Green light for Line extension

Last week, Gov. Deval Patrick approved $700 million for public transportation projects, with the lion’s share dedicated to the Green Line extension to Somerville and Medford.

Improved public transit takes pressure off our roads, while reducing oil consumption, traffic congestion, and global warming emissions. Last month, MASSPIRG released a report detailing the benefits of our public transportation systems. Existing public transit in Massachusetts was responsible for reducing oil consumption by 154 million gallons in 2006, a savings that translated into $403 million. Public transit also prevented 21 million hours of traffic delays for commuters and 1.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions from being released in 2006, the equivalent of taking 225,000 cars off the road.

However, the MBTA has $5 billion in debt that fuels the cycle of high fare increases and low ridership growth.

For Greater Boston, we’ll need to address financing problems like this and have a forward-looking vision for new public transit. For example, moving the Fairmont Com-muter Line to a rapid transit Indigo Line, connecting the spokes of the T with a light rail Urban Ring, extending the Blue Line to Lynn, bringing commuter rail service to Fall River and New Bedford and linking North and South stations. In addition to spurring economic development, these investments will continue the hard work of reducing our oil addiction, curbing global warming pollution and easing the strain on our traffic-clogged roads.

Eric Bourassa coordinates MASSPIRG’s advocacy in promoting public transportation.