I had lunch today with Eric Bourassa from MassPIRG, to talk about the Governor's new transportation plan, and the chances that the parts of it that would help the MBTA avoid a significant fare increase and severe service cuts would pass.  Eric believes that the plan, which calls for a 19¢ gas with 6¢ going to the MBTA to "preserve current MBTA services and prevent a fare increase," may not pass unless T riders can be persuaded — in good numbers and short order — to come out and support it.

The problem is, there are plenty of interests across the state that are more organized and vocal, who are rallying against the plan itself, or parts of it that would pass funds on to the MBTA.  If there is to be a 16¢ gas tax, some argue, why shouldn't it all go to the roads rather than the rails?  Governor Patrick, to his credit, recognizes that mass transit is vital to the economic health of the whole state, that the economic center can't hold without it.

If the plan is gutted, that 6¢ for the MBTA taken out of it, we're looking at a 30% fare increase come July, along with 50% service cuts evenings and weekends.  Let me repeat that, for those who missed it:


This will impact everyone who relies on the MBTA, from Boston's students and professionals, to low-income second- and third-shift workers who have no other means of getting to and from work.  And it really could spell the end to mass transit as we know it in Metro Boston.

I have always felt that affordable fares were a social justice issue, and for those of you who shrug at higher fares because you feel you can afford them, the fact that so many whose livelihoods depend on a functional mass transit system can't should be political motive enough to protest another round of staggering increases.

T riders are noted for their passivity.  Whether mass transit is the cause or merely the beneficiary of their docility is a chicken-and-egg best left to the experts.  It's not a problem , except for times like now, when just a brief show of mass support could ensure the passage of a transportation plan that could benefit them, the city, and the state.

So what can you do? 

• As always: call or write your representative on Beacon Hill, and tell them you support Governor Patrick's Transportation and Economic Security Plan, especially the 6¢ of the gas tax that goes to the MBTA to "preserve current MBTA services and prevent a fare increase."  You can find your state rep's email and phone number here. (After entering your information and clicking "find my election information" scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click on your Senator and Representative in General Court's links. If you email them, remember to include your name and address.  For more tips, visit the T Rider's Union website here.)


• Show your support at the TRU "Bake Sale for the T" at the State House Monday, March 9th at 3:30 PM.  The point of the facetious bake sale is to show how the T is basically forced to beg for funds.


• Show your support at the Wednesday March 11th, 1pm State House hearing on Governor Patrick's transportation reform and revenue bill.

A little show of your support at a critical moment (that moment being now) could mean a lot.  If you believe in public transit and want to see the state take a step in the right direction, call your representatives today.