MBTA talks fare increases, service cuts

It may be almost impossible to avoid a fare increase on the MBTA, according to MassDOT Secretary Rich Davey.

In a worst case scenario, T riders could see ticket prices for trains shoot up from $2 to $3.25 for a ride.

That’s just one example of an unofficial plan prepared by MBTA staff as they examine ways to fight  $161 million of looming debt.

But the T has not released any definite proposals, and months of public hearings and discussions will come long before an increase in what rider’s pay.

State officials plan after the holidays to offer a “basket of options” for fare hikes and service reductions, according to Davey.

However, groups of daily riders are already lashing back at any possible fare proposals and trying to fight an increase.

“We believe a fare increase is just not fair,” said T Rider’s Union representative Gwendolyn Vincent. “Because we aren’t talking about the issue of fare increases we are talking about peoples' livelihood.”

Vincent attended an MBTA Board meeting yesterday with a flock of supporters behind her calling the potential increases and service cuts “unnecessary and unfair.”

“Ridership is at an all time high and [the MBTA] would lose that revenue and that ridership. [The T] needs to sustain the system,” said TRU member Lee Matsueda.

Matsueda invited acting General Manager Jon Davis to a meeting with TRU to look at other avenues for cutting costs.

“I will be there,” said Davis.

Speak Up
Got a gripe about what could be coming down the train tracks in the future?
Tell Davey yourself during one of the scheduled public hearings with MassDOT officials.
Davey and Division Administrators “look forward to discussing budget priorities, challenges and solutions.”

The hearing schedule:
•   Monday, Dec. 5, from 5-7 p.m. at the Worcester Public Library, 3 Salem Square, Worcester
•   Monday, Dec. 12, from 3-5 p.m. in Boston, Statehouse Room A-1
•   Thursday, Dec. 15, from 2-4 p.m. at the Springfield State Office Building, 436 Dwight Street