Suspend MBTA fares

Boston officials are staring at a commuter uprising over new delays in the Big Dig tunnels and are urging motorists to leave their cars at home:

Officials are urging commuters to take public transportation, alternate routes, or seek staggered work hours.

Acting Boston Transportation Commissioner Thomas J. Tinlin said today's commute will be the worst since Milena Del Valle died a week ago today when concrete ceiling panels fell inside the I-90 connector tunnel and crushed the car that her husband was driving to Logan.

“Our message to the commuting public is that if you have to come into the city of Boston, do everything you can to leave your vehicle at home,” he said. “Allow yourself extra time. The best way to get into the city at this time is the MBTA.”

That would be the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority which extends spider-like from Boston. If Mitt Romney truly wants to alleviate vehicle congestion in Boston, he should suspend all MBTA fares until such time as the tunnels re-open. Not only would this help Boston-area workers get to their jobs, the lost MBTA revenue would serve as a daily reminder to Beacon Hill the consequences of their failed oversight.