Created as part of the Fiscal Year 2019 state budget, the
19-member commission will look at how the state’s 15 regional transit
authorities can best provide and improve transit services for their customers,
while conducting regular service planning to maximize ridership. The commission will also explore ways to ensure
that fares, local contributions and other own-source revenues are sufficient to
cover an appropriate share of service costs for these regional transit
authorities.
“As a member of the Joint Committee on Transportation,
Representative Kane has been proactive in supporting the Baker-Polito
Administration’s efforts to improve services on the MBTA,” said Representative
Jones. “I am confident she will bring
this same commitment to the task force as it works to increase efficiencies at the
state’s regional transit authorities and enhance the ridership experience for
commuters who utilize these services.”
Representative Kane is one of four legislators serving on
the task force, which is being chaired by Astrid Glynn, the Rail & Transit
Administrator for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. Three members
will be appointed by the regional transit authority administrators, with
Governor Charlie Baker appointing the other 11 members, including one who will represent
the disabled commuter population and one who will represent an organization
that advocates for regional transit authority riders.
The task force is scheduled to file its initial report by November
1, 2018.
In addition to serving on the Joint Committee on
Transportation, Representative Kane is also the Ranking Minority Member of the
Joint Committee on Public Health, the Ranking Minority Member of the JointCommittee on Marijuana Policy, and a member of the Joint Committee on MentalHealth, Substance Use and Recovery. She
represents the Eleventh Worcester District, which includes the town of
Shrewsbury and Precincts 4 and 5 in Westborough.
