The MBTA reportedly applied for more than $15 million in U.S. government grants to fund security programs and improvements this year, but will receive just $3.25 million – down from $6.6 million it received in 2012.
The Boston Globe reports the cuts will not affect transit police staffing, but means some planned security improvements will not go forward. In 2009, the MBTA received $29 million from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, according to the report.
Nationwide, Homeland Security reduced grants by $74 million, according to the Globe. but grants have dropped since then.
For comparison, New York's transportation authority received $22.5 million, according to the Globe. The San Francisco Bay Area transit system received nearly $13 million. Transit systems in Los Angeles and Chicago each received $7 million.
According to the Globe, the Boston area as a whole received about $7 million more in homeland security funding this year, bringing total grants to about $17.5 million.
The Globe report didn't specify which MBTA security improvements are on the cutting room floor.
Related links:
Boston, Cambridge, Quincy
Industries:
Logistics & Transportation
Granted MBTA got some of the pie money, but this is right in IMSC's backyard. The government probably lowered Boston as a "risk venue" after the bombing earlier. And felt New York and San Fran deserved more of the pie money.
My question is...how serious are we as a nation when it comes to public safety?
AI
