MBTA Says Fare Hikes, Ferry Cuts Aren't Definite

The MBTA said last week that the proposed fare hikes and service cuts they announced earlier this month are not definite.

According to a story on Boston.com, Massachusetts Transportation Secretary Richard Davey said the scenarios were only designed to start a conversation and neither is a concrete proposal.

The Boston Globe story said Davey suggests MBTA commuters attend their town meetings that they have organized.

The MBTA has already outlined to reduce the over $161 million budget deficit projected for Fiscal Year 2013 in a presentation to legislators. Both proposals included fare hikes, the reduction of services and a complete elimination of the commuter boat subsidy.

Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Wymouth) and Rep. Garrett Bradley (D-Hingham) have ensured the town that there will be  to voice concerns over the MBTA’s proposals.

At a Hingham Selectmen meeting on Feb. 7, Bradley to attend the scheduled public meeting.

“We need to have these conversations, if you have suggestions then submit them,” said Bradley. “We need to tell the MBTA what works and what doesn’t. The public needs to be engaged, offer suggestions and go to the meetings.”

Hedlund has said he understands why the MBTA would increase prices but on why they have proposed service cuts.

"While it is concerning to be raising fares during a down economy, I can understand the need to increase fares throughout the entire MBTA system," Hedlund said. "I would prefer that fares are not increased, but the need for additional revenue at the agency is clear. What I cannot understand is why we would first create the commuter line- which abjectly affected a better, cheaper, and already existing means of public transportation to the tune of $513 million taxpayer dollars- then eliminate the subsidy that supported the most cost effective alternative."