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)
OMG..........OMG.............I am in the floor here!
You'd think they'd offer to pay out of their
own pockets wouldn't you.
Wait, their democrats after all.
So what else is new for the party of freeloaders and parasites.
It's for the childrun.
Well, why not? They've justified a whole passel of crap and crappy legislation on this basis.
What's the problem here? As RATS they can travel free through the sewer system!
Shaddap!
Let's thank them for a little COMMON SENSE!
http://www.mbta.com/
Hey kennedy - I'll lend you a black Oldsmobile deathmachine and even buy the GAS if you promise to take kerry and TerryKerry out for a friday night drive when you're not chauffering them to/from the convention!
LOL - freeloaders that are already attending the convention on OPM will have to make a "token" contribution to the subway system.
"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."
"I would seriously consider the request if these were Republicans said Mulhern, but the litter, used condoms, puke, and discarded drug paraphernalia from the RAT conventioneers will cost us at least $500,000 dollars in overtime."
That they'd even make the request tells you everything you need to know about them and their party.
That was mighty nice of Prince John.
Well now, if the Democrats leave Boston like they left the Whitehouse when the adults took over, then the Republicans can come into New York City with style and grace and accentuate the difference. New York City will not only make money but have ample positive exposure to boot, and leave a very good impression with the Big Apple voters and maybe, just maybe.....
Geez, the Dems are really making a disaster out of this convention. What's their next moronic move? I can hardly wait. :-D
Right wing lunatic.
Please allow me to congralute MBTA general manager Michael Mulhern for turning down the request by the Mass. Democratic Congressional Delegation for free transit during the DNC Convention in Boston this summer. It shows an astonishing sense of entitlement and privilege, as well as arrogance, on the part of the Democrats to not only disregard inconveniences that would be suffered by the MBTA during the convention, but also to impose on you this unreasonable request. Kudos to you for pointing out this lack of appreciation on part of the DNC.
As someone who has visited Boston on a few occasions, I have had the pleasure to use the public transportation, and appreciate the hard work that must go into maintaining this impressive service.
I hope the DNC shows you some respect and refrains from making such demands on you.
Best wishes,
That is a great letter. Thank you.
Hey, I've got an idea! Why doesn't the DNC pay the $1 million a day to the transportation agency and then the delagates can ride free. It'll also allow the inconvienced citizens of Boston the opportunity to ride free. I'm sure the Kerry campaign can afford it.
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