Wynn Resorts to pay over $7 million to improve Orange Line

http://www.wcvb.com/news/wynn-resorts-to-pay-over-7-million-to-improve-orange-line/34465374



Company is first ever to subsidize MBTA operations

Wynn Resorts to pay over $7 million to improve Orange Line
UPDATED 11:06 AM EDT Jul 31, 2015

LAS VEGAS —Wynn Resorts announced Friday that it will pay the MBTA approximately $7.36 million over 15 years for improvements to the Orange Line.

The agreement comes as Wynn Resorts plans to opens a $1.7 billion resort in Everett. Wynn will pay the MBTA over $400,000 in 2018, with a 2.5 percent increase each year for the next 15 years.

This marks the first time in history that a private developer will subsidize MBTA operations. "The payments from Wynn to MBTA will have a far-reaching effect beyond the Wynn Resort in Everett," said Robert DeSalvio, president of Wynn Everett. DeSalvio said the subsidy means that every stop on the Orange Line will be have reduced wait times and that more people will use the MBTA.

Wynn is spending $76 million on local traffic improvements to promote the use of public transportation to Wynn Everett, including a year-round water transportation system that will connect passengers to Boston Harbor.