MBTA service cuts still an option: T official

MBTA riders may need to endure more service cuts starting in July despite a recent vote to raise fares.

The service cuts would aim to bridge the remainder of MBTA’s projected $80 million budget gap, the State House News Service reported Thursday. The T is looking towards the approval of a $187 million injection from the state this spring to fill the 2017 budget gap and fuel maintenance projects, according to the report.

Advisory board representative Robert Guttman, of Beverly, reportedly said the T is “funding to keep the service uncut for the next year, although technically the financial control board could cut them to save money.”

MBTA Acting Chief Financial Officer Michael Abramo said, “In the deck that we presented to our control board for our budget, there’s a discussion of potentially cutting some services.”

Guttmanreplied, “On paper it’s funded for the next year, but the financial control board is reserving judgment on whether to cut midyear.”

Abramo confirmed, the SHNS reported, saying,“Yes, and part of that would be to address that $80 million.”