Massachusetts Senator Mark Montigny ‘Pissed’ Over South Coast Rail Failures

Massachusetts State Senator Mark Montigny is expressing serious frustration with the South Coast Rail rollout and the MBTA service issues. He’s alarmed by the number of canceled trains and how frequently commuters have been left stranded without warning.  This treatment of passengers has not only caused commuter frustrations, it has angered the longtime state senator.

“I’m pissed,” he said bluntly during a radio appearance on Fun 107's MGM Show this week.

Montigny Demands Accountability from the MBTA

No one has been involved with bringing South Coast Rail to New Bedford longer than Mark Montigny. He wrote the original legislation, bonding, and funding authorizations that made the South Coast Rail project possible.

On Wednesday, he joined The MGM Show to publicly voice his displeasure and pressure the MBTA for answers. Montigny submitted a list of 15 urgent questions to the transit authority and expects a full response by Friday.

“The reason the tone of the letter is a little bit edgy and angry… is because people were left stranded,” Montigny explained. “Not every person I represent has an Uber app or can afford a $50 or $100 ride home. That’s unacceptable.”

LISTEN:  Montigny Joins MGM Show

South Coast Rail Faces Scrutiny Over Cancelled Trains

Montigny emphasized that he has faith in the new general manager overseeing South Coast Rail but said public hearings are not off the table.

“I don’t want it to become a witch trial, but if needed, we’ll go there,” he said.

Montigny Calls for Emergency Planning, Free Weekend Rides

Montigny said the MBTA must identify what went wrong, why there wasn’t an emergency plan in place, and how they will prevent this from happening again. Once full service is restored, he believes the MBTA should extend free weekend rides until buses are no longer needed.

“As long as there’s a bus anywhere near this rail line,” Montigny said, “you haven’t finished your free weekend.”