MBTA Considering Layoffs To Help Close Huge Budget Deficit
BOSTON (CBS) -- The head of the MBTA said that all options are being considered to close a budget deficit--even layoffs.
"Everything's on the table," MBTA Acting General Manager Brian Shortsleeve told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens. "The T has an over $100 million deficit, and we need to close it."
Shortsleeve said the transportation organization will probably look at reducing the number of people working in administrative roles, and hire more people in operations--like more bus drivers.
"We're very focused on reducing our head count in corporate and administrative roles while we increase head count in operations," he said.
Shortsleeve said the MBTA hasn't balanced its budget in almost ten years.
"Our goal is to put the T on track to balance it's budget," he said.
By statute, the MBTA gets a percentage of its revenue from the Massachusetts state sales tax, but tax revenues are way down, and that means the T is hurting.
The layoff considerations come despite the fact that the T just finished a round of buyouts. The organization is also looking at the possibility of privatizing some of their operations, like cash-counting and warehouse operations.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports