POLL: How Would the MBTA's Changes Affect You?
The MBTA is proposing three scenarios that would result in higher fare prices and/or reduced service.
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The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's recently-proposed cuts to service and increase in fare prices have created a bit of stir in the last few weeks.
Due to the its $161 million budget shortfall in fiscal year 2013, the MBTA has proposed two scenarios to help deal with the debt, both of which include elimination of several bus routes, all ferries, and commuter rail service after 10 p.m. and on weekends.
The first scenario would comprise an increase in fares by 43 percent, while the second would include an increase in fares by 35 percent, but with drastic cuts to bus service.
But the MBTA is now weighing a third option that would involve no service cuts, and fare increase would be less than with the MBTA's two current proposals.
That third scenario would comprise a 25 percent fare increase, and would shift the cost of security to the State Department of Public Safety. Massport, meanwhile, would bear the cost of ferry service, and there would be no pay raises among the MBTA for FY '13.
Either way, a change will occur, and we're wondering how you as residents and commuters feel about the situation. Let us know your thoughts by voting in today's poll and weighing in with comments below.
Jorge J
7:30 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
Increase in fares should go hand in hand with reliable and timely service. With gas prices predicted to go up to $5/gal, one would think ridership should be expected to go up. How will that be handled if some service is eliminated? Also, perhaps MBTA management should look into the exorbitant overtime payments to drivers (see the Fox story, http://bit.ly/ytXa3J); perhaps this is another approach at reducing the budget shortfall.
Cool Fusion
9:05 am on Saturday, February 18, 2012
Excluding loan payments, The AAA calculates that it costs $8588 to drive a medium sedan 15,000 miles a year. That's about $24.50 per day - so those using the MBTA can well afford an increase to their ride to a concert without forcing the state taxpayer to give them taxi fare.