven from Somerville. Uh you recognize the floor is yours? Okay?
Thank you. Can everyone hear me okay? Yes, fine. We just started a roll call so I may have to dip out for a second. Just heads up for House members that if you do well, happy to come back to you. Great, thank you so much. I appreciate it. Um Well,
[REP UTYERHOEVEN:] [HB3619] Thank you, Chairman Boncore, Chairman Straus and esteemed members of the Joint Committee on Transportation for holding this hearing. I'm here to testify to resolve House Bill number H 3619268 which provides a path toward transportation equity. One of the major steps it takes is to create a commission to study how fair free service could be implemented throughout the MBTA. This will include analyzing the costs associated with ticketing machines, credit card fees and staff to monitor fare evasion. It will also study the effects of requiring ticket fares and fees on low-income people, black, indigenous and other people of colour, disabled people and other marginalized communities.
Another key component of this bill is to pause the MBTA fair transformation project and conduct a study on a timeline of one year ensuring that this study is completed in a timely manner so that its findings can be implemented quickly in place of the fair transformation project. So in total passing, this bill means that we, as a state legislature will have the information needed to chart a path towards an equitable fair free MBTA. I'll share that making the MBTA free to ride is an issue of economic and racial equity. Bus and T fees are regressive, meaning that they have a larger and disproportionate cost on low and moderate-income riders.
This is because the price for a ticket is the same for all people, and thus the price will make up a larger portion of a lower-income person's salary. Combine this with the fact that low-income people and black, indigenous and other people of colour are significantly more likely to use public transit, especially buses, this problem of regressive costs affecting marginalized communities further multiplied plus eliminating public transit fees will be a needed step towards economic and racial justice in the commonwealth. We also should be prioritizing environmentally sustainable forms of transit, which means encouraging people to take public transport instead of driving cars and making the MBTA free is a major step to significantly reducing carbon emissions from transportation, which is the largest source of carbon emissions in the greater Boston area.
To that end, there are a lot of practical economic reasons to eliminate fares, especially for buses. By removing expensive costs associated with collecting fares and not requiring people to pay for tickets. We can increase ridership, reduced the dwell time of buses and trolleys, improved the frequency of service and boost local economic activity. There will be more money for the government to spend elsewhere than on fare collection and more money will be flowing through403 our economy. I'll also add that the MBTA Fair transformation project, which, while well-intentioned, is hundreds of millions of dollars over budget and years behind schedule. In April of 2020 last year, at the height of the surge of the covid 19 pandemic and following devastating cuts to transit services for the MBTA, several advocates and community leaders asked the MBTA fiscal management control board to pause this project until questions and concerns especially related to private equity and the cost of the project were resolved.
Now we're near a year later and many of those issues still remain unaddressed. This project's lack of oversight is lagging far behind schedule and is projected to cost an additional $212 million more than the initial contract. So it's critical that we pause the struggling project now and shift those resources over to fair free transit. I also recognize I am probably overtime at this point, so I just want to thank the committee for your time and for your testimony and really want to ask the committee to please vote favourably for resolving H 3619. Thank you for your time. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you very much. Thank you for participating today. And uh as I think people know from some of the news uh previews469 for this hearing, uh the issue of fare structure and um his it is front and center in today's hearing I noted last week and I noticed in one of the news previews today. Uh they did point out that the legislature uh sent last session to the governor, uh the issue of discounted fares within the tea service area. Uh he chose to veto that. Uh, but I sense that the topic is not one that the legislature is going to walk away from. So thank you again. Are there any questions from any members of the committee
seen? None. Hearing? None. Thank you wrap, appreciate your time today. Thank you so much. Next signing on representative adam Scanlon. Okay.
Right. Good morning. Can you all hear me? We're good afternoon.
We can hear you okay. Um,
[REP SCANLON:] [HB3585] Good afternoon. I would like to say thank you to Chairman Boncore, Chair Straus and the honourable members of this committee for the opportunity to testify before you. Today, I am here to testify on H547 3585, an act relative to551 discounted MBTA passes for nonprofit entities. This piece of legislation is a targeted effort to boost MBTA ridership while expanding low-cost transportation alternatives to our public charities and non-profit organizations. As we all know, MBTA ridership crashed as a direct result of the pandemic and related economic shutdown. Before the pandemic in February of 2020, the MBTA average 1.2 million weekday trips, following the pandemic shutdown, ridership fell to 140,000-weekday trips in April of 2020.
One year later, ridership has only been restored to 392,000-weekday trips, still less than 1/3 of pre-pandemic levels. We must act to ensure that ridership is returned no611 further. MBTA service cuts have to be taken in public transit to remain viable as a legislative priority. Currently, the Mbita offers reduced fares to persons with disabilities, seniors, students and children. These discounts are codified into subsection E of Section 5 of Chapter 161 A of the general laws. H 3585 expands the section to allow reduced fares for public charities in 501 C3 nonprofits. As639 I am sure many of my colleagues and members of the public can attest, public charities and non-profits have been the backbone of our communities throughout the pandemic.
Without our robust nonprofit sector, many of our neighbours may have gone without food, clean water, clothing, sanitary, products, shelter, and so much more. Members of our communities depend on these organizations when they lost everything and at no fault of their own and we will continue to depend upon our nonprofits as we deal with the following of this pandemic. By offering these reduced fares, we can boost ridership and support these organizations. Former riders will be incentivized to return and fill more seats on existing services. We will also incentivise low-cost public transit to individuals who may not have opted for public transit before, both would boost ridership and restore revenues.
Furthermore, this legislation would demonstrate how much the commonwealth values are non-profit and charitable organizations and provide additional low-cost transportation alternatives that would allow these organizations to expand their essential services beyond the confines of their immediate neighbourhoods. With that, I want to say thank you again and I respectfully request favourable reporting and look forward to working with this committee on this important legislation. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you. Reps Scanlon, appreciate your stopping in today. I know you're not physically far away, uh, and appreciate your testimony. Are there any questions from members of the committee
hearing? None. Thank you again. Right. Uh, next, uh, I will call on Senator Timilty from Milton, uh, to testifying regarding Senate 2387 Senator floor is yours?
[SEN TIMILTY:] [SB2387] Thank you very much, Chairs Strauss, Boncore and distinguished members of the committee. It's a privilege to be here today to testify before you, so thank you. Today, I am here to testify in support of Senate Bill 2387, an act relative to expanding the MBTA reduced fare program to include veterans, which of course I have filed this bill. It is a first-time file back in the for the765 latest legislative session. I had the privilege of serving as the co-chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans in Federal Affairs where along with other members of the committee, we all enjoyed the privilege of meeting, interacting and working with the thousands of distinguished veterans that we have across the commonwealth, which of course we would all agree if so selflessly served our great country.
Now, specifically in the realm of transportation, Chair Straus and Boncore, while the commonwealth provides certain exemptions and waivers for certain fees under the registry of motor vehicles for our veterans and military service members and their dependents, the commonwealth does not extend these benefits to the use of public805 transit. As such, Senate Bill 2387 will require the Department of Transportation, the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veteran Services to conduct a study of the impacts, benefits and costs of a veteran's reduced fare program for the MBTA. Specifically, this study must evaluate, first of all, the number of veterans that838 would benefit from such a program.
Secondly, the number of riders who qualify for alternate existing low-income fare programs including the ride, Third, the overall impact on fair revenue and fourth, improved methods for existing programs and the potential expansion under this study to veterans. In short, Chair Strauss and Boncore, the veterans who reside in the commonwealth, and I know we're all in agreement on this point, are outstanding examples of our nation's bravest heroes and heroines. Simply put, it is my belief that we should extend, and reduce fair benefits to our veterans.
Consequently, this bill will be the first step to ensuring equity in reducing transit fares for veterans similar to what we have already done for our veterans in relation to our MVPs. Chair Straus, Chair Boncore and members of the committee, I thank you for your consideration of this bill. I look forward to working with the committee and as always, I am more than happy to answer any questions and in the final analysis, respectfully would request a favourable report for Senate Bill 2387. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair and Chairman Boncore. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you, Senator. It's great to see you. We miss you in the913 House. Uh, but I know you're doing big stuff over on the other side of the building. So thank you918 for taking the time to be here today. Uh, any any questions from members of the committee hearing? None. Thank you again, Senator. We'll see you soon.
Thank you chair strauss. Thanks chair Boncore. Members of the committee. Uh, next is, uh, Senator Susan Moran from Falmouth. Uh, senator, you're here. The floor is yours.
[SEN MORAN:] [SB2361] Thank you very much both chairs and the committee members. I'm respectfully requesting that Senate 2361, an act relative to municipal equity and steamship authority operation be released with a favourable recommendation based on the following. The steamship authority moves travellers, commuters, freight trucks and resources between port towns including Falmouth, Woods Hole in New Bedford, and the islands including Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. It's governed by a five-member board, each representing a town or county served976 by the authority. Currently, the votes of the five-member board are weighted islands,981 each having a vote of 35%, and mainland towns each having a vote of 10%, with a 50% vote required for a steamship board action.
In practice, this means that while the islands can join together to pass any measure, the mainland towns are powerless and less joined in a vote by one of the islands, the voting weight creates a structural inequity that's leading to ongoing and increasing discontent. Unfortunately, because the mainland towns have so little say in the actions of the steamship authority, the Authority and active measures may benefit the islands at the expense of the health and safety of mainland towns. Constituents will be clear that the status quo is not only disruptive but dangerous at times, freight trucks travelled through towns at high speeds at all hours, idol and beep, spewing carbon emissions and waking residents beginning around 4:45 AM.
Operational decisions exacerbate traffic construction and compose a risk of delays in emergency response units. Senate 2361 would create a change to the voting structure of the steamship authority. To require that, a majority vote includes at least1058 one vote from a minority share voter in order to pass any measure. The mainland would still not be able to unilaterally cross the measure, but the islands would need the consent of at least one mainland town to take action. In addition, this bill makes no change to the financial obligation of any city or town and is an acknowledgement of their reliance on the steamship authority. The islands will maintain a voting rate under1085 the new legislation that has passed, which is 250% greater than the weight of the mainland vote.
It's never easy to change the status quo, but recent conversations are tremendously positive. Senate 2361 is an opportunity to begin in earnest to ensure we exhaust every single idea whether large or small. Now coming out of COVID is not the time to shout over or dismiss creative voices. There's too much at stake across all sectors of our economy, technology,1117 public health, and housing transportation all understand the definitions of infrastructure systems are being challenged for their wastefulness, their lack of sustainability, lack of social equity and the damage they cause to our planet with the impending replacement of the born in Sagamore Bridges, now is the time to reimagine transportation on the Cape and the steamship authority should not be left out. Thank you for your consideration. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
1152
1152 Thank1152 you senator. Uh certainly a topic near and dear to my heart representing two communities that host uh steamship authority operations in one of which is a constituent member that you identified the city of New Bedford. So always a I don't remember a time when it isn't worth talking about the steamship authority. So I'm sure there'll be a great deal of interest on on this bill. Are there any questions from members of the committee?
Yeah. Um hearing none. Thank you so much, Senator. Thank you. Mr.
Um Next we have a virtual panel. I think I've got the lineup correct. Among three uh legislators by agreement with the chairs will have a virtual panel uh reps, barber and Leboeuf and Senator Jehlen. Uh And I believe that's the order they requested all on the same1219 topic of uh the similar related bills of House 3403 Senate 2340 I believe first up will be rep barber from Somerville rep. The floor is yours.
