Patrick’s prepared remarks for T press conference

His report is complete and I want him to tell you what he found. Before he does, I want to thank you, publicly, David for your time, your diligence and your commitment to this project.

[D’Alessandro speaks]

I asked David to bring his expertise to the MBTA because I was concerned by the lack of transparency and the lack of reliable information we had been given on the Authority’s finances. I was concerned because so many people rely on the MBTA – on the buses, on the subway, on the commuter rail and the boats and the RIDE – so many people depend on the T to get them around. To get them to work and to school and home again, safely and on time.

But for too long we have not dealt with the service and financial problems the T faces. Folks have looked the other way and not always told the truth. That ends today. And while the picture is sobering and the problems are serious, we now know exactly what has to be fixed. The job now is to fix it.

Today, I have asked Secretary Mullan to formulate a plan to improve service for riders and restore a culture of safety and transparency to the system. That includes a review of the backlog of capital projects, to re-examine which to fund to keep riders and employees safe. I expect the plan to be reviewed and approved by the time of their January meeting. Secretary Mullan will make the plan public, so that their execution will be accountable not just to me, but to T riders.

Also, I have instructed the Secretary and asked the MassDOT Board to identify the right leadership team for the MBTA and put them in place immediately. Let me take this opportunity to thank Bill Mitchell for his service as the interim General Manager; he has opened the MBTA to outside review in a way that has never been done before and I appreciate that. I have confidence that he will continue to serve the public well until we find a permanent General Manager.

I have asked David to stay involved in two ways: first, he has agreed to review the Secretary’s plan to assure it addresses the need identified by his report, and to give us his feedback periodically on our progress. I am grateful that his willing to stay engaged.

I know that there will be at least two concerns on the riders’ minds in the wake of this report: Is the system safe? And is a fare increase imminent?

First, let me assure the travelling public that the system is safe, and that the good people of the T will recommit to keeping it so.

Second, let me be clear that the MBTA will not see and I will not approve a fare increase until service has improved tangibly as possible with the resources we have.

Thank you. And David and I are happy to take your questions now.