The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors recently approved a $2.7 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2024.
“This budget reflects a series of investments that sharpen our focus on enhancing safety for our customers, workforce, contractors, and vendors,” Phillip Eng, MBTA general manager and CEO, said. “The T plays a vital role in connecting people to work, school, family, and friends, and I thank the board of directors for approving the FY24 budget. The priorities outlined here provide the means to make progress toward delivering the service our customers deserve and the level of safety – across the entire system – they expect.”
Increasing the work force to 7,643 to support expanded capacity in several areas with a focus on the MBTA’s Safety Department and Operations.
A total of $68 million will support the Federal Transit Administration’s Safety and Management Inspection report with $44 million devoted to rail yard and maintenance facility safety, track maintenance, and enhanced staffing at the Operations Control Center.
A one-time investment of $181 million for bridge rehabilitation, station and accessibility improvements, and advancing the Red-Blue Connector project’s design.
A one-time fee of $5 million to study the feasibility of implementing a means-tested fare program to expand affordability.