[REP BARBER:] [HB3404] [SB2340] Thank you, Chairman Straus and Chairman Boncore. You've got the order right, so we really appreciate you taking us out of turn and for the opportunity to testify today in support of1241 our bill, House 3404 and Senate 2340, an act relative to fair free buses. As you mentioned, I filed this with Rep LeBoeuf and Senator Jehlen. Simply this bill would create a one-year pilot program for free access to bus service for the MBTA and for the RTAs, and importantly, it would also1261 establish two advisory committees; one for RTAs, one for MBTA to evaluate the pilot program and look at ridership equity, increased access, performance, time efficiency and cost savings. So we really want to get under the hood of what's going on with this pilot program.
So expanding access to public transit as you'll hear from many people today, it's a health equity issue. It's a critical part of our state's recovery from Covid-19 and really important to our essential workers who kept the commonwealth running throughout the last year and a half. Those who are most impacted by the pandemic are also those who continue to take the bus and take public transportation throughout the pandemic. So we want to incentivize people with free rides on public transit to get people out of their cars, decrease carbon emissions, reduce air pollution, and increase the overall health of our communities. So our hope is that by establishing a pilot program, we can test the proof of concept for a fair free system. We've all heard a lot of questions and critiques of1326 a fair free system, but it has not been piloted1331 and closely studied. So we think this bill is a way of doing that and I'm going to pass it on to my colleague sponsors, but I really thank you for the opportunity to speak about this bill and look forward to working with the committee on this issue. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you rep LaBouef but great. And
[REP LEBOEUF:] [HB3403] [SB2340] Thank you, Chair Straus and Chairman Boncore for giving me the time to testify today with Representative Barber and Senator Jehlen. I1356 come from Worcester which is serviced by the WRTA and our RTA had an interesting situation, during this pandemic where they actually suspended fares during that time for the safety and well being of both their riders and their drivers. Although ridership across the state was down because of social distancing measures and individuals' choices around public transportation the RTA actually showed that it had the largest ridership amongst similar systems and fares are not necessarily a detractor from operations and actually have an inverse effect on ridership levels.
Since 1991, the WRTA raised its fares three times and it's had its lowest ridership numbers since those decreases and studies have shown that a 10% increase in fares actually leads to a 3% decrease in ridership and vice versa. The RTA only collects $3 million from fares but it actually costs over a million dollars to collect those fares which include the fare boxes, service, operation, processing, time and maintenance. Furthermore, in the 39 cities across the United States that have done a fair free pilot, every single one of them has actually shown increased ridership numbers and some of them have1433 even tripled and these are more effective than just reducing fares in general. So I ask that you take these lessons from Worcester and across the state and implement this bill. Again, I ask that you do a favourable report on H 3403 and S 2340 Thank you, Mr. Chairman. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you rep Senator Jehlen
[SEN JEHLEN:] [HB343] [SB2340] Thank you very much, Chairman Straus, Chairman Boncore. I'm here also in support of Senate 2340, an act relative to fair free1470 prices. Thanks to Barber for explaining what the bills would do and LeBoeuf for telling about the Worcester experience creating fair free bus routes or systems has several goals. One more people could decide to travel by bus instead of by car, this would reduce traffic, reduce commuting time for everyone and reduce pollution. That policy could help achieve the ambitious goals. We sat in the Climate Roadmap Bill Several RTs, including Worcester of which you heard about. And Lawrence have had fair free services during the pandemic and have seen ridership increase up to 20%. And then we will. The second benefit would be that there would be less well time1543 as buses would not have to wait for passengers to pay. This would reduce commuting time and make timing more predictable for bus riders. And that would make transit more attractive and increase the shift. Eight pouting As one bus might be uh waiting and another bus behind it would leapfrog it, which is another concern.
The National Association of City Transportation Officials estimates that the time it takes to pay for fares is a third of the time that a bus spends en route. The third benefit would be the election, which would offset bus fares are less than 10% of our revenue and only 5% of MBTA. New contract for fare collection completion to cost 33 million to operate. The fourth benefit is equity. Since bus riders are more likely to be low income and people of colour than subway or commuter rail riders, fair free buses can contribute to reducing inequality and increasing equality for those workers. Creating pilot fair free routes and systems on how effective the policy is in achieving its gold places where the policy more or less.
Also, allow cost-benefit analysis, maybe with metrics about where the policy makes the most. This is the right time right now for fair free pilots, implementing them is of benefit to ARPA funds or state surpluses in helping public transit recover from the loss of ridership during the pandemic. It is also a crucial time as commuting patterns and work patterns are changing. So it may be more possible to change those patterns. Thank you for your attention and I'm hoping that you will give these bills a favourable report. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Senator, thank you to all three members of the panel at this point. Are there any questions from the committee members for any members of the panel hearing? None. Uh will conclude that panel. Thank you very much. Obviously you're you're welcome to stay and and listen on the rest of the hearing. Thank you again. Nice to see you all.
Um before calling the next legislature, we have two remaining who've signed up. I did want to acknowledge uh members of the committee who are here uh in attendance today and as I indicated because we are in session, uh some may have to come and go as as votes occur, we have the vice chairman1733 of the committee. I see him at the top of the screen rep Devers uh, is here, Rep Blais is uh in attendance. Uh rep Fluker Oakley is here, rep caress is here, rep Orrall from Lakeville is here. Uh rep Sabadosa is here and um, uh, from the Great um, Halloween City, It's not fair in Salem, rep tucker is here, uh, uh turn it over to my uh, senate co chair. Some of the members of the Senate, uh, who are on the committee are here in attendance as well.
I want to thank the members of the Senate who have taken the time away from caucus to join us here today. Uh, and those1787 include Senator Chandler, Senator Michael Rush and Senator Susan Moran who we just heard from, Thank1794 you for being here. Thank you. Uh, two members of the committee who are here now returning to the witness list as I've indicated with two more legislators. Uh, and then in addition to members of the public, next would be rep Tyler from boston. Uh, if you're in attendance, we can recognize you now.
Wonderful.
[REP CHYNA:] [HB3547] Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. Good morning Chair Boncore, Chair Straus and vice chairs, Keenan, Devers and the honourable members of the Joint Committee on Transportation. Thank you so much for taking me out of turn. It is my pleasure to be before you today to support to testify for House Bill 3547, an act to establish free access to ride in elections in Massachusetts, also known as the Fair Act. I filed this bill jointly with Senator Moran and1842 Senator Boncore along with strong support from Mass vote and other voting rights organizations because it is clear that there is much more work left to be done and ensuring equitable access to the ballot box for our black Latino and low income communities.
The Fair Act would make key forms of public transit free on Election Day. Specifically, it would take the bus, subways, and trolleys service free for all statewide primaries and elections. This would apply to the MBTA as well as to the 15 different regional transit authorities. It continues to1877 concern me that in my own district, parts of Roxbury saw voter turnout rates as low as 42% in the 2020 general election, that's only 42%. That's 26% below Boston's average turnout rate and 34% below the state's average. Voters like these space unnecessary barriers to about to the ballot box, such as distance and accessibility to the polling places. Passing the fair act and making public turns free on Election Day is one powerful step that we can take to ensure that all voices are heard to address the inequities in our communities.
With that, I strongly urge you to do whatever you can to consider reporting House Bill 3547 favourably out of the committee and look forward to working with the committee to hopefully make that possible. If you have any questions, I am happy to answer them and before I go,1929 I just want to give a special thank you to Senator Boncore for all your service. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Yeah. Hey, thank you rep. It's great to see you. And uh, I'll add to uh, putting uh, my co-chair on the spot. I think he's going to be getting a number of those recognitions in the coming days and weeks. And uh we all appreciate his efforts here. So now that I've sufficiently embarrassed him and I won't give him a chance to speak. I will now turn to the next person on the list. Uh that would be uh of legislators. Leader Moran. I think1963 I saw you here uh there you are leader Moran uh welcome the floor is yours.
[REP MORAN:] Thank you, Chairs Straus, Boncore and a tribute to the members of the Joint Committee and Transportation for the opportunity to speak to you today on my bill and Representative Chyna Tyler's Bill as well, an act establishing free access to write to elections in Massachusetts, also known as the Fair Act. Voting right is one of the most talked-about policies in the country today and it is easy to understand why. While states such as Georgia attempt to impose strict anti-voting laws designed to keep disenfranchised voters from having a voice in the democratic process, you2004 do not need to look across the country to see the steep inequalities that limit voters' access and2011 hamper our democracy.
You can see them all too clearly in Massachusetts and you can feel them all too personally in our own communities. In the 2020 general election, Massachusetts witnessed a 28-year high voter turnout rate of 76%. However, this result, this story is what turned out really looks like across the state. According to the voting rights organization, Mass voter turnout rates reached 85% or higher in commonwealth, predominantly white, wealthy and2050 suburban communities, but in more diverse, lower-income urban communities, voter turnout rates fell down percentage below that. This proved apparent this proves apparent in the community such as Boston2065 and Lawrence, for example, in my hometown the city of Lawrence, Latin X voter turnout was only 53 and in parts of Roxbury, which is a predominantly black, voter turnout had a stunning low of 42%, wow.
This statistic represented certainly a trend among other gateway cities as well. No one policy alone is the answer to making our democracy completely accessible. The Fair act will help facilitate increased voter turnout in underserved communities. The fair act will make most public transit options in Massachusetts free on Election Day, both for statewide primaries and general election. In doing so, we will guarantee the black and brown, low income, immigrant individuals who primarily rely upon public transit will have reliable access to their polling locations which will increase voter participation throughout massachusetts. With the historic voter turnout in the 2020 election being something to be proud of, we still face a long journey to ensuring that communities like Lawrence are afforded the same opportunities to participate in the democratic process.
The fair act represents a common-sense approach to the ongoing conversations surrounding increased voter participation and his bill2146 simply put pollster and expand our democracy. Thank you, Mr. Chair for your time and attention to this important matter and a restrictive, respectfully request that this legislation is given in favour of recommendation by the committee and I look forward to working with both of you in the future. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Uh, thank you. Uh, Leader Moran. It's great to see you. Uh, I would say this to both you and rep Tyler. Uh, well, in my co chair on this, uh, you've done an excellent job today in in pointing out that uh what may not be a barrier of any kind to some to get out to vote is a major2189 obstacle to others. And even in the area of transportation access to the ballot can can come up. So thank you for your time on this. Uh are there
hearing? None. Thank you again. And great to see you. Uh we will now turn uh in the next part of the hearing to those members of the public who as a result of the public notice have indicated an interest in testifying. I2237 should also state as uh is published. Uh We do in the committee except written uh testimony for those who don't want to make uh or can't uh today make public statements through this format. And those written statements can of course be emailed uh to to the committee. So I wanted to point that out and at this point, uh first on the list would be not tremble uh from uh, Citizens Task Force on Smart Transportation. Uh, Mr Trumbull,
[NATHANIEL TRUMBULL(SOUTHEAST MASS REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION):] [SB2361] Thank you. My name is Nat Trumbull and I live in Falmouth. I'm representing Southeast Massachusetts Regional Transportation, SMART Citizens Task Force. SMART is a regional transportation advocacy group of more than 100 members. SMART expresses our full and unconditional support for favourable action on S 2361. I'm also speaking on behalf of thousands of frustrated residents and voters from Falmouth WoodsHole, Born and Hyenas. Today, two voting members of the steamship authority board representing Martha's vineyard and Nantucket control, 70% of the board vote. When the two islands vote together, the votes of Falmouth, Barnstable, New Bedford, that is the other three voting members of the authority, representing together, only2326 30% of the board vote2328 is meaningless.
