The voice of T riders at risk under reform

Transporation overhaul could lead to less accountability to commuters

 The state is on the verge of a massive transportation overhaul, but changes to MBTA oversight have some concerned T riders may lose their voice.

The bill, now on Gov. Deval Patrick’s desk, would realign most of the state’s transportation agencies under one umbrella, streamline planning and consolidate services. However, it would replace the T’s board of directors with a smaller body that oversees several transportation agencies and dramatically scales back the MBTA advisory board’s budgetary oversight.

Lee Matsueda, program director at the T Rider’s Union, is concerned rider representation could be reduced and the scope of the new board “will be much more broad than the T board ever was.”

“I think many riders we talked to want two things, accountability and representation on the board, and with this reform, we don’t see that necessarily playing out to benefit MBTA riders,” Matsueda said.

Today, Boston City Councilor and mayoral hopeful Michael Flaherty will also send a letter to the governor expressing concerns over potential fare hikes and the advisory board’s diminished role.

Yesterday, Patrick told Metro  he is confident “the T will have appropriate oversight and the concerns of riders will be heard.”