Mass. Senate poised to vote on plan to close MBTA budget gap


The state Senate is expected to vote Tuesday on a plan to draw from a little-known state surplus to help balance the MBTA budget for the year, sending $49 million from motor vehicle inspection sticker fees to the T and $2 million to 15 smaller bus agencies that provide regional transit beyond Greater Boston.

The plan would also direct $1.5 million in state highway snow-and-ice removal money left over from a mild winter to the regional bus agencies, and $3.5 million to the T.

Transportation officials have said they need legislative action and Governor Deval Patrick’s signature by the end of this month to avoid even greater T fare increases and service cuts than the ones already scheduled for July 1.

The House approved a related measure last week on a 130-25 vote.

The pending Senate version would also call on Patrick’s administration to develop a long-term plan for solving the state’s transportation finance crisis by Dec. 31.


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