November 4, 2009 Report says T riders at risk Play video

(NECN: Brad Puffer - Boston, Mass.) - A new report finds years of neglect and mounting safety problems have caused major issues that put MBTA riders at risk.

The report, issued by Gov. Deval Patrick, says the MBTA's fleet is aging, and more than half of its projects remain unfunded.

Some of the biggest problems are water leaks that have corroded concrete slabs on the red line between Alewife and Harvard station. It's an $80 million fix. The report says if the problems, it could lead to derailment.

Gov. Patrick says despite the report, the T is safe for riders.

The report says problems were caused by a new funding plan for the MBTA started in 2000 by the legislature. The plan depended on sales tax revenues that actually went down. The plan also failed to consider skyrocketing energy cost and increases in employee health care, underestimating funding by $550 million. The MTBA has increased fares several times to try to fill the gap. Gov. Patrick says it is time to hold the line on fare increases.

NECN's Brad Puffer is in Boston with reaction to the report.