Friedrich Lu v. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (SPR 20212847)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records November 9, 2021 SPR21/2847; SPR21/2848 Stephen W. Shorey, Esq. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority 10 Park Plaza Boston, MA 02116 Dear Attorney Shorey, I have received the petitions of Friedrich Lu appealing the nonresponse of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to requests for public records. G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Specifically, Mr. Lu requested information regarding various bus route timings. Under the Public Records Law and the Access Regulations (Regulations) all requests for public records must be met with a response within 10 business days of receipt of the request. G. L. c. 66, § l0(a)-(b). The response may contain, among other things, an offer to provide records, a fee estimate for provision of the records, or a denial. G. L. c. 66, § l0(b). All records custodians must comply with both the Public Records Law and the Regulations with respect to the timeliness of response. Despite being notified of the opening of these appeals and a communication from a member of the Public Records Division staff, no response that indicates a clear intent to respond has been provided. Accordingly, the MBTA is ordered to provide Mr. Lu with a response to the requests, provided in a manner consistent with this order, the Public Records Law and its Regulations within 10 business days. A copy of any such response must be provided to this office. It is preferable to send an electronic copy of this response to this office at pre@sec.state.ma.us. Sincerely, Rebecca S. Murray Supervisor of Records cc: Friedrich Lu One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us