Here are some examples of problems that mainland port towns cannot solve without a restructuring of the authority voting system because of the mainland towns, voting status. Expansion of freight operations is today overwhelming Woods Hole Village in Falmouth. Absent is any planning for launching an off Cape freight2350 port. As the island continued to grow, we see no interest or action on the part of island board members to address this problem. The steamship freight scheduling today deprives hundreds, if not thousands, of port town residents of a reasonable night's sleep as the steamship authority schedules freight trucks through our residential neighbourhoods essentially in the middle of the night.
In the case of Palma, the steamship authority dismisses local2374 zoning and traffic concerns as the steamship expands its physical footprint with larger and larger freight operations in WoodsHole Village. As a longtime resident of one of those mainland port communities, Falmouth, I can vouch personally for the municipal inequity of the current voting structure. Mainland town residents are completely disenfranchised by the current voting arrangement of the steamship authority. S 2361 seeks to promote negotiation and compromise to ensure that the island and mainland port communities can work together to solve problems. S 2361 does so by requiring a broader consensus of votes by the authority in the form of a vote by the islands and of a vote from at least one mainland port town.
So long as the islands can control authority decision making, by voting together pursuant to their current 70% voting share, cooperation and regional planning will be frustrated, intentions between the islands and the mainland will2438 intensify which is not good public policy. SMART respectfully ask for a favourable report from the Joint Transportation Committee for Bill S 2361. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
mm-hmm. Thank you
Mr Trumbull. I'm aware of all your work on this topic. Uh, and thank you for participating today. Are there any questions or comments from members of the committee
hearing? None. Thank you again. Mr Trumbull for participating in today's hearing and in support of this bill. Uh, next witness listed is Alex uh, Salonica's of Mass boat.
Uhh not online right now, but we'll come back any names here. I'm sorry, but I'm sorry. Okay. No, no, no apologies. I just try to time in the hearings and all that, but I can get started if you'd like. The floor is yours. Fantastic.
[ALEX LAKIS(MASS VOTE):] [HB3547] [SB2261] Thank you very much, Chair Straus, Chair Boncore for holding this hearing today. My name is Alex Lakis2511 and I am the Policy and Communications Manager at the Mass vote, which is a voting rights organization. Today, I am speaking to you in support of H 3547 and S 2261, also known as the Fare Act. Before I begin any further remarks, I just wanted to thank Representative Chyna Tyler and Representative Frank Moran for their really poignant remarks on the importance of the Fare Act. I think one thing that's really important to recognize is all of the filers of the fare Act, Representative Tyler, Representative Moran and Senator Boncore all come from communities that recognize the need for the fare Act.
One of the main reasons we're supporting the Fare Act is because it addresses2563 the voter turnout gap in Massachusetts. What we often see is that the predominantly white, wealthy suburban communities in Massachusetts see the highest voter turnout rates, but the more diverse, lower-income urban communities in Massachusetts see the lowest turnout rates. As the representatives said, this was highlighted in the 2020 general election, but I think it's really, really important to emphasise just what that actually looked like. In the suburb of Dover, for example, which is about a 30-minute drive from Boston, voter turnout reached 90%.
In that same community, the annual household income is over $250, the college graduation rate is 85 and the white population is 85% but in a city like Springfield, about an hour and a half away,2616 the voter turnout rate was only 53%. In that same community,2622 the median household income was under $40,000, the college graduation rate is under 20% and the white population is just above 30%. The tale of Dover is very similar to other suburbs across Massachusetts and the tale of Springfield is very similar to the story of other cities across Massachusetts. Cities like Springfield Lawrence, New Bedford, Holyoke Chicopee, Fall River and as Chyna Tyler hinted at, parts of Boston such as Roxbury, parts of Boston such as East Boston in Chinatown.
We really believe in this because we saw in the 2020 election all the successes. Success is like voting by mail and early in-person voting. But we don't want those successes to be the end because we recognize they're not perfect and that more can and should be done. And we know that the Fare Act isn't the end all be all, but we know that it's one small important step we can take. So with that, I urge the committee to report the fair act out favourably, and Senator Boncore again wanted to thank you for your work on this issue. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you. Mr Salafis. Are there any questions from members of the committee? Senator Mr slice?
I want to thank you and everyone at the mass vote. Mhm. We're raising this issue and championing this issue uh with legislators that we've heard2714 from today. I know as we see other states in this country, do what they can to um Create hurdles to allow people2722 to get to the ballot box. It's great to see Massachusetts um joined many other cities across the country, including Los Angeles County, which I think has a population of about 10 million people. Um, and they've been doing um they have free elections, transit service um somewhat successfully for the past few years. So it's great to see we could join that and we2747 could break down sort of institutional barriers that many communities and um, citizens of the commonwealth face in getting the ballot box. So I just want to thank you for your work on this piece of legislation.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much, Senator. You made a great point2766 with Los Angeles County where public transits free on Election Day and that's not the only community that's the largest by far as you head to that, but countless cities across the country do is uh, Dallas san Diego other parts of texas. Um, if I had 30 minutes, not three minutes, I would tell you about how great the Fair Act is, but I'll put the rest in writing. Thank you.
You've done fine in three. You2789 don't need, you've done a great job. Thank you. Um, any other members of the committee questions or comments hearing none. Thank you again to the witness. Uh next to sign up is Stacy Thompson from the livable Streets Alliance. Yeah. Okay. Hello.
[STACY THOMPSON(LIVABLE STREETS ALLIANCE):] [HB3526] [HB3403] [SB2340] Thank you so much to both of the Chairs for the opportunity to comment. I know that there are many advocates here today, so I'm going to try to keep it short and sweet. Um, I am here today to ask the committee to report favourably on House Bill 3526 relative to low-income fares, House Bill 3403 and Senate Bill 2340 relative to their free buses. I would note that these bills are also aligned with the transportation new deal with Rep Uyterhoeven's new Bill, that there's a lot of support across the entire state for both the implementation of Fair free buses and low-income fares in the MBTA region.
These are complementary policies and I get excited about them because we very rarely get to say the whole state agrees on some transit-related things and fare-free buses certainly are one of those. I know there are a lot of advocates today who2861 are going to talk about how these policies personally impact them and how important they are but I'm just going to say two things to the folks in the Legislature. The first is2870 that it's important to note, that we already have successful Fare, free bus pilots, in the state, in Franklin County, in Worcester, Brockton and Lawrence, in the Cape and now coming to Boston but municipalities and advocates are the ones leading the charge and we really need a comprehensive way statewide to implement and assess how fare-free transit can sort of improve the lives of everyone in the state and that gets me to my second point, which is we need the Legislature to act.
We know that the administration vetoed your great work to advance low-income fares last session. We know the administration is not interested in moving forward with these fare-free pilots and we know they are necessary, reasonable and achievable and that we need the Legislature to join the folks who are here today to make progress and move this work forward. So I'm here as an advocate to say, we really hope that you take action and there are lots of wonderful people today who are going to explain why it's so important. So I really appreciate your time and the leadership of the folks who filed these bills. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you, Thank you for your testimony today And all the great advocates we have in transportation. You are certainly at the top of that list. So I appreciate your testimony here today. Any questions from the members of the committee
hearing? None. Uh, thanks again for your testimony. Next the committee will hear the testimony of Gustavo.
Okay, Hi there. Can you hear me? We can hear you well. Alright, wonderful. Thank you so much.
[GUSTAVO QUIROGA(ALLIANCE FOR BUSINESS LEADERSHIP):] [HB3526] [HB3403] Good afternoon, Chair Straus, Chairman Boncore, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony this afternoon. My name is Gustavo Quiroga and I'm here as a member of the board of Directors, of The Alliance for Business Leadership to express my support for House Bill 3526, an act relative to low-income transit fares and House Bill 3403, an act relative to fare-free buses. I'm also the director of the neighbourhood strategy at Graffito, a strategic advisory firm here in Boston, focused on urban design, neighbourhood planning, and retail leasing. I'm also a proud resident of Jamaica Plain. The Alliance for Business Leadership is a coalition of business leaders who believe that progressive policy solution are good for business3010 and good for3011 the people of the commonwealth.
When it comes to public transportation, ABL believes it should be accessible, convenient and affordable. Our view is that a reliable and accessible public transportation network encourages economic development. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Any persons on this call please yourself. Um, this is important testimony. The committee want to make sure the committee can hear it all. Sorry for the interruption of Quiroga, Can you make it anymore?
Thank you. I'm just going to start that last paragraph over if you don't mind. Uh,
[QUIROGA:] The Alliance for Business Leadership is a coalition of business leaders who believe that progressive policy solutions are good for business and good for the people of the commonwealth. When it comes to public transportation, ABL believes it should be accessible, convenient and affordable. Our view is that a reliable and accessible public transportation network encourages economic development and creates opportunities for business owners, entrepreneurs and workers. H 3526 and H 3403 are complementary policies3069 and if passed, would help address long-standing issues of inequality and transportation in the state.
On the issue of3074 developing a low-income fare program, we know that the cost of public transportation, especially the high3081 cost of commuter rail, causes considerable financial hardships for many households. It cost over $500 per month for many commuter rail users to get to work, which is unsustainable for many residents in the Greater Boston area, including the essential workers we have relied on and cheered on to get us through the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing reduced fares for low-income commuters will help revitalize Boston's urban core by encouraging travel into the city again and3129 providing desperately needed3130 economic relief to lower-income residents and surrounding communities on buses, pilot programs and Lawrence and Worcester, as we've heard have already demonstrated proof of concept for making buses fare-free.
Eliminating fares, allows for faster boarding and keeps3145 buses on schedule. Faster buses, and reduce costs have made buses a more attractive option to commuters and led to increases in ridership. Here in Boston, mayor Kim Janey, a longtime transportation advocate this week, just announced a pilot program to make the 28 bus route from Mattapan to Roxbury free for three months, starting in late August. This is a smartly targeted pilot, as more than 2/3 of riders of the 28 buses are classified as low income. This is the type of forward-thinking leadership and equity focused investment that the MBTA could use more of and that H 3403 will instruct the MBTA to explore.
During this time when we're having broad conversations about reimagining public transportation3186 in the future of work, equity and accessibility should remain at the centre of any and all reforms being considered. I urge committee members to vote in favour of these two bills so that we can begin to address persistent inequities in transportation, access and affordability. Thank you for your time. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony today. Any questions or comments from3209 members of the committee quiroga, eric Dunn. Next. The committee will hear the testimony of Phineas them down.
Okay? Thank you. Uh, can you hear me? We can hear fine. Oh great. Thank you. Well
[PHINEAS BAXANDALL(MASS BUDGET AND POLICY CENTER):] Thank you, Chairman Strauss, Chairman Boncore and members of the committee for this opportunity to speak about important legislation before you. My name is Phineas Baxandall, I'm a senior analyst3239 for the Massachusetts Budget and Policy centre or Mass budget. I speak in support of both fair free buses and free or discounted fares for low-income transit riders. These two approaches are as Stacy Thompson said mutually supportive and work well in tandem. The pandemic has worsened income and racial inequality. It has widened alarming health disparities and raised new obstacles to opportunity for many communities. Now, the way Massachusetts collects public revenue compounds inequality.
On average, households with moderate and especially low incomes contribute a higher percentage of their income in state-local taxes than do high-income families, economists call this a regressive tax3280 system. I can think of no other revenue source in Massachusetts that worsens inequality more for each dollar collected than bus fares. I know of no other revenue source that's more likely to be charged to low-income people who received no discount and are3298 moreover charged for an activity the commonwealth ostensibly seeks to encourage. Transit fares fall doubly hard on lower-income people. First, lower-income people are more likely to ride transit, especially buses.
