POLL: How Do You Feel About the MBTA's Approved Fare Hikes?
The plan, effective July 1, includes a 23 percent rise in fares and a cut in service.
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When the vote was heard, the room filled with the shouts of "Shame on You!"
That was the initial public reaction on Thursday to the MBTA's approval of a plan that aims to boost fares 23 percent and cut service back to help rectify a $161 million deficit.
MBTA board members approved the plan in a 4-1 vote, which would raise most subway fares by 30 cents, bus fares by 25 cents, and commuter rail fares by at least $1.25. The new fares are effective July 1.
There's been a mix of reaction from Patch readers over the issue, even since the MBTA's first two proposals, which looked to increase fares by up to 43 percent and make drastic cuts to service on the commuter rail at night and on weekends.
So, now that the new plan has been approved, what do you think? Are you surprised? Let us know in today's poll and weigh in with comments below.
Bb Don
11:15 am on Thursday, April 5, 2012
Aren't we paying more than our fair share? Who has been 'minding the store' with all of the tax money we pay? I don't know about you, buy my vehicle has suffered due to the bad roads. We deserve a rebate for having to put money into our cars while traveling these road -- and all the while paying excise taxes, exorbidant tunnel and highway tolls, real estate taxes, state taxes, etc.
On top of the high gas prices, the taxes and tolls, the damages done to our cars due to these bad roads, my T-pass is going up about 20 percent! Are you kidding? Where do you think we're getting all this extra money?
David Chase
2:02 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
What I've read (which could be wrong, you never know) says that gas taxes (overall) don't adequately fund road construction and upkeep. There are two problems -- one is that we probably undertax heavy trucks (road aging is mostly caused by trucks, till the cracks are in place and it rains, in which case everyone tears them up). The second problem is that it may be cheaper to "pay" people to not use the roads by subsidizing mass transit, than it would be to build enough roads for all those people.
Janice Rudenauer
2:02 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
Ironic but true headline: MBTA approves plan to boost fares, cut service.
How about: MBTA manages within their budget. Period.
One day soon, we will run out of 'other people's money' -- until then, politicians hit the tax/fee/spend button over and over and over...and we keep voting for them. Use your vote wisely....at the city, state, and federal level.
MJ
10:25 am on Friday, April 6, 2012
Am I the only one who finds the T rates reasonable? Compared to paying for gas, insurance, parking, upkeep to a car, the T is reasonable.
Cheryl Yakavonis
11:58 am on Friday, April 6, 2012
Can someone clarify what route (s) are affected for Burlington residents dependant upon bus services- Thanks
Harry Forsdick
6:56 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
The T is a bargain even with the increased fares. Compare what you pay in the Boston area with what you pay in any other major city and you discover that we are getting a deal.
The other thing to remember is that the T is saddled with the Big Dig expenses -- which is wrong. Big Dig expenses ought to be supported by people driving cars.
Grant Mukaï
5:17 pm on Friday, April 13, 2012
I have traveled all over North America and Europe and can tell you that Boston already had the cheapest transportation I've ever seen.
In North America alone, New York City is over $2. Montréal is $3 and Québec City is $3 just to take the bus. Depending on where you are going in Washington DC, a one-way trip could cost you about $5.