Tisei calls for LeBovidge’s resignation
TAGS: Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Fast Lane, gas tax, Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, MBTA, tolls.
Senate Minority Leader Richard R. Tisei is calling on Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA) Executive Director Alan LeBovidge to resign, following last weekend’s massive traffic gridlock at the Turnpike’s tolls.
Despite LeBovidge’s initial attempts to blame the holiday weekend traffic back-up on toll-takers who had called in sick, it has now come to light that MTA management knowingly reduced employee staffing levels prior to this peak travel period. Tisei believes this was intentionally done to impact motorists and to bolster the Patrick Administration’s argument for passing a 19-cents-a-gallon increase in the gas tax.
“Call me cynical, but I can’t help but think this debacle was all part of a poorly-orchestrated ploy to drum up support for an increase in the gas tax,” said Tisei. “Prior to this, the Administration had purposely leaked news of drastic MBTA service cuts that could not possibly be implemented without undermining the MBTA’s core mission just to scare people, and even went so far as to turn off the lights on the Zakim Bridge. In the end, I think this is all going to backfire because the public is fed up with the incompetence displayed by this Administration.
“Commuters are tired of being used as pawns while reforms are ongoing in the state’s transportation system,” Tisei added. “Once again, the Governor is unwilling to embrace real reform because he’s too busy trying to find new revenue sources.”
In an interview with WBZ-TV Channel 4 that aired last night, LeBovidge took full responsibility for the traffic tie-ups, saying he did not want to pay workers overtime rates to cover the missed shifts. What he did not say was that he was the one who caused this whole crisis by making the decision to reduce staffing last Friday. Previously, LeBovidge tried to deflect criticism by blaming much of the problem on those drivers who have not purchased a Fast Lane transponder.
“To attempt to blame commuters for this fiasco shows me that Mr. LeBovidge just doesn’t get it,” said Tisei. “The arrogance he has displayed in dealing with this situation is unacceptable. Clearly, it is time for him to go.”
For more on this story, check out the coverage from the Boston Globe, Boston Herald and NECN.
Join us on Facebook
An investigation should be held before we demand someone’s head. If it turns out this fiasco was orchestrated, there should be an “administrative restructuring.”
Jeanne;
I respectfully disagree. Whether this was orchestrated or not, it was certainly a fiasco. And, it was avoidable.
V, I’m beginning to take it personally. Why are you always disagreeing with me?
If the MTA reported directly up through the executive branch, I’d be fine with a straight-forward firing. But, they are an “independent” agency. No matter what my personal opinions on the matter (I suspect we agree), an investigation is not only fair, it is proper. I don’t think the Governor has (or should have) the power to willy-nilly fire the head of an independent agency.
Either way, it’s moot. The Governor has made it clear that although he is “bothered” by the Easter traffic, he stands by the head of the MTA.
So, get thee a transponder and think twice about taking the Pike on a holiday.
Jeanne;
Nothing personal. I do have a transponder. And, I avoid the Pike as much as possible.
I think that we have gotten away from personal responsibility. As the head of the MTA, LeBovidge has the responsibility to the toll payer to ensure that it is smooth sailing. When notified of the traffic backups, what did he do? Nothing. He went back to watching the Masters. He didn’t feel that he had the authority to pay the overtime or to open up the tolls temporarily (free) to ease the traffic burden.
If you do the math (a caller to the Dennis and Callahan show did), the resulting overtime payments were measured in the thousands, not the tens of thousands. Certainly LeBovidge can multiply and add.
Tisei has called on him to resign. So should Deval Patrick.
V has it right again, such sheep out there, afraid of upsetting our rulers. Remember:
REPS NOT RULERS!