3308 Second,3308 fare represents a much larger percentage of income for poor families than for affluent ones. For these reasons, eliminating transit fares is an especially potent way to advance economic and racial equality. Many initiatives across Massachusetts and elsewhere have shown significant performance benefits from cutting fares. Doing so gets more people riding public transit, which helps reduce traffic congestion and climate change emissions. Likewise, we've seen that eliminating fare collection, improves services and saves on costs. Several people have spoken about this, but I'll only point out that data provided by Cape Cod regional transit authorities showed that before the pandemic, the authorities spent 77 cents on fare collection for each dollar they collected in fares.
Eliminating or reducing fairs, of course, won't pay for itself so it's3360 also important to commit to finding ways to pay for it. The commonwealth has never been at a better moment to do3372 so. The nearly $5 billion, in unassigned federal recovery funds represents an unprecedented opportunity. The legislature should back initiatives to cut fares now that will3379 help the recovery and those who need it most. As these programs show their merit, the popular fare share amendment ballot question will be voted on3390 next November and can help to sustain these improvements over the long term. I urge the members of the committee to favourably advance the various bills before you that would eliminate fares and reduce them for low-income riders. Thank you for your attention and this opportunity to submit testimony. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you us back to now. Any questions comment from members of the committee
and now again. We thank you for the time you took today to testify next. The committee will hear the testimony of Emmanuel de Barros.
Mhm. Yeah. Okay. How long mom?
[EMMANUEL DE BARROS(ACE):] Hello everyone. My name is Emmanuel De Barros from ACE, Alternative for Community Environment. I would just like to thank you the Chair of the committee for this opportunity to talk to you and give you my testimony. ACE has been3442 an environmental justice transit-oriented development neighbourhood based, nonprofit in Roxbury for over 25 years and I'm really honoured to be part of the environmental justice nonprofit organization in Massachusetts. We have been defending the rights of Roxbury. I'm supporting the EJ communities of Massachusetts and I'm here to support the House bill um 3526 and House Bill 3403 In the Senate3483 Bill on 2340.
So as important with envy to low-income fares and statewide fare-free buses. Many advocates3493 have been advocating for fare-free and reliable transportation systems and we hope that we still haven't got this to happen really, therefore. With the past campaigns in the past in 2014, 20 great people including myself were able to participate in the sitting at mass dot building in downtown Boston as part of our youth affordability coalition. So this coalition was my youth passed an affordable pass for the youth of people right at the MTA up to the age of 21. This past is able to become a pilot in 2015 and we were able to get it and send it to the age of 25. To me, this3546 really would help with running smoother boarding and affordable system for the youth of Boston and before the pandemic, many people were struggling to pay for their fares mostly due to being unemployed or financial problems that were happening at home.
As we recovered from the pandemic crisis, I know unemployment and economic struggles made more people even are relying on the MBTA and their public transportation and we will find it harder to afford it. Free buses will be a great opportunity for people to um commute and be more build mobile and able to afford to people to um get around when they struggle and being on the floor. But also with the more um police being around people being able to uh move more effectively. This will help with the moat shift. So this will help with getting more people switching if they're using their cars, they will be able to write a more reliable public system due to less onboarding time. And this will help reduce emissions. And as most people know that public transit is a public good and we need this to contribute to our family and our friends and everybody that we need to have access to great opportunities and also to commute where we need to go. I would just like to say thank you for this time and thank you, everyone. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Well thank you, thank you for taking the time to come before the committee and testify3643 today. Are there are any questions or comments from any of the committee members.
Okay, thank you for your testimony next. The committee. Take the testimony of Alexis walls.
Hello, can you all see and hear me? Okay?
Can you see and hear me okay? Okay. Perfect. Alright, awesome. Um, so hi everybody,
[ALEXIS WALLS(MASS PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION):] [SB2340] [HB3403] Thank you, Chairs and members of the committee for the opportunity to just testify on behalf of Senate Bill 2340 and House Bill 3403, an act relative to fare free buses. I also just want to thank Senator Jehlen, Rep Barber and Rep LeBoeuf for your leadership on this. My name is Alexis Walls and I'm assistant campaign director with the Massachusetts Public Health Association, we are a3691 statewide nonprofit that does public health policy advocacy. Folks before me have already provided compelling testimonies on behalf of this bill,3698 but I just want to speak really briefly about the public health implications. So we know that communities with access to transit that's efficient, reliable and clean, are healthier that's why our organization supports policies that invest in improvements in our transit3713 system, particularly regional transit authorities, which serve over 250 communities outside of the MBTA service area.
Robust transit in RTA communities would increase access to pathways out of poverty, and enhance social connectivity and independence, especially for older adults and folks with disabilities and it would also improve air quality as a result of reduced emissions from passenger cars. But we have to remember that efficient, reliable and clean transit is only going to be effective in improving the health of communities if it's affordable and fare free3745 buses are an important step toward creating more accessible and equitable transit options, especially for the 55% of Massachusetts residents who live in an RTA service area. Most people who currently rely upon RTA buses and pear transit services are low income, which means that paying to ride the bus means choosing not to pay to meet another basic need.
In 2016, there were nearly 70% of WRTA riders that had a household income of under $25,000 And around 80% of PVT a writer had incomes below 20,000. This bill would help remove cost barriers for riders as we continue in the recovery phase of the pandemic and it would also help the state evaluate a fare3782 free bus program which is essential to understanding the true cost of fare free service and the impact that it would have on ridership and quality of life. RTAs as we know have small budgets and the cost of collecting fares is not worth the little RTAs recoup in fair revenue. As Stacy already mentioned, there are several RTAs that have already stepped up as leaders in fare free buses.
This is due to the urging of advocates um and municipal leaders and many we know if now all RTAs went fare free for a period of time during the pandemic. Many of those RTAs continuing to experiment with some form of fare free service today because we know that it will result in increased ridership efficiency and economic activity. It's time to test fare free buses statewide and I just ask that you all report Senate Bill 2340 and House Bill 3403 favourably out of committee without delay. Thank you so much. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you, Miss Wallace, Thank you for your testimony before the committee today. Any questions more comments from the committee members? Okay, hearing none moving right along next. The committee will hear from Masspurg and Jon Stewart.
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Great.
[JOHN STONE(MASS PIRG):] [HB3542] [SB2266] [HB3403] [SB2340] Thank you, Chairman Boncore, Chairman Staus and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is John Stone and the Transportation Advocate for Mass Peirg, a member supported statewide nonprofit public interest advocacy organization that has been fighting for healthier, more sustainable transportation options for all residents of Massachusetts for more than 20 years. I'm here today to testify in strong support of House Bill 3542 and Senate Bill 2266, an act relative to transportation3879 governance as well as House Bill 3403 and Senate Bill 2340, an act relative to fare-free buses. These bills will ensure that our state's public transportation systems are more efficient, accessible and sustainable so that they better serve all residents of the commonwealth regardless of where they live.
The Covid-19 health crisis has demonstrated how important public transit is to many of those living in the greater Boston region, especially our essential workers who have kept our state going over the past year and a half. To do this, we need a permanent government governing body to ensure the MBTA3936 continues to make smart investments in infrastructure, maintains transparency with regard to its operations and capital needs as well as provides a dedicated venue for the public to attend important meetings and speak up about issues and concerns. MBTA riders cannot endure another acute crisis like the one seen during3951 the winter of 2015, which literally left riders out in the cold.
I want to thank the Legislature for ensuring that this doesn't happen again by working to include language from House Bill 3542 and Senate Bill 2266 within the state budget for the fiscal year 2022 to institute a permanent MBTA governing board. I should also note that I will be submitting Mass PIRG's recent report, which we released along with a conversation about Conservation Law Foundation and Transportation for Massachusetts on this subject as part of my written testimony. While the MBTA is a large piece of the commonwealth public transportation system, we can't forget about the rest of the state, with over 50% of the state's population, including Worcester and Springfield, the 2nd and 4th largest cities in New England, we must also support our 15 regional transit authorities if we're going to successfully encourage a mode shift away from single-occupancy vehicles and increase public transit ridership.
Prior to the pandemic, RTA's served as a lifeline from any outside of the Greater Boston region, providing around 28 million unlinked passenger trips every year. Most RTA riders are low income and cannot drive or do not have access to other modes of transportation, but in large part, RTA services are not convenient, frequent or far-reaching enough to be a legitimate option for people who would otherwise drive. RTA must be a part of our efforts to transform transportation in Massachusetts,4023 much of the state won't be able to move away from our current car-centric system if we don't improve its accessibility of this. To make this vision a reality, we have to modernize RTA service and4032 make it more attractive for people to ride.
Experience around the world, our country and our state suggest that reducing fares is making them free and significantly increases ridership. In fact, Massachusetts has already started experimenting with therapy services. As has been mentioned, multiple RTA establish a fare-free program during the covid 19 pandemic and although only the WRTAs favourite policies continued, both of these efforts were successful increasing transit ridership. This legislation would help put RTAs on the path to more accessible trans service by establishing a one-year pilot program for RTAs to run fare-free service on at least one high ridership route.
Not only would this improve our rider's access to essential resources, it will also improve public health and our efforts to combat climate change, for millions of reasons. I hope that you will report these bills favourably out of committee and thank you again for your time and the opportunity to speak. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Oh, thank you. Thank you for your testimony here today.
Next to the committee. Um, sorry, were there any questions for many members of the committee Mary nine will move right along. Next. The committee will take the testimony of Adam cycling
from the riders action Council of Horsemen. Hi, and
[ADAM T(CONCERNED CITIZEN):] [HB3403] [SB2340] [SB266] Thank you for your time. To the Chairs, Strauss and Boncore and I'd also like to thank David LeBoeuf and the others for the technical details which they gave concerning S 2340 and H 3403, an act relative to fair free buses. I'm very much in support of both those bills. I'll also be talking a little about S 2266, an act relative to transportation governance. I'm a bus rider and I've been an advocate for better buses for a while here in Worcester let me just say that asking individual passengers to pay a fare is an extraordinarily wasteful way to produce revenue. Now, not only does4141 the farebox recovery ratio produce an inaccurate picture of the health of the system, it actually contributes to a death spiral, which has seen dwindling ridership in every cycle that it has been used. It's the tool that's used to punish the RTAs for ridership lost through no fault of the RTA itself.
Now, a fare-free system funded by a guaranteed revenue stream would allow the RTAs to plan for the future without worrying that they'll be cut off at the knees at the beginning of each fiscal year. Now, none of this would have ever happened if the boards that govern the RTA had proper representation from those of us4178 who actually use the buses. Primarily, I'm talking about4182 writers, but others who have been left out of policy decisions include employers, housing advocates and those of us who would ride the bus if we could, but we don't have that option. Now, currently, none of these stakeholders has an adequate voice in the planning processes.
The RTA Charter is an antique, it interferes not only with the needs of the people of Massachusetts but also with the stated goals of the commonwealth, reducing our carbon budget, clearing traffic congestion through more efficient use of a finite resource, our roads and lastly, the development of our towns and cities beyond the reach of the MBTA. Correctly funding an inclusive bus system is the best investment, in my opinion, it's the most bang for a buck that the legislature can make. So I'm very much hoping that these bills can be reported out of committee favourably and thank you for your time. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
4234
4234 Thank4234 you. Thank you for testifying again this week. Any questions are concerned stomach from the committee?
Mhm. Okay. Hearing that um next the committee will take the testimony of nancy Gare Coulson who also testified last week is here again. Okay. So yes, it is a bit of deja vu.
