State audit of MBTA finds $100 million gap

BOSTON (WHDH) -- A state audit of the MBTA shows a $100 million gap, but the company claims the money is not missing, but that a software malfunction is to blame.

The state auditor, Suzanne Bump, said she is putting the MBTA on notice and the system needs to be fixed because revenue is not being recorded properly.

“We didn’t find evidence that theft had occurred, but we certainly found ample evidence that it is a distinct possibility,” said Bump.

Bump is questioning the MBTA’s automated fare collection system on buses and trolleys after discrepancies and inadequacies were uncovered.

Auditors found that during a 5-year period, $123.8 million in fare box cash receipts were deposited, but more than $225.5 million in fare box cash receipts were recorded by the system, leaving $101.7 million in fares that have not properly tracked.

“There is no evidence of any loss or theft here as it relates to the revenue we have collected,” said the acting MBTA general manager, Jonathan Davis.

Davis said the problem stems from a system integration problem.

“One software system is not reporting accurately to a second software system,” said Davis.

Riders are concerned about where their money is going and how this situation will be resolved.

“How can that much money be up in the air?” said one MBTA rider.

“Check with the engineering, whoever designed it. See what kind of flaws there might have been in it,” said another.

State auditors said when the audit was conducted, a number of keys that provided access to fare box cash were missing. The MBTA said it is working with its vendors and the software will be fixed.