Proudly representing the City of Quincy and Towns of Abington, Braintree, Holbrook and Rockland
MBTA Coronavirus Updates
For schedule changes, service levels and general information related to COVID-19 and the MBTA, visit this page.
MBTA is Forging Ahead
Due to continued low ridership during the pandemic, the MBTA has developed a plan, Forging Ahead, to anticipate riders' needs and address its budget deficit, with guidance from the Fiscal and Management Control Board. The Board, which closely monitors the MBTA's finances, management, and operations, has released its proposals for frequency and route cuts in the coming months. The changes outlined below are still in the proposal phase and are based on an estimated $579 million deficit for Fiscal Year 2022.

I know how crucial the MBTA is to the district, and to the Commonwealth as a whole. It gets people to work, stimulates our local economy, and provides jobs to many. As a T rider myself, I understand the impact of these cuts.

This past week, along with my colleagues in the Legislature, I met with the General Manager of the MBTA to advocate on behalf of constituents. Additionally, over the last few weeks I have contacted the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board and our Congressional delegation in writing. You can read my letters here.
No Increase in MBTA Fares
At this time, the Fiscal and Management Control Board is not proposing an increase in fares for any types of service.

For a look at current fares, including the MBTA's change to make all CharlieCards, CharlieTickets, and cash fares equal, visit mbta.com/fares.
T Ridership Low, Service Cuts Proposed
Data shows that rapid transit ridership on the trunk (before any line splits, e.g. to Ashmont or Braintee) is at 24% of pre-COVID levels, yet the T has been running services close to 100% of pre-COVID levels.

To adjust for low ridership and reduced revenues, effective in Spring 2021, all T service will end at midnight, according to the proposal, and frequency of cars will be reduced by 20% on the trunk. For example, Red Line headways from Alewife to JFK/UMass usually average 4.5 minutes during peak hours and 7 minutes during off-peak hours. Under this change, trunk headways would average 5.5 minutes and 8.5 minutes, respectively. The MBTA has yet to release headways for the Braintree branch of the Red Line, but this information can help make informed guesses of the impact on our district.
Bus Route and Frequency Changes
Based on ridership data collected during COVID-19, bus routes that have the lowest usage will see frequency cuts between five and 20 percent. Some routes with the lowest ridership face elimination, impacting 0.5% of pre-COVID riders. Here, I lay out the proposed changes to buses that travel through the district. In addition to these specific changes, all bus trips will end at midnight, beginning in Summer 2021. 
You can check out the proposed impact on your commute by using the T's interactive tool, found here. Just scroll down the page a bit, and you'll find drop down menus which allow you to check by community, line, or route. Routes that are denoted as "at or above baseline frequency standards" will face a 5% cut in frequency, and routes "below baseline levels of service" will face a 20% cut in frequency. 
Capital Projects on Track
The Fiscal and Management Control Board announced that some capital projects throughout the T system would be impacted, but projects in our district should not be impacted. So, work will continue on: Red Line signal upgrades, the Quincy Adams and Braintree Garage Projects, the Quincy Adams Bus Facility Project, and construction on the garage portion of the North Quincy Transit Oriented Development Project.
Masks on the MBTA
Governor Baker's Face Covering Order on November 2 requires everyone in the state, above the age of 5 and not including those with medical restrictions, to wear a mask in public indoor and outdoor spaces, regardless of their ability to keep a six foot distance from others. Please continue to wear face masks that cover your mouth and nose while on the MBTA to keep yourself, drivers, and fellow passengers safe!
Concerned About The Service Cuts?
Let The T Hear From You
There are many ways to voice your concerns if these proposed cuts impact you. Some ways to do so include:


The Fiscal and Management Control Board will vote on the proposals outlined in this newsletter at their meeting on December 7.
Did you know?
About one year ago, the MBTA served 1.26 million trips per day. Today, four months after the state began reopening, the MBTA serves an average of 330,000 trips per day agency-wide, only about 26% of pre-COVID levels.
Helpful Links:
If you have any questions about specific T projects, you can contact the MBTA:


And as always, you can contact me by email at [email protected] or by calling (617)722-1494.

I hope you find this information useful and that this newsletter empowers you to leave a public comment if the proposed cuts impact you or your household.

As always, I plan to follow developments related to the MBTA and will keep you updated with important announcements.

Thank you again for staying involved and active. Working together, we will keep Massachusetts moving forward!
Senator John F. Keenan
Office of State Senator John F. Keenan
State House
24 Beacon Street, Room 413F
Boston, MA 02133 (617) 722-1494 | Website