We've spent decades encouraging housing development next to transit, and the T is planning to drastically reduce service to commuter rail stops exactly where we've asked cities to put walkable, middle-income housing. These short sighted cuts will lead to more car dependence.

This will lead to fewer housing units being built and at a higher cost. It will undercut future efforts to build mixed-use, walkable communities. "How can we trust the T?" will be a common excuse at the planning meeting.

The T needs to not just avoid service cuts, but be more proactive about planning for future projects. We are likely on a precipice of a major stimulus bill and 5-year transportation bill. The T is not ready, and communities will suffer as a result.

If the T is not able to plan for the future and add capacity to our overstretched network, it will be harder to build TOD and affordable housing throughout the region.

Please take a few moments to leave a voicemail before Monday at 11 AM and let the T know: cutting service and failing to plan for the future hurts our housing goals. https://www.mbta.com/events/2020-11-09/fiscal-and-management-control-board-meeting