Beverly Scott MBTA

MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott announcing the expansion of the late night T service at Kendall Square in Cambridge.

(Garrett Quinn, MassLive)

BOSTON -- MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott told MassLive that service on Greater Boston's beleaguered public transportation should be somewhat better this morning as the system has restored 100 cars to its fleet.

"It certainly is improved from yesterday, but we still have a long way to go," said Scott.

The Orange and Red Lines were running at approximately 40-50 percent on Tuesday while other services suffered significant delays systemwide. Scott said the T is adding 25 percent today to what was operational on Tuesday.

"When I say it's a lot better today than yesterday, I mean we're counting them switch-by-switch, car-by-car. We have a really big focus to get more equipment out there," said Scott.

The unexpectedly high snowfall on Monday combined with brutally cold temperatures Tuesday was like a swift overhand combo to the MBTA's jaw that knocked the system on its feet and humbled its capacity. Commuters took to social media to express their outrage while Gov. Charlie Baker weighed in on the MBTA's longstanding problems. Pundits argued that MBTA's problems can be traced back to an unusual financial package that has strangled the agency with debt from the Big Dig .

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo noted Tuesday that many of the Red Line cars that have been knocked out of commission by the snow and cold have been in operation since the Blizzard of 1978.

"A week of constant exposure to frigid temperatures, ice, and record snowfall has taken a major toll on the MBTA's vehicles and infrastructure. Rail service, particularly on the Red Line and Commuter Rail, will be severely impacted," said Pesaturo.

New cars for the Orange and Red Line are under contract to be assembled at a new plant in Springfield, but they will not be ready for delivery until 2018 and 2019 at the earliest.

"We appreciate everybody's patience," said Scott.

Scott said that MBTA will not be able to run normal or even expanded service for today's parade celebrating the New England Patriots Super Bowl championship. It's unknown how many people will venture into the city by MBTA or car to attend the parade, but previous championship parades have attracted millions.

"Just to be candid, we can't even begin to do the things we would normally do for special events like this," said Scott.

The recent problems have resulted in MBTA officials urging commuters to avoid using the service, but city officials have been adamant that paradegoers use public transportation. When asked if there was a disconnect between Boston City Hall and the MBTA on hosting the parade Wednesday, Scott said that she liked the mayor and was not interested in playing Monday Morning Quarterback.

In an interview with WBZ, Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack urged those interested in attending to use the MBTA, and specifically the Blue Line.