Residents express broad opposition to MBTA service cuts, favor increased state funding to close agency's budget gap
Majority doubt cuts will be restored as the state reopens after COVID-19, even as most they say they will return to transit.
Nearly two-thirds (64%) of residents statewide oppose the system-wide service cuts proposed by the MBTA. About as many (66%) would rather the State Legislature give the transit agency more funding to close its budget gap. If the cuts are made, only 36% think it is likely the MBTA will restore service to prior levels as the state reopens. A majority (54%) think it is likely the MBTA will not restore service.
Those are some of the key findings of a new statewide poll of Massachusetts residents conducted by The MassINC Polling Group. The project was sponsored by The Barr Foundation.
"With the news about vaccines, there's some light at the end of a long dark tunnel," says Steve Koczela, President of The MassINC Polling Group, which conducted the poll. "How and whether people commute to work will depend on the options available to them, including the frequency and reliability of service on the MBTA."
The poll explored the cuts as a whole and also asked respondents about individual proposed changes to the system. Concerns about cuts to the commuter rail system are widespread, with 76% of residents opposed to cutting weekend service, and 70% opposed to closing six stations. The proposal to eliminate 25 bus routes also draws strong opposition (70%). Cutting MBTA ferry service altogether is opposed by 67%, as is the idea of increasing wait times between subways, trains, and buses.
Residents who used transit before the COVID pandemic are most opposed to the cuts, with 73% of subway riders, 72% of bus riders, and 79% of commuter rail riders expressing opposition. Among these riders, 70% or more support giving the MBTA more funding to balance its budget instead of making the proposed cuts.
One big uncertainty in the months and years ahead is how many companies and employees will work remotely once the option to return is available to more people. Previous MPG polls this year have found majorities would prefer to work from home at least a few days a week as the state reopens. In this poll, 62% of residents who are employed, furloughed, or seeking work say they would prefer to work from home at least that often as the state reopens.
At the same time, most transit riders plan to return to transit to some degree after a vaccine is widely available. Among pre-COVID daily riders, 80% now say they plan to take transit at least a few times a week. How often people ride will depend on a range of factors, but frequency and reliability have been cited in past polls as key barriers to transit use.
About the Poll
These results are based on an online survey of 1,340 Massachusetts residents. Responses were collected November 19-30, 2020. Final survey data was weighted to known and estimated parameters for the state's 18+ population by age, gender, race, education, geography, and party identification. This project was sponsored by The Barr Foundation.
About The MassINC Polling Group
The MassINC Polling Group is a nonpartisan public opinion research firm serving public, private, and social-sector clients. MPG elevates the public's voice with cutting edge methods and rigorous analysis. Based in Boston, MPG serves a nationwide client base.