MBTA Fare Increase 'Unfair' Until Red Line Is Fixed: Boston Mayor

BOSTON — A week after a Red Line train derailed, disrupting commutes around the city, the MBTA on Monday struggled to get the system back up to normal as commuters and city officials demanded repairs before a fare increase next month. Mayor Marty Walsh was the latest to join in.

"There should be no fare increase until the Red Line is fixed," he tweeted Monday. "The MBTA must act with urgency and it's unfair to ask riders to pay more until the Red Line is fully operational."

MBTA officials said the fare increase was still slated to happen. The MBTA, which has not raised fares since 2016, plans to increase prices 5.8 percent July 1. State law allows the MBTA to raise fares at regular, modest increments, limiting increases to once every 2 years and a cap of no more than 7 percent for each increase.

Nearly a week after the Red Line derailment, the MBTA still has not figured out what caused the derailment, though flaws with the track, human error and foul play have been ruled out. Investigators were looking at whether the 50-year-old car or its wheels, replaced in 2014, were to blame, MBTA General Manager Steven Poftak told the T's oversight board, the State House News Service reported Monday.

An online petition that is asking the MBTA to delay implementation of the cost hikes had more than 5,000 signatures Monday.

Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu is also among the vocal opponents to the increases in fares:

Related:

• After 4 Train Derailments In 2019, System Still 'Safe:' MBTA
• Riders Push Back Against MBTA Fare Increase Proposal
• MBTA Approves Fare Increase Proposal

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).