[NANCY GULCOSIN(CONCERNED CITIZEN):] [HB3403] [SB2340] Good afternoon. I'm Nancy Gulcosin from oyster and I'm here to support and act for fare free buses across the commonwealth. That will be H 3403 and S 2340. Simply put is the right time for these programs. In Oyster, we currently have a zero-fare but we call them zero fair, not fare-free4275 interchangeable terms and power transit services until4277 the end of the year. As a rider with a mobility disability, I am a direct beneficiary of these programs. In May 2019, Tom Quinn from the Oyster Regional Research Bureau published a study showing how Oyster could possibly make the zero affairs happen. Surprisingly, farebox revenues were only 8% or roughly three million of the total makeup of the budget.
The response from the WRTA was mixed as needs were already scraped and bruised from pleading with legislators and Mass DOT for an increase or level funding to their current budgets. While a worldwide pandemic is never the way you wish to get something done, it did make the free fare happen. Primarily seen as a measure with riders for safety to the drivers, there was rear boarding and then the current method of learning in the front and exiting from the rear, which was again less interaction with the drivers and preventing the farebox, Congo line. Kazakh money and ARPA funds have been a godsend to the WRTA keeping them afloat during this challenging time but knowing that all good things must come to an end, this still was the unanswered question of how would this get paid?
Tom Quinn published an addendum in November 2020 showing how more than 40 communities across the country are making it happen. Free fare is here in Massachusetts is ripe for the picking to4367 make this happen and take the lead to show that it can go from pilot programs to an established statewide system. Thank you for your time. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to testify before the committee today. If there are any questions from committee members Harrington again, thank you for your testimony. Exit committee will hear the testimony of Miss Ann Borrow
Is that a bureau?
Yeah. Yeah, that's correct. Um, Thank you so much. The committee. I'm very grateful to be here. Um,
[ANNE BORROW(WRTA COALITION):] [HB3526] [HB3403] [SB2340] Thank you to the Chairs of the committee for the opportunity to provide public testimony. I'm here to support Bill's H 3526, an act relative to low-income transit fares and S 2340 and H 3403, an act relative to fare free buses. I remember I am a member of the Worcester zero fare WRTA coalition. These bills address a wide range of inequalities in our system. Worcester has piloted zero affairs since the beginning of Covid and now we have a fare free suspension until December 31st and it's shown to be a great method to encourage people to get back on the buses. It has assisted essential workers and other families hard hit during the time of the covid, as we transition back to normalcy and the economy recovers.
It has led to an increase in ridership and greater efficiency and timeliness in the running of our system. But beyond Covid, many bus riders are essential workers, most are low income residents. The cost of transportation is very prohibitive per person's paycheck when you take into account stagnated wages and the number of rides needed to get to different destinations and the number of children you may have with you. We also know as people have mentioned that the collection affairs is a small percentage of needed revenue for the buses. When fare ridership goes down, when fares increase, ridership goes down, so it's not worth it to increase the fares.
Zero fare in short is one of the easiest ways of addressing financial hardship and economic and racial inequalities in our towns and cities. Plus fare collection is costly. It takes time. It affects the efficiency of the system and causes ongoing delays as we've mentioned. There is widespread support in Worcester across many organizations including the Worcester Chamber of Commerce, the United Way and many, many other organizations and city leaders and we're here to support the zero fare Bill today. Thank you so much. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony, Miss Barrow. Any questions from the committee?
Okay. Moving on. Next. The committee will hear the testimony of terry Cherry.
Can you hear me now?
I'm so sorry because it went mute again.
[TERRY CHERRY(1199 SEIU):] My name is Terry Cherry, I'm a member of 1199 SEIU. The group, the part that I'm involved in is the PCA and if it wasn't for the zero fares, these4550 people that are essential workers wouldn't have been able to get there to take care of our elderly and disabled. We lost so many people during that period because of the people we do take care of that.4572 A lot of PCAs4573 had to go out and get two or three jobs just to make the hours they were working before Covid. I know one girl, in particular, that has to do eight buses a day to make 40 hours a week. And we've been out there a long time fighting and trying to do the right thing but unless we have zero fare for a continued period of time as I said, I'm from Worcester, it's worked out well. We've seen increases in bus ridership.
We've seen buses feed on more time. We've actually added buses on routes now all through with zero fare,4609 we have to make sure these things continue simply because we want everybody to go back to work and we're working for that. But it means the ability to have to work maybe two or three weeks before you receive a paycheck. How are you supposed to pay for something? You have a job, that's what we all want but if you don't have the money to pay for fare to get there, you won't have the job long. I mean, we have tried so hard in this city to make it work. We're out there getting free advertisements for our Worcester transit so that people will be more aware of how many more buses are free.
One of the things that are going to help this program work is a simple effect that everybody knows about it. I have been doing this for 30 years and we went through heck plus two years and if it wasn't for the part of the pandemic because we lost our cabs for the people that didn't drive, we had no options but to get these buses to take care of our people who needed us and I support this, I support the bill and if it's worked in Worcester, which is a pretty tough place to make things work. It can work across the city, and the state and we don't need a pilot program because we've done the pilot program here in Worcester and we can show that we increased our ridership.
We can show that people were out there doing what they needed to and with the approach of school and children needing to be taken to school by the appearance before they go to work, we still need to continue zero-fare and that's why we fought so hard to get until December but it's been almost a year of moisture. So that's long enough to say it's a pilot program and it has worked. It was Regional Transit authority can add buses instead of cutting service, it has to be working. I want to thank you so much for listening to me and please do everything in your power to get these bills passed because we still need the extra help to get everybody back out into the workforce, getting them back into schools.
I thank you so much for letting me speak and please understand that it affects people who work too and it affects the disabled, affects the elderly, but it4801 also affects the people that work at jobs that may not pay a great deal of money but they still want to go back to work and I don't know if they'll be able to if we don't have grief is for a while longer. We'd like to see a permanent and there are always of doing it. I thank you again for your time and I'm sorry if I took too much time. I appreciate all your help and the fact that we need this to be done. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you. Mr Cherry. Uh, Thank you for your testimony. Is there any members of the committee for many questions? Okay. Hearing none out of order. I see that Representative Adrian Maduro has joined the committee.
Uh So next we'll take the testimony of Representative Madaro
[REP MADARO:] [HB3526] Thank you, Chairman Boncore and members of the committee. I join you today in support of H 3526, an act relative4855 to low-income transit fares. Our public transit system is relied on by countless residents across the commonwealth. Use our buses, subway trains and ferries on a daily basis to get to work, go to school, make doctor's appointments, run errands and travel around the cities and communities they live in. Although we saw a temporary decrease in ridership during the covid 19 pandemic, ridership has been steadily returning to pre covid numbers. But even during the pandemic, some lines saw less of a decrease than others. In my district of East Boston, ridership on the blue line remains so steady throughout the pandemic that the MBTA actually had to reverse their plan, service cuts just to keep up with4881 demand.
Many of the people who continue to ride public transit during the4883 pandemic did so because they had no other choice, they didn't have the luxury of working from home. As essential workers, their jobs required them to continue to go into work every day to keep the commonwealth running. Despite the praise that we've given essential workers throughout the pandemic, the4898 fact remains that many of them, especially in the service in custodial industries, tend to be among the lowest income earners in the4905 commonwealth. For these low-income workers, public transportation has been a lifeline. The pandemic disproportionately burdened low income communities and communities of color, throwing many further into economic insecurity.
Many unemployed and even those who kept their jobs were hit hard by4922 economic, by the economic effects of covid. Even before the pandemic, low income riders were struggling to afford bus and train fares, especially in light of fare increases4930 on the MBTA in recent years. This legislation would require the MBTA to implement a low income fair program to provide free or discounted fare options to qualifying riders and provide assistance to RTAs across the commonwealth to implement similar programs throughout their systems. In implementing low-income fares, the bill requires the MBTA to develop stakeholder engagement plans, provide opportunities for public input, as well as conducting a full implementation analysis that will examine eligibility for the4956 program, cost the amount of discount and writing benefits.
Reducing or eliminate fares for low income riders would ensure that those who need public transit most are able to access it at rates affordable to them. Additionally, it would also drive up the use of public4973 transit and encourage more workers to use the system to travel to and from their jobs4978 and other appointments, thus reducing vehicular congestion on our roads. Our public transportation system is critical to an equitable recovery from the pandemic. This legislation would help to address longstanding inequalities exacerbated by covid through making public transit more affordable to those who4993 need it most. Luckily, most of the groundwork for this bill has already been done.
The language of this bill is essentially identical to that passed by the General court at the end of the last session in the transportation bond bill. It was only foiled by the Governor's veto and unfortunate timing. With all due respect to the Governor, I disagree with that, I think this legislation is more important now than ever to increase access to public transportation. I ask that the committee report this bill out favorably, and I encourage the Legislature to pass this once again to guarantee affordable transit and mobility to residents across the commonwealth. Thank you for taking time to hear my testimony and thank you for taking me out of5035 turn. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Representative Good to see you today. Next. The committee5038 will hear the testimony of Nevada. That's all I have is signed up auto. The U. K.
Mhm.
It doesn't look like that person is present so we'll move on. The committee will5049 hear the testimony of the Falmouth Transportation Management Committee and Edward Dewitt.
Okay,
[EDWARD DEWITT(FALMOUTH TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE):] [SB2361] Thank you, Senator. I speak in support of Senate 2361, Senator Moran's bill and5069 I thank her for filing the bill. I was formerly the Falmouth Representative to the steamship authority. 20 years ago, Governor Cellucci appointed the New Bedford, Cape and Islands Ferry Service Taskforce and one of the conclusions of that task force was that the mainland port towns were overburdened at that point 20 years ago and in off Cape Court was both necessary and5105 inevitable. In those 20 years, traffic and burdens in the port communities has grown and intensified and there has been no permanent off Cape Court established.
Largely, this is because of the the way the votes are tallied and the priorities of the steamship authority to serve the islands. I think Senator Moran's amendment to the enabling act requires better cooperation amongst all of the poor communities and I think we'll take the steamship authority one step farther towards an off Cape Port and its regional responsibilities in transportation. I hope this bill gets a favorable report. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Mr Duet. Any questions comments from the committee,
Harrington Next. The committee will hear the testimony of john. Would Well, Mr Wood. Well,
[JOHN WOODWELL(CONCERNED CITIZEN):] [SB2361] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm here to support Senate Bill 2361 concerning municipal equity and steamship authority operations although my support for reform is far broader than the bill. The Steamship authority was established to facilitate reliable transportation to the island's core principles, reliable transportation or redundancy and resiliency and efficiency. Where travelers have many alternatives for getting from here to there. Instead of using its legal authority to do that, the steamship authorities used its legal power to force virtually all travelers onto its own boats. Two decades ago, the Steamship authority killed off a competing passenger, vehicle and freight service from New Bedford.
Since then, the steamship authority has also sued and stopped a freight shipper from others more competitive than5230 itself from expanding operations through New Bedford. Having used its legal power to kill off these competing services, the steamship authority now suggests that its own operations are,' a matter of life and death' for the islands. In order to survive, competitive businesses do the most with their limited resources, they aim to operate efficiently. The steamship authority works the other way around. It aims to amass the most resources it can to make itself as big as possible and threaten the taxpayers with a shakedown if any competing transportation service threatens its money stream. It is numb and deaf to any voice that challenges this hegemony over residents travellers and over taxpayers.
The steamship authority was built out of a 1950s model of oil fueled personal transportation that went obsolete in the 1970s with the first arab oil embargo. The steamship authority has shipped evermore cars into traffic jams on the5287 islands, cars that have paralyzed the public transportation systems there. The steamship authority is not developed in any meaningful way to meet transportation needs in the context of the 21st5300 century. There will be a right side of history and the wrong side of history with respect to the steamship authority and with respect to the development of a transportation system that works in the 21st century. Senator Cyr, Representative Fernandez, and Senator Moran, we will remember this moment, belated as it is and we are looking to you to help us lead the transition to the right side of history. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you.
