MBTA Board Weighing Fare Hike Options
BOSTON (CBS/AP) -- Average fares on the MBTA could increase up to nearly 10 percent in July under proposals outlined by officials of the financially-strapped Boston-area transit system.
In its first meeting of the new year on Monday, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's control board was considering four options that would raise fares system-wide between 4.6 percent and 9.8 percent. The actual increases would vary widely for riders, depending on the mode of transportation they use and whether they buy monthly passes.
Last month, the board approved a policy that allowed rates to be raised 10 percent every two years, setting the stage for a new round of fare hikes. MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola has said that fares will be raised one way or another.
In the end, the board voted to send two proposals out for more public meetings. One plan would add up to around 5 percent, the other more like 10 percent.
At Wellington Station, where a stuck train caused delays Monday morning, T riders were not happy with the idea of their ride costing more.
"If they're delaying, why should we pay more?" said Chris, a college student who rides the T each day from Lynn. "Either be on time, or make it cheaper."
"Well it'd be the wrong year to do it, because last year at this time they didn't run at all," another rider said.
Another called fare hikes a very "regressive policy" leading to possibly more people driving cars.
A final decision on hikes would not be made until after public hearings are held.
Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack stressed that raising fares is only part of a strategy to erase the T's estimated $242 million operating deficit, and plans also call for cutting costs and tapping other revenue sources.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)