The MBTA is reversing course amid escalating criticism over its plan to slash service and lay off dozens of workers as General Manager Steve Poftak concedes the “correct path forward” for the transit agency includes ramping up service instead.
In a Friday letter to U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, Poftak said he would “ramp up MBTA service as quickly as possible, preserve staffing levels and maintain the MBTA’s commitment to offer appropriate levels of service as the public returns to transit in a post-pandemic world.
A spokesman for Lynch said the letter was “finalizing the agreement” the pair reached on Thursday.
“We commit there will be no layoffs or furloughs made by either the MBTA or (Commuter rail operator) Keolis – in keeping with both the letter and spirit of the American Rescue Plan. I embrace this as the correct path forward, and appreciate your support,” Poftak wrote.
Keolis had recently notified 40 workers they would be “permanently furloughed.”
The MBTA will begin increasing the commuter rail service on April 5, according to the letter. But the letter did not detail where or when other service might increase.
The MBTA did not immediately respond to questions on Friday. Poftak declined an interview request.
The plans would have slashed service by as much as 20% along some subway and bus lines and suspended others altogether — even as the state’s transit agencies are on track to receive about $1 billion from President Biden’s $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan.”
News of the MBTA’s reversal surfaced an hour after transit workers and riders rallied alongside lawmakers to increase pressure on Gov. Charlie Baker and transportation officials to reverse the sweeping service cuts.
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren vowed to “stand shoulder to shoulder” in the fight.
“People throughout the commonwealth who rely on public transportation are the very essential workers who stepped up to help us during the public health crisis,” Warren said.
Jarred Johnson of the Transit is Essential Coalition said, “A reliable, an affordable, and an efficient public transportation system is central to this commonwealth’s health and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Criticism over the cuts intensified this week as the T forged ahead with its plan to slash service and new changes in bus and T schedules rolled out to protests on Sunday.
Lynch on Monday blasted the cuts as an “anathema” to the will of Congress and urged Baker and T officials to reach their “come to Jesus moment.” Two days later the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation on Wednesday fired off a letter calling on Poftak to justify the cuts.
