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
Actions
Upcoming
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
Note/Question: On March 1, "State transportation officials said today they have decided to push back the date when MBTA planners will provide a final recommendation on fare increases and service cuts included in the fiscal 2013 budget." ([Globe]) Does this change the plans for this action?
April 4th - 'Wisconsin Style' People's Hearing and MBT(GA) at the State House
- details forthcoming
Past
February 13 - Convergence and Rally @ Boston Public Library
Occupy the T: Free Charlie pdf, but including some info specific to the Feb. 13 action.
Ongoing
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)
MBTA Public Hearings
5 Mildred Avenue | |||
200 Heath Street | |||
6:00-8:00 PM |
1353 Dorchester Avenue | ||
375 Merrimack Street | |||
3 City Hall Square | |||
51 Blossom Street | |||
210 Central Street | |||
Rabb Lecture Hall 700 Boylston Street | |||
150 Concord Street | |||
40 Washington Street | |||
200 Pleasant Street | |||
| February 27, Monday | Winthrop | 6:00-8:00 PM | Winthrop DeLeo Senior Center 35 Harvard Street |
| February 28, Tuesday | Somerville | 6:00-8:00 PM | High School Auditorium 81 Highland Avenue |
| February 29, Wednesday | Cambridge | 6:00-8:00 PM | Citywide Senior Center 806 Massachusetts Avenue |
| March 1, Thursday | Waltham | 6:00-8:00 PM | Government Center Auditorium 119 School Street |
| March 5, Monday | Haverhill | 6:00-8:00 PM |
90 Washington Street |
| March 6, Tuesday | Brockton | 6:00-8:00 PM |
Massasoit Community College, Liberal Arts Building, Lecture Hall LA 560 1 Massasoit Boulevard |
| March 6, Tuesday | Revere | 6:00-8:00 PM |
Paul Revere School 395 Revere Street |
| March 7, Wednesday | Fitchburg | 6:00-8:00 PM |
Public Library Auditorium 610 Main Street |
| March 7, Wednesday | Hull | 7:00-9:00 PM |
Memorial Middle School 81 Central Avenue |
| March 12, Monday | Brighton | 5:30-7:30 PM |
Veronica B. Smith Senior Center 20 Chestnut Hill Avenue |
Activities
Charlie on the MTA remix: Bechtel and the MBTA
A couple of people are playing with a remix of Charlie and the MTA.
Bechtel and the MBTA
intro: "These are the times that try men's souls. In the course of our nation's history, the people of Boston have rallied bravely whenever the rights of men have been threatened. Today, a new crisis has arisen. The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority, better known as the M.B.T.A., is attempting to levy a burdensome tax on the 99% in the form of a subway fare increase. Through service cuts, they threaten to keep our families from going to work and our children from going to school. Citizens, hear us out! This could happen to you!"
G
Let me tell you the story
C
Of a man named Charlie
G D
On a tragic and fateful day
G
He put his card in his pocket,
C
Kissed his wife and family
G D G
Went to ride on the MTA
Charlie swiped his card
At the Kendall Square Station
And he changed for Jamaica Plain
When he got there they said,
"There's been a fare hike."
and he could not get off that train.
Chorus 1:
G
Did he ever return,
C
No he never returned
G D
And his fate is still unlearn'd
G
He may ride forever
C
'neath the streets of Boston
G D G
He's the man who never returned.
Now all night long
Charlie rides through the tunnels
Saying, "What will become of me?
Crying
How can I afford to see
My sister in Chelsea
Or my cousin in Roxbury?"
Chorus 1:
[Instrumental]
|
Now I'll tell you a story
about the Big Dig Tunnel
And the tragic and fateful way
How a crooked highway project
Came to rob every family
Who rides on the MBTA
It was money motivation
No one watched the corporations
The costs grew day by day
In the state house they had meetings
With the banksters they were scheming
How to get rich 'n have their way
Chorus 2:
The people got burned
The banks stole what we earned
But we won't let 'em steal the T!
We will ride forever
'neath the streets of Boston
Public trains, they oughta be free.
Bechtel did the job
While the poor working slob
Paid for all their mistakes
The highway its leaking
The people be freakin
Since they billed the MBTA
Chorus 2:
Enough is enough
The people are saying
Don't you take the busses away
Your games aint a-working
And we aint a-takin
No more cuts to the MBTA
Chorus:
Now you citizens of Boston
Don't you think its a scandal
That people have to pay and pay
While the banks get bailed out
The riders get sold out
No more cuts to the MBTA
|
Back to OccupyMBTA
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
OccupyTFlyer_Quarter_Sheet.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/