MBTA GM Likes Fare Hikes Over Service Cuts

The MBTA's General Manager Jonathan Davis has been hearing it from riders the last few weeks, and he says he's listened.

The Boston Globe reported Sunday Davis prefers fare hikes over service cuts to the transit system, which needs to address a $161 million budget deficit.

Since announcing two possible scenarios to address the shortfall - one that included massive service cuts and the other with hefty fare hikes - Davis and other MBTA officials have been touring the state, sitting in on public hearings where T riders weighed in on the offers.

Davis's endorsement of fare hikes over cuts comes with little surprise. Following a hearing in Medford put on by legislators earlier in February, Davis said riders had clearly told him they would prefer to pay more than to lose service.

“What we’re hearing across the board is not only do they not want reductions, they want increases to public tranportation,” Davis told Patch. “However, we have the stark reality of a $161 million deficit, and we’re required to submit a balanced budget to our board of directors.”