The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) proposed a mix of fare increases and service reductions that could eliminate numerous critical bus routes
(including the 450, 451, 456, 459, 465, and 468 buses) cancel some weekend rail service and increase fares across the board from 35 to 43%.
The fare hikes and service reductions are an attempt to close the agency’s $161 million budget gap and will be the subject of over 20 public meetings being
held between mid-January and March. The fare increases will most hurt those riders who can least afford it, particularly students and seniors who could see
an even steeper increase in bus fare passes. We need your help in asking all of our Senators and Legislators in the Statehouse to craft a long-term funding plan for the MBTA that does not balance the budget on the backs of riders.
Take action today!
1. Look up your elected Senator and Representative in the MA Statehouse
2. Call them both and tell them why public transit is important to you, and what choices you would be forced to make if the fares were increased and services you use cut. Ask them to attend a hearing in your area on Wednesday January 25 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. in Salem at the City Hall Annex,120 Washington Street, and in Lynn Feb 7 at Lynn City Hall, 3 City Hall Square.
3. Attend the hearing yourself and ask for alternative solutions from the MBTA and state legislature!
To request translation, please contact Trish Foley at MBTA: 617-973-7073
Fare hikes and service cuts are unfair and short-sighted! They place the burden of the T’s deficit on the backs of T riders, who are traveling in ways that benefit the environment. Fare hikes & service cuts harm those who can least afford it! The highest proposed fare increases are for seniors, students, and people with disabilities. The T has proposed eliminating weekend commuter rail service and bus service in the North Shore. Fare hikes & service cuts are not the best answer! Any fare increase or cut in service should be part of a plan that considers funding from other sources, such as federal and state government or an increase to the gas tax.
MBTA Fare Hikes/Service Cuts Proposals – January 2012
SUMMARY OF SERVICE CHANGES
In summary, the two scenarios include the following service changes:
Scenario 1
• Bus: Eliminate routes that fail the cost standard (greater than three
times the system-wide average net cost per passenger):
o Weekday Routes: 4, 48, 52, 170, 217, 275, 276, 277, 325, 351, 354, 355, 436, 439, 448, 449, 451, 465, 468, 500, 554, 555, and CT3
o Saturday Routes: 33, 48, 52, 72, 78, 136, 171, 211, 230, 245, 275, 276, 277, 436, 451, 465, 504, 553, and 554
o Sunday Routes: 18, 37/38, 43, 59, 78, 136, 137, 171, 201, 202, 211, 230, 245, 275, 276, 277, 431, and 436
• Subway: Eliminate weekend service on the Mattapan High-Speed Line and the E Branch of the Green Line.
• Commuter Rail: Eliminate all service after 10:00 PM and all Saturday and Sunday service.
• Ferry: Eliminate Commuter Boat Program (Charlestown, Hingham, Hull, and Quincy routes).
• Private Bus: Eliminate routes that fail the cost standard (greater than three times the system wide average net cost per passenger):
o Private Carrier Bus Program in Canton and Medford
o All Suburban Bus Program subsidies (Bedford, Beverly, Boston [Mission Hill], Burlington, Dedham, and Lexington)
Scenario 2
• Bus: Eliminate and revise routes for approximately $60.0 million in savings, based on a consideration of both geographic coverage and average net cost per passenger; improve frequencies of remaining bus routes by 10 percent. [This includes the 451 and 465 buses that have service in Peabody, Danvers and all of Beverly.]
• Subway: Eliminate weekend service on the Mattapan High-Speed Line and the E Branch of the Green Line.
• Commuter Rail: Eliminate all service after 10:00 PM and all Saturday and Sunday service.
• Ferry: Eliminate Commuter Boat Program (Charlestown, Hingham, Hull, and Quincy routes).
• Private Bus: Eliminate all routes:
o Private Carrier Bus Program in Canton, Hull, Medford, and Winthrop
o All Suburban Bus Program subsidies (Bedford, Beverly, Boston [Mission Hill], Burlington, Dedham, and Lexington)
In short, both proposals significantly increase fares for everyone, with the biggest hit on students, seniors, and low-income communities that cannot afford the increase and include:
- Eliminating E Line and Mattapan trolley service on weekends
- Eliminating bus service in low-income communities and communities of color
- Reducing RIDE paratransit options for the disabled
- Eliminating MBTA-run ferries
HELPFUL TALKING POINTS
1. The proposed fare hikes of 28-40% and service cuts scenarios are unacceptable
• These proposals will drive people off the MBTA system, increasing congestion on our roads and pollution in our air.
• These proposals put the entire burden on people who ride the T, and will especially harm those who have no other option but to rely on the T to get to school, work, doctor’s appointments, and other places. It will hurt the local economy.
2. The MBTA’s current budget problems are the result of long standing problems resulting from the law governing T finances and will not be fixed by the proposed service cuts/fare hikes scenarios.
• Next year the MBTA will have the same problem of meeting its growing operating deficit. The scenarios also do not close the T’s maintenance deficit.
• A long-term solution is needed; that will require the administration and the Legislature to work together to develop funding mechanisms that consider a bigger picture than just the MBTA’s operating debt for the year.
Equity
• The proposals hit the most vulnerable populations, yet still do not solve the long-term problem of funding the MBTA.
Economy
• The proposals not only hurt the household budget of people that use public transportation, but the legislature’s failure to address long-term operation and maintenance issues represents a threat to the region’s economic well-being.
Environment
• The proposals will discourage use of public transit and promote more vehicle trips, which contribute to increased fuel use, increased traffic congestion, and more air and climate pollution.
Please take some time and let your voice be heard. - Thank you.