An Embarrassment to the Commonwealth

General Manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is an unenviable position under the best of circumstances. Throw in seven feet of snow, subzero temperatures, and freezing winds, and the job becomes as rocky as a ride from Riverside to Park Street to Alewife.

Current GM Beverly Scott, who submitted her resignation last week, discovered the harshness of this reality over the past three weeks as record levels of snowfall derailed commuter rail and subway services and buried the MBTA in a predictable mountain of condemnation. Scott absorbed the brunt of public frustration. Critics highlighted her lack of communication with Governor Charles D. Baker ’79 and the general disarray of the system. Last Wednesday, Scott caved to the criticism and announced that she would step down from her post in April.

The scapegoating of Scott is a shame. Given the “act of God” proportions of recent weather, it is wrongheaded to punish Scott for latent deficiencies that preceded her tenure at the MBTA and exceeded her economic wherewithal.

In the eyes of some, Scott’s decision to stop subway services without consulting a Governor Baker was unforgiveable; in truth, lack of interaction with Baker is a peccadillo at worst. In recent weeks, Baker has communicated sufficiently through Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack, and besides, if weather conditions threaten commuter safety, then it’s the job of the GM to make a final decision.

While Scott hardly deserved the criticism she received, the basic truth is that the MBTA failed at a time when commuters most needed the benefit of public transportation. Blame must be apportioned, but it would be more appropriate to fault the system itself, rather than vilifying a GM who has been in charge of the MBTA for only two years.

The MBTA in general, and the T in particular, is an embarrassment to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The oldest subway line in the United States has long shown its age, with some Red Line cars approaching their 50th birthdays. Other lines—such as the Green Line—are outdated in design and consistently provide creaky, slow, and subpar service. Moreover, in 2010, the MBTA reportedly had $3 billion worth of backlogged repairs; today the system still labors under a multi-billion dollar debt.

As depressing as this dollar-and-cents depiction is, the woes of the MBTA concern more issues than just that of economic vitality. If Massachusetts wishes to regain its reputation for egalitarianism and environmental commitment, then the state must maintain an effective and efficient public transportation system.

A major increase in funding is the most obvious and effective way to attack these problems, which is why Governor Baker’s proposed $14 million reduction in MBTA funding should merit skepticism. Massachusetts may be facing a short-term deficit, but cutting public transportation is not a valuable solution. Improvements to the MBTA have too often been stalled by political concerns, stymied by regional desires triumphing over the best interest of the state.

It is unacceptable that in a city as advanced as Boston, severe weather can knock out public transportation for up to 30 days. Such a troubled situation requires money and legislative commitment. Let us hope that Beacon Hill can put politics aside and help the MBTA move forward more effectively than its trains.