Posted on 05/28/2004 5:11:57 PM PDT by nwrep
BOSTON -- The head of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority quickly rejected a request by the state's congressional delegation to provide free subway service during the Democratic National Convention.
U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy and the state's 10 congressmen -- all Democrats -- made the request in a letter sent Friday to MBTA general manager Michael Mulhern and Boston 2004 president David Passafaro, asking them to make subways free in downtown Boston during the four-day convention in July.
Mulhern said he was "very disappointed" in the request.
"It's indicative of the lack of appreciation or understanding of how significant a financial strain the DNC is placing on the public transport agency," he said.
Mulhern said the MBTA will be saturated with riders during the convention, regardless of whether fares are free. He said the agency is already absorbing a minimum of $5 million in convention costs and would lose another $1 million each day it gave free rides.
"We will make it a successful event," he said, "but in doing so, we're not going to run the agency into financial collapse."
A call for comment to a Boston 2004 spokesman was not immediately returned.
A spokesman for John Kerry's presidential campaign said the presumptive Democratic nominee suggested the free rides on Tuesday and was pleased the congressional delegation supported it. Campaign spokesman Michael Meehan said that though Mulhern rejected the request, "It's still a good idea."
"The city has done it for other big events," Meehan said.
MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said the agency has suspended fares for a few hours during the city's New Year's Eve celebration to encourage people to use public transportation.
Rep. Barney Frank said in a statement that eliminating fares during the convention "makes good sense in dealing with the flow of people. It will benefit not only the people attending the convention but also the citizens who are being inconvenienced during the convention week."
Convention road and transit closings are sure to bring major traffic headaches to the Boston area. North Station, a rail hub under the FleetCenter, will be shut down, and subway trains will not stop there. In addition, several major roads will be closed at different times, including Interstate 93. (AP)
Democrats looking for a handout, what else is new.
man, what a bunch of fraud artists
They are soooo entitled.
Why don't the dems just pony up the 4 million it will take for the rail to break even?
"...Will they ever return? No they'll never return! There fate is still uncertain....."
Teddy and Mrs. Heinz-Kerry are so rich they can pay the fares out of their pocket change. Why don't they do it?
They deserve each other.
Sounds like the MBTA know these free loaders democommiecrats better than the voter in Mass.
Dem's on the MBTA
But did they ever return
No, they never returned,
And their fate is still unlearned.
They may ride forever 'neath the streets of Boston,
They're the dem's who never returned.
LOL!!
Not to mention the strain the DNC aspires to place on working Americans from coast to coast.
Talk about imperialism.
Unbelievable. Isn't the convention supposed to MAKE MONEY for the city? so far I've heard businesses must close and now this. Wow...sure worth fighting for, huh?
GIMME GIMME GIMME!
I am so glad I left that party!!
ask Mary Jo Kopekne(prolly spelled wrong) what a "FREE RIDE" from a dimocrat sinator cost her.
Mega Ping!
Dems looking to free-lead as usual......Wouldn't it be great if the people of Boston turn against Kerry after experiencing the Quagmire of the DNC Convention.
There is no mention of the DNC contibuting any bucks to subsidize all these 'free rides'.
This is typical head-in-the-sand behavior.
The money will---will---it will---IT WILL come from GOD like MANNA came from Heaven!!!!
Allahu Mush Akbar.
Massachusetts Rat Pack
Lifetime Ratings from the American Conservative Union
House of Representatives
Michael Capuano (D) 6
William Delahunt (D) 5
Barney Frank (D) 5
Stephen Lynch (D) 23
Edward Markey (D) 6
James McGovern (D) 4
Marty Meehan (D) 11
Richard Neal (D) 10
John Olver (D) 3
John Tierney (D) 5
Senate
Edward Kennedy (D) 3
John Kerry (D) 5
"U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy and the state's 10 congressmen -- all Democrats -- made the request in a letter sent Friday to MBTA general manager Michael Mulhern and Boston 2004 president David Passafaro, asking them to make subways free in downtown Boston during the four-day convention in July."
The rich and powerful looking for a free ride. Shameful. I'm sure they justify it by saying it isn't for them, it's for others. Bunch of free loading bums.
Just like a Democrat to want a free ride...free to anyone but the taxpayers as usual.
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