Occupy MBTA

"For the third time in ten years, the MBTA is offering its riders a choice between draconian service cuts and draconian fare increases in an effort to close a budget gap caused by legacy debt...We will not let our government balance its books on the backs of working people any longer... Debt relief for the MBTA can close the budget gaps without asking the poorest among us to carry a heavier burden and is good for T riders, T workers, T management--good for the entire 99%! - from a draft statement we are working on" = Fight fare hikes and service cuts =

Planning Meetings
Occupy the MBTA meets at 6pm Fridays at SEIU 615, 26 West St. Boston, and at 5 on Sundays at the Occupy Boston 'Strategic Action Assembly', 5 pm at community Church on Sundays


 * OccupyMBTA Planning, Jan 29th 2012
 * Planning Meeting, Feb 17th, 2012

February 25th - Rally

 * organized by John Murphy, Occupy the MBTA, OccupySomerville
 * facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/155333684580789/

March 7th: Occupy Somervile Teach-In: MBTA and the Big Banks
7PM at SEIU Local 888, 52 Roland Street in Charlestown (near Sullivan Sq) Jeremy Thomspon will share the results of his research into the role big banks have played in the MBTA's financial woes. Followed by discussion and action planning.

March 14th - Lunch hour Flash Mob at Transportation building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston

 * Mass GA Call to Action - March 14th & April 4th

April 4th - 'Wisconsin Style' People's Hearing and MBT(GA) at the State House

 * details forthcoming

February 13 - Convergence and Rally @ Boston Public Library
Occupy the T: Free Charlie pdf, but including some info specific to the Feb. 13 action.

Canvassing - (printable flyers below)
Here are some dates for handing out fliers. If you would like to organize a flyering action, put the info below and email the list: occupymbta@lists.occupyboston.org

-Every Wednesday (5pm-7pm): Meet at Davis Square [near the Somerville Theater / Davis MBTA station. contact: Joe Ramsey (jgramsey@gmail.com)

Sunday, January 29th (11am-1pm): Meet at Davis Square [near the Somerville Theater / Davis MBTA station] contact: Jamie Rinaldi (jamie.rinaldi@gmail.com)

Charlie on the MTA remix: Bechtel and the MBTA
A couple of people are playing with a remix of Charlie and the MTA.

Graphics












Petition
Link to document in process: draft

Pamphlets and More
Occupy_the_T_and_Free_Charlie_one_page_Feb_13.pdf

Occupy_the_T_and_Free_Charlie_one_page.pdf

OccupyT_Portuguese.pdf

OccupyTFlyer_Quarter_Sheet.pdf

OccupyTFlyer1.pdf

MBTA_rally_double-sided_quarters.pdf - rally flyer with list of hearings on back

MBTA_Passenger_Advisory.pdf - MBTA-style poster with hearings listed

Charlie_mask.pdf - print out your own mask of MBTA's iconic humanoid!

For Designers
MBTA ad templates are Banner: 18" high by 28" wide Poster: 22" high by 15" wide Here are some examples.

Maillist
A lot of stuff gets emailed to this list. You can join here, or view the archives here.

Links and Bibliography

 * http://studentsagainsttcuts.org/
 * MBTA Page on Fare Changes
 * MBTA Fare Change Information Booklet
 * MBTA Financials
 * Transit on the Line
 * T Riders Union

State Auditor on MBTA Losses via Credit Default Swaps (2008)
'''State Auditor Joe DeNucci reported [in 2008] that an investment practice intended to help save money actually resulted in a $55 million increase in borrowing interest costs to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)...During the five-year period reviewed by DeNucci’s office, the MBTA entered into 12 interest rate swap agreements with various investment banks totaling $1.632 billion. As a result of these swaps, the MBTA received nearly $31.5 million in interest and premiums. However, the MBTA made payments totaling more than $86.8 million for interest costs and termination fees during the same period, resulting in a net loss to the T of $55.3 million. “These rate swaps were highly speculative, risky and complex, and have proved costly to the riders who are paying increased fares and the taxpayers who subsidize the MBTA,” said DeNucci.''' - from State Auditor press release January 29, 2008

February 19, 2012 - Boston Globe

= http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2012/02/19/top_official_favors_fare_hike_over_service_cut/ =