Thank you for your testimony here today. Any questions from the committee members? It's not again, we appreciate your testimony, mister would. Well, next the committee will hear the testimony of William Palestine.
Mr Holstein is not present. So next on the sign up sheet is paul spooner from the Metro West Center for Independent Living. Mr spooner.
[PAUL SPOONER(METRO WEST CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING):] [HB356A] Thank you, Mr Chairman. My name is Paul Spooner, I am the Executive Director of the Metro West Center for Independent Living, one of 10 independent living centres serving individuals with disabilities across the commonwealth. I'm here to speak in favour of House Bill5375 356A, an act relative to representation for regional transit authorities. Let me state in advance that I'm a person with a disability who uses a power wheelchair. I've worked in the commonwealth for over really 40 years advocating for disability rights for people with disabilities.
One of the issues that we face is a number of things are fairly antiquated in structure and purpose5414 and that is the area I want to speak on regarding regional transit authorities. When they were first set up, representation was set up for individual towns that pay into the RTAs and so forth. I was5433 directly involved in helping to create the most recent RTA, the Metro West RTA and the Metro West Framingham region. And we really created an RTA that was fully accessible to everybody including mainline buses and paratransit. However, the statute governing RTAs that do not include any type of clear direction of representation from individuals with disabilities who make up the bulk of paratransit users.
Therefore this amendment, this house bill would in fact give the RTAs additional freedom to designate a representative from the community and more specifically in my view, from knowledgeable disability organizations such as independent living centres to effectively represent the needs of people with disabilities within their local RTA. This is long overdue, we need a seat at the table, our voices need to be heard and we want to be part of the solution, not just a bystander as we watch what goes on with our RTAs. I have over the years worked with Brockton area transit, Gatra and now Metro West. Transportation is an essential service for people with disabilities. Thank you, Mr. Chairman for your consideration of my comments. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. I appreciate your comments. Transportation is essential for people with disabilities, and mobility issues, so I appreciate your testimony here today. Um is there any questions from the committee um hearing? None. Thank you again. Mr5560 spooner. Next the committee will hear the testimony of Mr5566 Pete Wilson for Transportation massachusetts.
[PETE WILSON(TRANSPORTATION FOR MASSACHUSETTS):] [HB3526] Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee for holding this hearing today. My name is Pete Wilson and I know some of these comments have5582 been spoken before, but I'm going to reiterate some and focus on House Bill 3526. I am a senior adviser from the transportation for Massachusetts Advocacy Coalition, which is a coalition of more than 100 member and partner organizations with a stake in improving transportation across the Commonwealth.5607 Our coalition advocates at the state, federal and local levels for transportation policies that are innovative, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. We want transportation that strengthens our economy and our communities were also being safer, healthier, more affordable and accessible.
T4Mass strongly supports House Bill 3526, an act relative to low-income transit5655 fares filed by Rep Maduro. This bill requires the MBTA to implement a program to provide free or discounted transit fares to qualifying riders in all modes of transportation operated by the authority including bus, ferry and rail. To be clear, the MBTA does not need legislative approval to implement a means-tested fare program and the language of this bill is exactly the same language that was vetoed by the Governor from the transportation bond bill that was passed in January.
The Governor, meanwhile, has proposed a temporary two months sales tax holiday to help families in Massachusetts by giving them a 6.25% discount on goods under $2500. I would suggest that instead of forgoing $900 million in tax revenue that would help online retailers like Amazon, I would encourage the administration to implement a permanent low-income fare program on the MBTA immediately. We thank the Legislature for including this provision in the bond bill and we hope that you will report this bill out favourably for consideration by the full House and Senate. COVID-19 exposed inequalities in our society, including housing, workplace health care and transportation. Many of us were able to work from home to protect ourselves and our families from the virus.
Many essential workers continue to ride public transportation throughout the pandemic, and many of the essential workers also came from communities most adversely affected by covid and pollution from traffic congestion on our roadways. This bill would make our public transit system more equitable and5741 provide needed relief for those who need it the most. The low-income society has also been shown to increase transit use among those offering the discounts. A 2019 MIT study found that compared to the control group receiving only a Charlie card, participants receiving a 50% off discounted Charlie card took 30% more trips and took more trips to health care and social services and they also used the MBTA differently from the average transit rider.
Compared to the average rider, low-income individuals who participated in the study took more trips during off-peak times and relied more heavily on buses and the silver line, making more transfers first among modes from the subway to bus or from bus to bus and often paid more with the stored value card than a one day, seven day or monthly pass. These findings and the equities throughout the commonwealth that were exposed by the pandemic, make the case that the legislature must address the inequities in their transportation system to build back better. I urge the committee to report this bill out favourably and I thank you for your time and consideration. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you, Mr Wilson, thank you for your testimony before the committee today. Any questions from committee members?
Seeing none? Uh Again, thank you. Mr Wilson Next, the committee will hear the testimony of EDC. Are the Metro West Regional Transit Authority.
Yeah,
[ED CARR(METRO WEST REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY):] [HB3568] Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm here today to support an act H 3568 put forth by a representative Peisch from the Wellesley area for a relative to representation on the regional transit authorities. A previous speaker spoke about the importance of the disabled community to be part of decisions making, policymaking on the regional transit authorities. When Chapter 161B was created, the enabling5862 legislation for regional transit authorities, the spirit of it was that the5867 authorities would have local control and as you know, it's always been a struggle with the administration to maintain that control.
What I have learned over the years as an administrator was or5884 has been that the stronger your advisory board is, the more effective it is and in order to have a strong representative advisory5893 board, everybody must have a say in this. Almost half of our budget is dedicated to the disabled community with demand response yet. They really don't have a say5908 all the way the legislation is structured now. So we're asking for support for a slight change in the legislation allowing us an opportunity for more representation by the disabled community. Again, we5923 thank you for uh holding this hearing and we ask for a favourable recommendation of H 3568. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Yeah. Thank you. Mr Chairman, good5934 to see you again. Any questions from the committee? Are you okay? Well, thank you for your testimony today. Next the committee will hear the testimony with Mr Vincent. Lawrence Dickson.
It seems like Mr Dixon is not on the line so we'll move right along to chantel Alex.
Yeah,
chateau Alice
is um also not present. Um Next uh signed up to testify. Uh Mr Jonathan Goldman. Let's break the streak with the golden.
Well that's three in a row. Uh Next the committee will air from someone I'm sure is here. Mr brian can from the6008 Npt.
[BRIAN KANE(MBTA ADVISORY BOARD):] Thank you. Mr Chairman, I am indeed here. I appreciate the opportunity to testify and please express my thanks also to the rest of the committee members. I'm6026 going to testify with respect to the many bills filed on free and reduced fares, specifically for the MBTA. The advisory board is not opposed per see, we simply seek that they'd be paid for by an entity other than the MBTA which as the Chairman knows, is facing a massive operating budget deficit once federal recovery funds expire. That free and reduced fares have significant benefits. Is absolutely beyond doubt. The advisory board in fact funded the 2019 MIT study that was recently referenced, which shows that low-income riders take more trips.
There is no doubt that there are many, many benefits that will accrue if there are free and reduced fares for MBTA and its customers, we simply need to find a way to pay for it. Asking the T to pay for itself is simply not sustainable in the long run.6075 The MBTA's fiscal 22 operating budget is only balanced because of $665 million in federal funds recovery funds and this is true for the next two years as well. But due to ridership loss from the6084 pandemic, this year's budget is not balanced and unless there are ridership returns and I want to stress, their fare-paying ridership returns, the T faces an incredibly massive deficit. There will be 2-3 times the size of the forging ahead deficit that was tried to be filled with service cuts last winter.
The service cuts and layoffs that will be necessary to fund a $300,450 million dollar operating deficit the T are just frightening to think of and I'm sure none of us wants to go through that process again. Without a return of fare-paying writers, the T is looking at massive cuts and layoffs as I said. Considering removing revenue from6119 the MBTA from fares is perhaps not the wisest move at this time, while it's true that ridership would increase, it's also true that revenue would not increase, revenue is what is needed at this time. The advisory board has argued for increased sustainable funding for the MBTA to support increased and sustainable ridership for years. Additional revenue for its operating in its capital budget is what is needed, not programs that will by definition remove money from the T.
The conclusion, if the benefits that will undoubtedly accrue from such free and reduced-fare programs are worthy of enacting, are they also not worthy of being paid for by an entity that can actually afford to pay for them sustainably for more than just two years but T cannot afford such programs. I wish we lived in a place in a state where the transit authority was adequately funded and could fund these things, however,6169 it's simply not the case right now. If we want to see more public transportation ridership and the benefits that will come from more ridership, we need to get the T more money, not take away money, not take away its revenue. I urge you to properly fund the T so it can6185 deliver on its promises and I respectfully request that any legislation with respect to free or reduced fares at the very least have to go through a cost-benefit analysis so that we can actually know the cost to the MBTA. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony, mister Cain, is there any questions from the committee? MR Chairman?
If I may just a brief question. Yeah, Representative before.
[REP TUCKER:] Thank you, Mr. Kane. I appreciate that and you can understand the difficulty balancing all the issues here. I'm just wondering if you're aware and you may not be are there any transportation systems that are actually offering what some of the testifiers today, is there a model out there that we could look at that you're aware of?
[KANE:] There are many models representative even here in Massachusetts, but none that are not funded by someone else other than the transportation agency that I'm aware of. It really comes down to money at the end of the day. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Okay, thank you. I appreciate it. Thank you, sir.
Any other committee members have any questions?
Well, thank you again for your testimony again. Mr CAIN Next the committee will hear take the testimony of Damien Cutler,
Mr Castle present is not moving right along uh, melissa cross crops.
Yeah, hi, good afternoon.
[MELISSA KRAUS(ADL NEW ENGLAND):] [HB3547] [SB2261] Thank you so much for taking the time to listen to my testimony today. My name is Melissa Kraus and I am pleased to be here on behalf of ADL New England in support of H 3547 and S 2261, the fare Act. This bill seeks to make6268 key forms of public transit free on Election Day, closing the voter turnout gap and ensuring more equitable access to the polls for all. As you may know, ADL is a leading anti-hate and civil rights organization that has been working to secure justice and fair treatment for all since its founding in 1913, and we firmly believe that voting is the hallmark of our democracy, which depends on guaranteeing every voter an equitable and fair opportunity to cast a ballot free from structural inequities.
The fare Act is one such measure that will help make voting more accessible in our commonwealth so that all Massachusetts voters are able to exercise this fundamental right. It renders the bus, subway and trolley fairs, of all statewide transit authorities free of charge on primary and general election days and across the state, these regional transit authorities serve hundreds of millions of riders each year. So making these trusted modes of transportation free would therefore be a powerful tool to boost voter turnout on Election Day. This is particularly important because of the racial disparities evident in Massachusetts's current transit system, for example, statewide, 24% of people of colour lack access to a car compared to 9% of white residents and using public transit on election day than is necessary for many residents who wish to exercise their right to vote.
So this would help to reduce institutional and financial barriers currently in place, making Massachusetts elections both more equitable and more representative. Similar efforts have been successfully implemented in communities across the country, from San Diego to Dallas, Kansas City and Los Angeles County. By adopting the fare act, Massachusetts has the opportunity to become a national leader on this issue, sending a clear message that here in the commonwealth, our leaders are committed to providing all residents with a meaningful opportunity to cast their ballots.
