Published in the January 29, 2016 edition
BOSTON — The MBTA is holding a public comment meeting next week on its proposed fare increases and commuter rail schedule changes.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 2, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the State Transportation Building, Floor 2, Conference Rooms 1, 2 and 3 at 10 Park Plaza in Boston.
It is part of a series of 10 public meetings being held throughout the T service area on proposed fare changes and Late-Night service. Comments and suggestions raised by the traveling public with be shared with MBTA officials.
Oral and written comments may be sent by riders to the MBTA in advance of the decisions to be made on these issues jointly by the MBTA’s Fiscal Management Control Board and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT).
The fare increases are proposed to take effect on July 1, 2016 (the start of fiscal year 2017). The MBTA is seeking public comment on two fare options. A fare options interactive tool on the T website allows commuters to input data to determine exactly what these fare increases would mean for them. This tool (available at https://goo.gl/IBezHv) also enables the public to submit comments to the T electronically directly from the site.
Two options are proposed for increasing fares. Option 1 would raise fares systemwide an average of 6.71 percent with a projected increase in revenue of $33.2M. Option 2 would raise fares systemwide an average of 9.77 percent with a projected increase in revenue of $49.4M.
Both options include the following changes:
• Creation of a single express bus fare
• Creation of a single reduced-fare pass price for students, seniors and persons with disabilities
• Elimination of the 10-ride paper ticket for commuter rail (still available on the MBTA mTicket app.)
According to MBTA officials, these fare adjustments are one part of a broader effort by MassDOT to close the T’s $242 million structural deficit “with a series of cost-cutting measures and improvements in operational efficiency.”
The T’s Late-Night Pilot Program
The T’s Late-Night Pilot Program was launched in March 2014, extending service 90 minutes longer on all subways and key bus routes on Friday and Saturday nights. The purpose of the public meetings is to discuss current usage, the budget and closure dates, and to invite public input on designing future late-night service.
Comments about commuter rail schedule changes will also be accepted at some of the T’s scheduled public meetings.
Written comments accepted
Written comments on the T’s late night service will also be accepted through Friday, Feb.12, and should be mailed to: MBTA, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attn: Late-Night Service Committee.
Comments on late night service may also be submitted online at mbta.com; by email at latenightservice@mbta.com; or by phone at 617-222-5146.
Written comments about the MBTA’s fare increase proposals will be accepted through Friday, Feb. 12 and should be mailed to: MBTA, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attn: Fare Proposal Committee. Such comments may also be submitted online at mbta.com; by email at fareproposal@mbta.com; or by phone at 617-222-3200 or TTY 617-222-5146.
In addition to the Feb. 2 public comment meeting at the State Transportation Building, additional meetings in the area will be held at the following locations:
Wednesday, Feb. 3
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Walnut Hill School
12 Highland St., Natick
Topic: Commuter Rail schedule changes
Thursday, Feb. 4
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Bigelow Middle School
42 Vernon St., Newton
Topic: Fare Changes
Monday, Feb. 8
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Woburn City Hall Council Room
10 Common St., Woburn
Topic: Commuter Rail schedule changes
Tuesday, Feb. 9
6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Chelsea High School Auditorium
299 Everett Ave., Chelsea
Topic: Fare Changes
Visit www.mbta.com for more information about the MBTA’s proposal and schedule of public comment meetings.
