MBTA Fare Hikes Protested By Politicians

BOSTON —Despite calls to hold off until the Red Line was fixed, the MBTA on Monday raised fares, bringing the cost of a one-way trip to $2.40, up from $2.25. In response, more than two dozen state and local elected officials, led by Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu, spent the morning commute on trains from Newton to Dorchester to East Boston protesting the hikes.

Local politicians, including Boston Mayaor Marty Walsh, demanded the MBTA delay the fare hikes after a derailment on the Red Line last month caused massive damage.

In Coolidge Corner in Brookline Monday, Rep. Tommy Vitolo wore a sticker reading "#unfairhikes July 1, 2019." It included the image of a tea cup with the MBTA logo inside. Vitolo, a Democrat from Brookline, and a team of volunteers handed out stickers and information on the fare hikes and spoke to commuters about how the higher fares affected them.

"The T is increasing prices, but not improving quality," Vitolo said in an email. "Service is frequently delayed and overcrowded, preventing riders in Coolidge Corner and the Village from boarding during rush hour. We need leadership from Governor Baker in prioritizing public transportation in Boston and across the state, so people can get to where they need to go safely, reliably, and affordably."

A host of lawmakers appeared at commuter rail stations in Andover, Framingham, Haverhill, Worcester, Salem and Roslindale. In Waltham, City Council candidate Colleen Bradley Macarthur spoke with commuters.

Here's how it looked out there:

Green Line:

Newton:

Red Line:

Blue Line:

Orange Line:

MBTA officials projected the money from 15-cent T hike and some other increases on the commuter rail will bring in close to $30 million, which will help keep the T's deficit down. Local bus fares didn't go up.

What do other cities pay for transit on the trains?

In New York City, the fare for a subway or local bus ride is $2.75. The L in Chicago costs $2.50. In Washington, D.C., metro fares are calculated by how many stops you travel and vary during peak and off-peak hours. During peak hours, most fares range from $2.25 to $6 per trip. During off-peak hours, fares range from $1.85 to $3.85.

Previous:

• MBTA Fare Hike Takes Effect Today; Protests Planned
• MBTA Fare Increase 'Unfair' Until Red Line Is Fixed: Boston
• Riders Push Back Against MBTA Fare Increase Proposal
• MBTA Approves Fare Increase Proposal
• MBTA Proposes 6.3 Percent Rate Hike

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).