September 17, 2007
Transportation Finance Commission recommendations
The Massachusetts Transportation Finance Commission released its long-overdue and important recommendations for fixing the state transportation financial mess - i.e., how to fund the $20 billion or so shortfall identified in its prior report. It recommends a total of $21.18 billion in savings and/or new funds:
- Gas tax increase of 11.5 cents per gallon ($10.5 billion)
- Road user fees (electronic tolling of major highways) ($5.5 billion)
- Regular MBTA fare increases with inflation ($1.9 billion)
- Everything else ($3.28 billion)
The report also recommends that the state relieve the MBTA of all debt payments for the SIP commitments.