November 4, 2009 Report says MBTA troubles put riders at risk Play video

(NECN: Brad Puffer - Boston, Mass.) - The MBTA's financial troubles are putting riders at risk, according to a new report from Gov. Deval Patrick's administration.

The report finds the cash-strapped agency has left dozens of important safety projects unfunded, compromising passenger safety.

Gov. Patrick Deval insists the 'T' is safe.

"While the picture is sobering and the problem is serious, we now know exactly what needs to be fixed," Patrick said. "The job now is to fix it."

David D'Allesandro led the review at the request of the governor. He says the MBTA's deficit is likely to grow even larger in the coming years.

"It is clear that the reliability issues of the T...is more because of the lack of funding than any other issue," D'Allesandro said.

D'Allesandro said the legislature's 2000 plan failed to consider skyrocketing energy costs, payroll increases and increases in employer's health care cost.

The state underestimated funding by nearly $500 million.

To make up the difference, the MBTA has increased the fare several times. Now the governor says it is time to hold the line on fares while tackling some of the biggest problems outlined in the report.

"There is a lot of work that must be done to regain the public's confidence in the system," Patrick said.

The report suggest there are more than 50 critical projects that need to be addressed that would cost more than $500 million. One of those projects

is fixing a water leak between Alewife and Harvard. it's a project of big enough concern that the governor has ordered inspectors out to the area to update him on the condition. The report suggests a risk of future rail derailment if the problem goes unfixed.