Alternatives for Community and Environment had their Gas Tax FAQs featured on one of the Commonwealth’s transportation blogs:

From the MetroWest Daily News:

T commuters may see cuts in service

April 3, 2009
By Rosemary D’Amou
Although no details have been finalized by the MBTA, the T Riders Union is predicting cuts in service are likely to include a 50 percent cut in evening and weekend commuter rail line service, as well as cuts to buses and subways within Boston.

Members of a coalition of transportation advocates, including the union, MassPIRG and On the Move, passed out 15,000 fliers during peak morning and late afternoon hours at South Station and 12 other stops yesterday, urging residents to contact their legislators. [Read full article]

From the Boston Globe:

Every little bit helps? Protesters to donate $199 to the MBTA

April 13, 2009

By Noah Bierman

Members of the T Riders Union held up an oversized check for $199.35 today at a protest in downtown Boston, money they raised from a “bake sale” last month to benefit the struggling MBTA.

The members, who held a demonstration in front of the Transportation Building, plan to present the check at an MBTA board meeting this afternoon. The T is facing a $160 million deficit and is threatening substantial fare increases and service cuts.

“How many more bakes sales are we going to need?” said Rene Mardones, a member of the group, which wants the Legislature to bail out the transportation agency, which will avert the need for fare hikes and service cuts. [Read full article]

From the Boston Globe:

With money tight, MBTA delays vote on new equipment

April 13, 2009

By Noah Bierman, Globe Staff

Taisha O’Bryant, a member of the T Riders Union, said that riders like her who are “truly transit-dependent” are upset that lawmakers haven’t stepped in yet with more funding for the T.

But we need revenue more,” she said. [Read full article]

From the Boston Globe:

Fury over possible toll hike overshadows concerns about T

March 22, 2009

By Noah Bierman

The threat of a Big Gulp size toll increase on the Massachusetts Turnpike took Governor Deval Patrick and legislative leaders to the brink last week, forcing another last-minute delay in the rate hike, followed by a few minutes of smiles and hugs in front of the cameras.

The high-profile demonstration of political capital on tolls has public transportation advocates worried. Where, they wonder, is the similar outrage over the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s repeated warnings about deep service cuts and a 30 percent fare hike?

“Everything is about how to prevent a toll increase,” said Eric Bourassa, transit analyst for the Massachusetts Public Research Interest Group. “We feel like the MBTA is often getting left out of this discussion.”

The transit advocates have reason to be scared. It’s still early in the debate, but the T’s $160 million deficit is definitely taking a back seat to the Turnpike Authority’s crisis, and there appears to be less legislative support for a gas tax-funded bailout of the T. [Read full article]

From the Boston Herald:

Activists urge T to scrape up dough, avoid hike

By Hillary Chabot

T riders sold sweet treats yesterday in a half-baked attempt to stave off the bitter taste of a fare increase, which state transportation officials said will be needed if lawmakers don’t pass a 19-cent gas tax hike.

Transportation Secretary James Aloisi, who purchased $10 worth of sweet potato pie, lemon pound cake and chocolate chip cookies at a bake sale held by the T Riders Union and MassPIRG, said riders could see a 30 percent fare hike by July if the gas tax doesn’t pass…

The bake sale, which was also co-organized by transportation activists from the On the Move coalition, raised $200. T officials were uncertain whether they could accept the money as of last night.

“These increases could really cripple ridership and effect the economy and the environment,” said Lee Matsueda, program director of the T Rider’s Union. [Read full article]