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BOSTON — In a move that will affect rail commuters using Westborough and Grafton T stations, Central Mass riders may find themselves paying more for a train ticket into Boston.
How do you feel about the proposed increase in MBTA rail fare?
-
Unacceptable – it's expensive enough already
74% -
I'm not happy, but it's a reasonable increase
19% -
The increase is needed and it's long overdue
7% -
No opinion
0%
MassDOT CEO Richard A. Davey and MBTA Acting General Manager Jonathan Davis announced Wednesday, March 28, final proposals for cuts and increases to the state's commuter rail, bus, subway and other services.
The decision was made in response to a $185 million shortfall the transportation authority is facing.
"Today, we are proposing an overall 23 percent increase in fares, which will generate $72.9 million in revenue," the officials stated in a joint message on the MBTA Web site. "This is the first time in more than five years that the MBTA would raise fares."
As a result, commuter rail single trip and monthly passes would increase an average of 29 percent, depending on the zone of travel.
Comments (5)
The entire system is corrupt. They should revisit the compensation packages given out. Pretty soon it will be less expensive to drive into the city. Why dont they put some tolls up on route 93 to help pay off some of the debt this corrupt state government has piled up.
I attended and spoke at the Worcester citizen input meeting. The MBTA finances are a deliberate mess, they are now required to help finance $3 billion in bonds for the big dig project. The State is basically digging into different pockets other then direct taxation to help finance the big dig. The commuter rail patron is just one of those pockets to be shaken for chump change.
This is one area and just one example of where A.L. would be an improvement in representation at the State House.
To the 16 people who have (so far) voted that the increase is "unacceptable," what did you do to try and prevent the fare hikes? Did you call any of your elected officials? Did you attend one of the 20+ public meetings and go on the record? If not, take the penalties that come with inaction.
Thanks,
Zach Tucker
It's funny you are asking this of the people who ride the T. Why are these questions not directed at those who are generously compensated by the T complete with pensions and (in some cases) company issued vehicles? It is there responsibility to manage this organization which they have done a very poor job of doing. Why is it up to the person who pays daily for their ride into Boston to keep the T's overhead down? What has the T done to listen to the MANY people who HAVE voiced their opinion? To somehow claim that this situation is due to the inaction of the riders is laughable. This situation is due to the incompetence and mismanagement of those in charge of the T or our state government for that matter as far back as I can recall.
Not even the most ardent supporter of the T can't argue that there are entitlement and management issues at every level in the organization. However, with former-GM (and now MassDOT Secretary) Davey and now-Acting GM Davies, there have been some definite and positive steps taken to curb the pattern of mismanagement. Over the past 3 months alone, the GM's staff has identified $35 million in administrative efficiencies to be saved and moved the entire agency over to a cheaper health plan. The pensions will not change without any give-and-take from the Carman's Union, which is another huge issue to be dealt with.
"It is there (sic) responsibility to manage this organization which they have done a very poor job of doing." -> Well, that's interesting. February was the 13th-straight month of ridership growth. In January, the Commuter Rail had a 96% on-time arrival rate. Really sounds like people are disgusted and are avoiding the system because Sec Davey and GM Davies are running it into the ground, huh?
"Why is it up to the person who pays daily for their ride into Boston to keep the T's overhead down." -> YOU AREN'T. The GM has said over and over and over again that every single penny of fares collected goes to pay off the debt. Debt that was so graciously given to the MBTA by former Gov Cellucci and Swift.
Now, ten years later, the governor and the legislature still haven't done anything about the crushing debt load that is sucking all of YOUR money out of their bank accounts, so you are still stuck with the bill.