Gayla Cawley | The Boston Herald

“TransitMatters Executive Director Jarred Johnson tore into the MBTA Board of Directors, saying it was failing riders with the ‘hands-off approach’ taken during a time of crisis for the agency.

Johnson said during the recorded public comment period of Thursday’s MBTA board meeting that he understands the panel’s job is not easy, ‘but neither is being a T rider these days.’

‘This board is failing riders,”’Johnson said. ‘The system is in crisis, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t know that by watching a board meeting.’

He said it has been incredibly frustrating to read about elevator and escalator safety experts or staff in charge of hiring subway dispatchers appearing before the board, and learning that board members asked no questions—amid continued service cuts.”