MBTA Approves Fare Increase Proposal

BOSTON, MA — The MBTA approved the proposal to raise fares by 6.3 percent despite being met with public backlash from riders unhappy with T performance. The MBTA voted on the Fiscal Management and Control Board's proposed hike late Monday afternoon.

The MBTA announced plans in January to raise fares by 5.8 percent - the first hike in three years. MBTA officials said the "modest fare increase" across the entire system would help the transit system keep pace with rising costs by netting $32 million in additional revenue. If passed, it would start in July.

Mayor Marty Walsh who previously said he had concerns about the proposal's impact on seniors and young people applauded the move to keep the fare steady for certain populations.

"I’m pleased the MBTA adopted our recommendation to keep fares stable for seniors, riders with disabilities, and those who ride the bus. We still have further to go to ensure the MBTA is serving our residents equitably and effectively, but freezing rate hikes for those that would be impacted the most is the fair and responsible step forward towards a better transportation system for all," Walsh said in a statement after the meeting.

During the public comment section of the meeting person after person spoke out against raising the fares, including a representative of the Sierra Club of Massachusetts.

"The prospect of raising fares ... is really equivalent to class warfare," said Rep. Mike Connolly during Monday's meeting.

Someone from the MBTA advisory board stepped up to the mic indicate he supported the fare increase for the $41.2 million it could bring in, he said.

Coming right after the State Commission released a report on the Future of Transportation and the City of Boston announced a Carbon Free Boston initiative both highlighting the need for the city to grow public transit ridership for the economy and for environment, Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu argued in February there was some serious disconnect.

She collected more than 2,500 signatures arguing the proposal, that would raise the price of trip from $2.25 to $2.40, was taking the state in the wrong direction, and the MBTA should, instead, consider moving toward free ridership.

"We are running out of time to transform our economy and society in the face of climate change, and the Greater Boston region is now confronted with the worst traffic in the nation. The proposed fare increase represents a step in the wrong direction when we can't afford anything less than aggressive progress forward," the petition reads.

Riders complain that the MBTA services aren't good enough to merit the hike, pointing to frequent delays and poor communication. The MBTA increased weekday parking prices at many of its busiest stations last summer.

RELATED

• Riders Push Back Against MBTA Fare Increase Proposal
• MBTA Proposes 6.3 Percent Rate Hike

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