Negative Health Impacts of MBTA Cuts in New MAPC Report

The MBTA is keeping its commuters and areas of operation healthy, according to a study from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). A new report to be unveiled at the State House this afternoon details some of the impacts to public health as a result of .

“These findings show that land use and transportation decisions can profoundly affect the health of our region’s residents,” said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of MAPC in the press release. “Our transit system is vital to keeping Greater Boston healthy.”   

Some of the statistics from their report indicate that health costs could go up $272.1 million under scenario one, and $386.9 million under scenario two –which is more than the $161 million budget gap the MBTA aims to fill. In addition to extra costs from car crashes under both scenarios, the report notes that scenario one includes 10 additional preventable deaths, 15 under scenario two. 

The report goes on to detail an increase in CO2 emissions of 58,000 tons. It also predicts 550 people will be isolated from basic healthcare under scenario one, a number that increases to 2,200 under the second scenario proposed.

These results echo brought up by speakers at the various public hearings the MBTA has held in , , and , as well as the .

On the heels of  released last week, the MAPC is set to announce the results of their study at 2:45 p.m. today.

Below is the full press release: 

MAPC RELEASES STUDY ON HEALTH IMPACTS OF PROPOSED MBTA CUTS

Report shows stark effects on air quality, obesity rates, heart disease and asthma in Greater Boston

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) today released a report showing that the proposed changes to MBTA fares and service would carry significant human and financial costs for the region, resulting in avoidable losses of life and hundreds of millions of dollars in preventable hospitalizations and accidents each year. The study, which is being released at the State House today, shows that proposed fare increases and service cuts at the T would contribute to the area’s obesity epidemic while increasing harmful emissions and isolating hundreds of households from basic health care services. 

The study shows that even modest changes to the MBTA system would result in costs that far exceed the budget shortfall which the proposed changes are seeking to address.

The MBTA, in an effort to close a projected deficit of $161 million this year, has proposed two sets of fare increases and service cuts: Under Scenario 1, fares would increase by 43 percent and service reductions would affect between 34 and 48 million trips annually; under Scenario 2, fares would increase by 35 percent and service reductions would affect between 53 and 64 million trips each year. MAPC estimated the regional impacts of each proposal on vehicle miles travelled, time spent driving, ridership loss and air quality. 

“These findings show that land use and transportation decisions can profoundly affect the health of our region’s residents,” said Marc Draisen, Executive Director of MAPC. “Our transit system is vital to keeping Greater Boston healthy.”   

“MAPC’s health impact assessment is an important contribution to the discussion of potential MBTA fare increases and service cuts,” said State Representative Jason Lewis, Co-chair of the legislature’s Prevention for Health Caucus. “It is clear that any changes in fares or service quality that reduce ridership will have a harmful impact on public health and productivity.”  Among the report’s key findings: 

• The total annual health costs of the proposed MBTA cuts total $272.1 million under Scenario 1 and $386.9 million under Scenario 2 – more than the T’s $161 million deficit.

• The cost of additional car crashes, including those with bicycles and pedestrians, totals $33.6 million under Scenario 1 and $48.8 million in Scenario 2.

• Scenario 1 would result in 10 avoidable deaths per year (15 for Scenario 2).

• About 30,000 people would shift from transit use to driving (49,000 for Scenario 2), resulting in more than 70 (120) new cases of obesity per year.

• Increased congestion would lead to an uptick in CO2 emissions of over 58,000 metric tons per year – the equivalent of nearly 135,000 barrels of oil – or over 52,000 additional metric tons under Scenario 2.

• At least 550 transit-dependent households would be isolated from basic health care resources under Scenario 1, or 2,200 households in Scenario 2.

“Living in a health care hub, we often think of health as something that happens in a doctor’s office. But this report highlights that the region’s most important resources for health aren’t limited to our world-class hospitals and doctors,” said Mariana Arcaya, MAPC Public Health Manager and a co-author of the report. “MBTA service prevents accidents, reduces air pollution, and helps residents fit physical activity into their daily lives.” 

For more information on the report, visit www.mapc.org or contact Public Health Manager Mariana Arcaya at 617-451-2700 x2065 or marcaya@mapc.org.