Without these reforms, Massachusetts cannot say that it has done all that is necessary to ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote in the commonwealth free from discriminatory barriers. The fare Act is common sense legislation that will create a more just inclusive and welcoming commonwealth for all. So we urge you to report the fare Act out of committee in its entirety as quickly as possible. Thank you so much. Thank you. undefined
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you for your testimony. Uh there any questions from the committee members, herring now and again. Thank you for your testimony, taking the time today. Next, the committee will hear the testimony of Khalid Williams.
Mhm.
All right. Can everybody hear me? We can just fine.6486 Great. Thank you.6488 Uh So, good afternoon. Uh and
[COLLIQUE WILLIAMS(CLU):] [HB3526] Thank you, Chairman Boncore, Chairman Denvers and members of the committee for giving the opportunity to speak today on House Bill 3526, an act relative to low-income transit fares. My name is Collique Williams. I'm an organizer with Community Labour United or CLU. CLU brings together community and labour partners to speak in one voice on issues that impact working-class families. We represent over 100,000 working-class families throughout the greater Boston area. CLU also convenes the public Transit Public Good Coalition Partnership of Transit workers and riders throughout Massachusetts fighting for the future of public transit.
Today, I am here to convey the support of CLU and our labour and community partners in public transit Public Good Coalition for House Bill 3526. For years long comparison has been the priority of grassroots organizations and communities of colour as fares have risen over the years, these riders have had made to make impossible choices between basic needs, such as food and6545 shelter or their mobility. This has been the reality of folks even before the pandemic. Structural racism and economic exploitation have created deep inequalities in Massachusetts as elsewhere leaving working families and communities of colour struggling to make ends meet.
As much as our commonwealth has grappled with the noxious effects of racial and economic inequality, momentum has grown for a low-income fare. The same MIT study that was referenced before obviously shows the reductions and fare increase.6577 The number of riders that folks took, especially to health and social service appointments and the recently disbanded fiscal management Control board supported the establishment of a low-income fare. Even this legislative body passed the low-income fare as part of the transportation bond bill but it was vetoed by Governor Baker. We thank you for your past support for these vital measures.
It's clear that without a legislative mandate, Governor Baker and MBTA under his direction will delay and block these essential programs. The people struggling and suffering now are still clamouring for relief. They need a more affordable and equitable T. In this session, you all have the power to provide relief to riders who are struggling the most by reporting favourably H 3526. So we hope you move to do so and thank you for your time. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you Mr Williams. Uh, any questions from the committee members? If not again, we appreciate you taking the time to6634 testify today. Next, the committee will take the testimony of nancy Brumback and the League of Women voters of massachusetts.
But uh
there, can you hear me now? I can hear you just fine. Okay,
[NANCY BRUMBACK(LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS MASS LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE):] [HB3547] [SB2261] Thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of the Joint Committee on Transportation. I'm Nancy Brumback and vice-chair of the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts Legislative Committee. Today, the League is asking for your favourable consideration of H 3547, S 2261, the fare Act sponsored by Senator Boncore and Representative Frank Moran. This bill, as you've heard, would provide free Mass transit rides on the days of statewide primary and general elections. The first point6681 is that the requested free transit would not apply to every local and special election. Sometimes there seems to be five or six a year. We're asking for free transit only for the primary and general elections in the years we elected Governor or president, that's two days every two years.
6705 Second,6705 the State League, which has 47 local leagues in communities from Cape Cod to the Berkshires, probably some local leagues in your districts are particularly pleased that this is not a big city bill. It does not just cover Boston and Worcester. This bill will provide free service in 16 Mass transit districts statewide, from the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority6732 to the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, to the Greater Attleboro Taunton Regional Transit Authority, to the vineyard transit authority. Offering free fares on Election Day in all those mass transit districts would make it that much easier and therefore that much more likely that the people who use those services will get off at the polls and vote. Will the fare Act create a spike in voter turnout? Not by itself.
The fare Act is an incremental step toward increasing voter turnout but what the fare Act will do is to demonstrate to the people who ride those busses and subways and trolleys to work, to school, to the supermarket and yes to the polls that Massachusetts believes their vote is important. The League of Women voters urges the Joint Committee on Transportation to report the fare Act favourably and quickly. It is just one more way Massachusetts can show its determination to increase access to voting at a time when way too many states are headed in the opposite direction. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony here today. Do any committee members have any questions?
Mr Brownback Harrington, thank you again for your testimony. Moving right along. The committee will next take the testimony from the Coalition of Social Justice6834 and Mr BReanna Davis.
Its president
doesn't seem like Miss Davis is present. I am here. I'm sorry I was talking but I realized that I was new on this and not on my microphone. We do it all the time.
Uh so
[SABRINA DAVIS(COALITION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE):] [HB3526] [SB2340] [HB3403] My name is6857 Sabrina Davis, I work for the Coalition for Social Justice as their lead organizer on Environment and Transit. I'm also a part of the regional Transit Authority Advocate Coalition. I'm thankful for the chance to provide public health testimony today. I'm here to support Bills H 3526, an act relative to low-income fares and S 2340 and H 3403, an act relative to free bus fares. I want to tell you a bit of my story and hope that influences you to report favourably on this bill. I grew up in poverty surrounded by people who were in the same boat as me. I have a lot of stories in regards to the sacrifices we make living in poverty. I often had to make the difficult6929 choice of walking great distances in order to save money and the hardships I had6939 to face when I couldn't afford to take the bus.
Sometimes long walking and bad weather other times meant putting off important doctor's appointments. I remember when I started working for the Coalition for Social Justice as an intern part-time, they started to subsidize my bus pass and I can tell you what a relief it was that I no longer have to worry about the cost of public transit and what a load that lifted off of me. If you think about it, I don't know if fares are the same across the board in other RTA districts, I know mine was 1.50. It takes a minimum of two buses to get to where you need to go because first, you need to get to the terminal and if your destination is on the wrong route you will have to take another bus and that's quite an expense. Paying to go to work when you may not have the money to do that.
I can tell you how much food you can buy if you're careful, it's like something like 1250 if you were to go from home to work and back again even with the free transfers if you worked staring at a five-day week work schedule and when you're working poor, that's quite a bit of money and it was just so difficult to manage that on such a small budget. So I really hope that you will consider reporting favourably on these bills and improve the quality of life of the working poor and those who live in poverty. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you Miss Davis. Thank you for having the courage to come before7108 the committee today and share your story. Provides a background for bibles like this. Are important. Are there any questions or comments from committee members?
Alright hearing none. Thank you again for your testimony. Next the committee will hear the testimony of Olivia Nichols from Green notes.
Mhm.
Hello, can you hear me? Hello. Hi uh
[OLIVIA NICHOLS(GREEN ROOTS):] [HB3526] Thank you to members of the joint committee7143 for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Olivia Nichols, I'm a transit rider and I am the transit justice organizer with the organization Green Roots. Green Roots is also a member of the public Transit Public Good Coalition. I'm here today in support of H 3526, an act relative to low-income transit. There is which you've heard a lot of support for already but I just7168 wanted to share a bit about our organization. Green Roots is a community organization based in the environmental justice communities of Chelsea and East Boston, which are also majority low-income communities of colour. 24% of Chelsea residents live below the7186 poverty level and in neighbouring East Boston, 17% of residents live below the poverty level as well.
And the transit services that run through these communities,7197 such as the Blue Line, which Rep Madaro referenced the 111, 116 and 117 buses, these transit services carry some of the highest volumes of ridership across the MBTA service area and during the pandemic, these very high levels of ridership definitely remained as we all saw, which demonstrated just how heavily our residents rely on these critical transit lines. So as a community organizer, I7224 talk with riders at bus stops around the city about how the ability to move around the city or to other cities with your family should be an efficient experience and not a burden to someone and that burden that people currently face is not just the amount of time it can take folks to plan out their trips, but also it's the daily cost of fares.
Many members of transit reliant communities like Chelsea and East Boston already benefit from other reduced fare programs like the senior charlie card and the youth pass as examples. And so I just want to emphasize that it has been a long past time that the MBTA to implement a low-income fair program to serve people who fall in between these age ranges. So lastly, I just want to thank the committee for sending a previous version of this legislation to the Governor's desk earlier this year, and knowing that the Governor's veto of that legislation makes it more urgent than ever that legislators stand behind groups like ours this session by calling for the passage of H7293 3526, an act relative to low income for transit fares. Thank you for allowing me the chance to testify. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. MR goals. Any questions from the committee committee members, um hearing none. Moving down the list. Next. The committee will hear the testimony of Johannes empty of7315 the Conservation Law Foundation. Yeah.
Okay. Mhm.
[JOHANNES HUBERT EPKE(CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION):] [HB3526] [HB3403] [SB2340] Thank you so much, Mr. Chair for the opportunity to testify and for your endurance this afternoon in this hearing, my name is Johannes Hubert Epke. I'm a staff attorney at Conservation Law Foundation, based in Boston and I'm speaking today in support of bills on low-income fares and fare-free pilot programs including House 3526 and Senate 2340, House 3403, the act relative to low and compares and act relative to fair free buses. The inequities built into our transportation system over the last century or more have been made very visible throughout the pandemic with communities of colour, enduring crowded service, poor air quality and resulting high covid 19 death rates.
We think the transportation policies of Massachusetts must redress this harm for overburdened and underserved communities in the recovery. As others have testified too, fare reductions would result in ridership increases, which is really critical because even the MBTA's most optimistic outlook doesn't anticipate ridership reaching pre-pandemic levels for five years. So just specifically in support of Rep Madaro's Bill 3526 on the cost question, the MBTA estimated in 2019 that low-income fares would constitute about 4% of the overall revenue for the year, which is a relatively small percentage compared to the benefits that riders would realize. In that same report, the MBTA noted that low-income fares could potentially increase revenue as a result of increased ridership.
On the fare-free bus pilot programs, I just wanted to emphasize the example raised in earlier testimony that Worcester went through during the pandemic and would love to see the expansion of that successful7440 pilot and note that the MBTA estimates for fare-free bus service are pretty broad, the cost estimates there and so a pilot is necessary to understand the impacts, both on revenue but also on ridership and potential new capital costs. I'll wrap up7463 by addressing that concern again about the cost of this and who pays for this as raised in earlier testimony and to emphasize that a progressive revenue source or sources are really needed to meet both and already underfunded transportation systems needs7479 as well as these new measures.
And so we would advocate that a transportation revenue policy should try to simultaneously make the tax system fare so that higher-income folks are paying a larger share of the cost as well as make the transportation system more equitable and sustainable by setting better incentives for riders. Just to provide some context on that revenue question, some napkin math suggests that the proposed $1 increase for TNC fees for Uber and Lyft rides for example could generate between about 50 and $110 million for7513 transportation in the commonwealth which is very comparable to the costs we are looking at for fare modifications. So I will just close by again thanking the committee and Mr. chair for the opportunity to testify and to advocate that the committee report H 3526 and H 3403 out favourably. Thank you so much. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Well, thank you, thank you for your patience today. Um Any committee members have any questions? SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Okay, well thank you7568 again for your testimony today. Next the committee will hear the testimony of uh given Sobrinho wheeler from Cambridge city council.
Mr. Wilders not with us right now. Um If he does come on, we'll give another opportunity. Um Next listen, I'm a sign up sheet is leon David in the office of senator. Nick Collins.
Been in texas
mr David.
But
okay, I think we'll come back to mr David. Next, the committee will hear the testimony of Julia Wallace from winter massachusetts. Mhm.
