Council Steps Up Fight Against MBTA Cuts

Local group has now collected 500 signatures and the support of the Charlestown Neighborhood Council.

Elianna Nuzum, one of the group’s founders, spoke to the council Tuesday to ask for help communicating its message to the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority.

The group formed shortly after the authority announced . Both plans would eliminate the ferry, which Nuzum and others rely on for their daily commute.

Other residents have expressed opposition to plans that would eliminate the , and Nuzum said it could help Charlestown residents for the council to serve as a collecting point for different efforts.

“We could really benefit from one central group [taking charge,]” she said.

Councilor David Whelan said that he is aware of a number of efforts underway and that the council is already working on reaching out to the MBTA.

In conjunction with the fare increase and service reduction plans, the MBTA announced where commuters could express their opinions; none of those meetings were scheduled in Charlestown.

“We continue to work to get them here,” Whelan said.

Following Nuzum’s presentation, the council approved a motion authorizing the council to send a letter to the MBTA, noting the council’s opposition and desire to have a community meeting on the matter in town.