MBTA FARE HIKES and SERVICE CUTS

File under: Say it isn’t so

After months of public hearings, the MBTA released its final proposal to close a $160 million budget deficit for FY13.  The MBTA has proposed an average 23% fare increase which will raise the price of a monthly Link Pass (bus and subway) from $59 to $70, an 18.6% increase; eliminates four weekday bus routes (the 48, 355, 500, and 710); eliminates weekend commuter rail service on the Greenbush, Plymouth & Kingston, and Needham lines; increases the cost of the RIDE service from $2 to $4 for those within the required service area and eliminates Green E Line service on the weekends beyond Brigham Circle.

Some bus routes will be modified.

The MBTA proposes that the CT# 3 (which services the medical center) schedule be modified from 30 minutes to 60 minutes during mid-day only.

These proposals are a one-year stop gap to shore up the MBTA’s budget for FY13 and do not solve the MBTA’s long-term financial condition.

TranSComm will keep our employees and students posted as we prepare for the changes that will take place on July 1st.

For complete and detailed information re: fare hikes and service cuts, please visit www.mbta.com.