Hi everyone. Sorry, thank you. Yes, Julia Wallace from with the massachusetts uh as well as from the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy I. T. D. P. Um
[JULIA W(???):] [HB3526] Good afternoon, everyone. Chair Straus and Boncore. Thanks for holding this hearing today. I'm going to keep my comments fairly short. A lot of my colleagues7655 have been here today and there's a lot to echo for sure. But just to be clear, I'm here to support House Bill 3526, an act relative to low-income transit fares filed by Rep Madaro. IGDP is an international organization. We work with cities around the world on sustainable and equitable transport solutions and offering means-tested are low-income fares has long proven to be an effective, one very effective strategy for particularly for making transit more accessible to people who stand to benefit from it the most and for increasing ridership throughout the day so not just at7686 peak hours when crowding can be a concern.
We came so close to bringing the benefits of low-income fares to7693 our communities of colour and low wage workers here in Massachusetts when it was included as part of the transportation bond bill in a provision that was as you know, unfortunately, vetoed by7703 Governor Baker. I'm joining my partners at the Transit Essential Coalition today to ask for your support again and the reason for that is simple. In addition to the fact that fare discounts increased ridership, especially during off-peak times, and that the public supports low and compares by a margin of 2-1, we realize now that a program like this simply will not happen without a legislative mandate.
We have seen more clearly than ever throughout the pandemic just how critical transit, especially bus transit is for our essential workers, many of whom are low-income people of colour and we have every reason to reduce that cost burden of simply showing up to work for critical industries like healthcare and food service and this bill will make that happen. More and more transit agencies across the nation, not to mention across the world are advancing low-income fare programs and some are removing fares altogether as I know you are considering today as well as a means of making transit more affordable and more appealing to people, thus addressing equity gaps7762 and reducing dangerous vehicular emissions that accelerate climate change. If LA Metro can do it, the MBTA can too. Please give Massachusetts the mandate it needs to bring low-income fares to the transit riders who need them most by supporting house bills 3526 today. Thank you very much. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. I couldn't agree more and I think we have put a legislative mandate on this in the last session. Um and I'm hoping the committee will do the same in this session. Um So are there any questions for many of the committee members at this point?
Okay. Hearing none. Thank you Miss wallet for your comments and thank you all. Oh, hello. We had one more person who was supposed to speak.
Um uh we're just gonna move down the list of people. Oh sure, I'm sorry, sorry. Okay. Um Next the committee will hear the testimony of Mr Andre Larue from Massing.
[ANDRE LARUE(MASS INC):] [HB3526] [HB3403] [SB2340] Good afternoon and thank you Mr chairman and members of the committee. My name is Andre LaRue undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined undefined and I lead the transit-oriented development project at Mass Inc. I'm here today to express strong support for H 3526 and act relative to low-income transit fares and to urge you to report the bill out favourably7842 on an expedited basis. I certainly won't argue with the fact that the state needs more transportation revenue, but it is unconscionable that the MBTA has not yet implemented a low-income fare program, despite even the T zone Control Board directing staff over the last several years to make it a priority. The administration has so7860 far failed to coordinate the state agencies needed to get it done.
There's no reason an existing program couldn't form the basis for eligibility for a low-income fare. This isn't something that the MBTA should build from scratch themselves because their existing discount programs are outdated and inefficient with the T relying on photocopies, hand-filled forms and manually inputting data but let me focus on commuter rail specifically and the notion that low-income fares always lose money. Before the pandemic, the MBTA estimated that just 2000 low-income riders utilized commuter rail because it's so expensive. Well, the price of a monthly pass, is over $400 per month For many residents, you could at least a brand new vehicle.
There are hundreds of thousands of low-income residents in gateway cities around Massachusetts and even if they paid heavily discounted fares, these new riders would provide additional revenue for the system. So please let's report this bill out favourably as quickly as possible so that a program can be rolled out as early as 2022 and let's not lose another year. I'd also like to express my support for H 3403 and S 2340 pertaining to fare-free buses. Specifically, I believe that regional transit authorities are ideal candidates for zero-fare programs and now is the time to implement them.
First, we want to incentivize riders to come back to transit following the pandemic. Ridership remains low and there's plenty of service capacity to absorb more ridership. Zero fare programs are proven to be the most important thing medium-sized transit systems can do to boost ridership in a significant way. We've heard some examples already, from Lawrence grew its ridership by more than 20% of three months. Olympia Washington increased ridership by 35%. Corvallis Oregon increased by 40% in its first year7967 and during the pandemic, the Worcester RTA retained 50 to 75% more of its ridership than other RTAs during the pandemic because of its zero fair programs.7978
Secondly, it puts money directly into the pockets of some of the poorest seniors and families in the state. The city of Lawrence estimates that 90% of the people using its free bus routes have an annual income of less than $20,000. Many of them are seniors on a fixed income or essential service workers and that can represent $62,000 a month that can be used for food and medicine. Third, and this was shocking to me when I learned it fares cover less than 15% of most annual RTA budgets and some may even lose money by collecting bus fares so comparatively, it's inexpensive for the state to make RTA's full. Finally, Gateway cities need strong transit systems to attract more jobs, housing and small businesses and people and drivers and businesses really love fair free buses. So thank you for your attention and your work on these bills. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony here uh at this hearing. Uh Do any of the committee members have any questions or comments that mr lucero?
Okay, well hearing none again. Thanks for your testimony.
Next. The committee will hear the testimony of Lynn Doris. Oh what's the writer?
Doesn't seem like Miss Doris is with us at this time. So we'll move on to nellie medina for math, jobs for justice.
Thank you for your patience. Hello everybody
[NELLIE MEDINA(MASS JOBS TO JUSTICE):] [HB3526] [HB3403] [SB2340] Thank you to the chairs of the committee for the opportunity to provide my personal testimony. I'm here to support House Bill8077 3526, an act relative to low-income transit fares, House Bill 3403, an act relative to fair free buses and then Senate Bill 2340, an act relative to fare-free buses. Good afternoon. My name is Nellie Medina, I'm the Central Mass regional organiser for Massachusetts jobs to justice, but I'm also the lead organizer for the Massachusetts job to the justice parent program and a coordinator for the Community United. So as a mom and a student who rode the bus to and from college with my young son for four years, I'm here also on behalf of my relatives and people in the community who rely on free public transportation.
8123 Before8123 the pandemic, local organizers and legislators have advocated for access to zero-fare rights for the city's residents, city buses must be more affordable. Public transportation is too expensive for cities with low income and student populations and people who work hard to reduce their carbon footprint. I want to share my story, so as a parent like me who once made $12,000 a year, I was taking two buses to and from school and work for $2.50 a ride made up to $10 a day,8154 $50 a week, $200 a month. I had $2,400, the equivalent of 20% of my income riding city buses and then another 30% of my income paying rent.
So a person living below the poverty rate in Worcester and throughout the state of Massachusetts is spending more than half of their income on shelter and public transportation alone, which is unbelievable. The Worcester RTA is expensive for those who are depending on taking buses every day. For individuals recovering from job loss, poverty, homeless or the disabled accessible, free and reliable transportation8187 could be a lifeline for them. I myself remember sometimes not having enough money for the bus, I'd have to, you know, skip school and not sent my son to daycare and I was working hard. I did all I could do, but I had to choose between college and working and I think I made the right decision.
So I'm8209 asking this committee to do the right thing to keep fares accessible and free for those of us who depend on city buses. It's important that we provide a way for the people in the communities that are underserved to make their way out of poverty and free transportation is a good place to start. So I thank you again for allowing me to tell my personal story even after talking about it two years later, it's still quite painful and it's a reality for all of us. To some, it might seem that it's just transportation, but to others, it's a lifeline away to work in school, to grocery stores the doctor. So please keep this in mind when you're making your decisions. I would like to thank Representative LeBoeuf for advocating on our behalf. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Well, thank you MS medina thank you for your willingness to come forward and your courage to again have to share your story again. Uh remind everyone listening that the chairman and I thought the low income fairs are a wonderful idea and included them in the Transportation Bond Girl. Unfortunately, his excellency, the governor uh, thought otherwise. But again, thank you for sharing your personal story today. It goes a long way with committee members to hear from someone who's lived experience. Um, and we appreciate it. Thank you stomachs me emotional to this day.
Hopefully we won't have to have this conversation again next year in this committee. Uh, there any other questions comments from members of the committee8283 hearing? None. Thanks again for your testimony. Lastly signed up anyway, on the list, the committee will take the testimony of Mila Bush Miles from alternatives for community and environment
doesn't seem that. Oh, I am here, but I was having difficulty activated my microphone. All right, well we can hear you loud and clear now. Excellent. I can't open my camera. I don't think that I will do my best to get my testimony in at this point in time.
[MELA BUSH MILES(TRANSIT ORIENT DEVELOPMENT):] [HB3526] [HB3403] My name is8314 Mela Bush Miles, and I am the director of transit-oriented development I also direct the T riders Union at alternatives for community and the environment, ACE. I want to thank the respected members of the state legislator and this transportation hearing for all the work that has been done to compose and support these bills and I ask you to please report these bills favourably as8348 we progress towards passage for the good of the people in the commonwealth, the time is now. ACE for the past 28 years has been leading the fight for environmental, climate and transportation justice and the T riders union organizers, writers of the MBTA to stand up for their rights to a just and equitable public transit system, which is paid for by our taxes, fares and more.
I'm here to support H 3526 and H 3403. Public transit is a public good and should serve the public in the8380 way that police and firefighters and other public services8382 do. We as the riding public, have the right to expect transportation, which is on time, clean and non-polluting to our communities and our bodies. We support free public transportation because this will serve to stop the criminalization and economic burden of T riders. Lower-income transit-dependent, frequent white8398 writers of the T living in environmental justice communities have historically had to suffer through frequent fare increases and surcharges, which caused them to pay more than others on a day to day basis because fare payment media charlie cards and reload machines were unavailable in these communities, for the most part, riders were forced to pay more to travel to stations to reload their charlie cards or purchase weekly or monthly passes at kiosks that did not exist in these communities.
They were also surcharged for paying cash on board when they did not have a charlie card from the years 2006 until 2020, 14 years of injustice, this money could have gone to other parts of their budget to buy food or to pay8451 rent, et cetera. Having no other choice, some riders even attempted to ride without paying and were charged with fare evasion and draconian fines of up to $600 for not paying a mere $1.70 or $2.42 cents to board MBTA vehicles. This injustice needs to be rectified and three fears can bring relief to these economically overburdened riders. We also support discount fare passes for low-income buyers being implemented now. And some of my colleagues have stated earlier that that could be8486 paid for with a TNC piece of a dollar and that would provide the revenue to support these programs.
This is the first step as a means to bring relief to these riders as we work towards three fears for all in Massachusetts. The last thing I would say is the other bill around governance which would add a community voice, EJ Community voice as well8511 as a labour voice to the MBTA board of directors so that things like uh suspended routes and fare increases in things, there would be a voice there to avoid the issues of having to reinstate services because there was no one there to8535 speak up and to give a different perspective on why these things should not have occurred in the8542 first place. Thank you for allowing me to speak, I ask that you report these bills favourably out of committee and thank you for this opportunity to have a great day. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you, Miss Miles and you'll be happy to hear that. Last week the governor signed the supplemental budget which included a governance peace or got in the NPT Border directors. That includes SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
the Transportation Committee
uh hearing? And I just wanted to say before we wrap up to my co chair, uh want to thank the members of the committee who participated today. Thank our legislative colleagues and members of the public. The testimony helps us collectively in our work, but I would say even if you did testify, uh it may occur to you later that there was a point you should have made or you wish you had said so even if you did testify, feel free to make use of the written comment opportunity for the next two weeks uh to uh submit by email or postal service,8677 uh, further comments8679 on the bills we took up today. That's all I would add. Let's try to move that. We adjourn this committee there. Uh is there a second?
I feel in here, I feel in here seconds all in favor, aye,
we are adjourned. Thank you to everyone for for being here today on this hearing. See you later.
Uh huh.
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