MBTA Says Final Proposal Will Include Service Cuts, Fare Increases

As the MBTA concluded their 31 public hearings this week, Richard A. Davey, Secretary and CEO of MassDOT, and  , said their final proposal will include both cuts and a fare increase.

In a letter addressed on Tuesday afternoon to their customers Davey and Davis said they will continue to work on identifying “one-time” revenues that will allow the MBTA “to stave off” some of the proposed service cuts for the upcoming year, but without help from State officials, they will propose service cuts and fare increases.

Secretary Davey said subway fares, now $1.70 with a Charlie Card, are likely to increase  between $2.25 to $2.40 while bus fares, now at $1.25 are likely to be raised to the $1.50 to $1.75 range, according to the BostonChannel.com.

Davey and Davis were not specific on which services would be cut but said the MBTA will lay out final recommendation for closing their $159 million budget gap for Fiscal Year 2013 before their Board Meeting on April 4.

“We have been honest about our financial problems and we thank you for your willingness to listen,” the letter stated. “Massive debt costs, coupled with increased operating expenses for things like energy and health care are overburdening our system. The system we have today we cannot afford and the system we want is well beyond reach.”

In January, the that would raise the price of fares and cut services to close their $159 million budget gap.

One proposal would limit a fare hike increase while cutting transit services.  The nearby bus routes that would be eliminated would be North Weymouth, East Weymouth, Hingham Center and Hull. The second scenario would limit cuts but include fare increases.  Both plans call for the elimination of the Hingham to Boston ferry service.

In their letter addressed to customers, Davey and Davis thanked customers for their engagement.  According to Davey and Davis, nearly 6,000 residents attended the 31 public meetings held in Massachusetts communities including They also said that the MBTA had received 5,850 emails from riders about the importance of the MBTA in their lives.

“The choices before us are difficult..,” the letter stated. “Hearing your individual stories only makes them more so. We know that a quality, reliable public transit system is essential to getting our customers to work, school, doctor’s appointments and other activities. We know a public transit option makes our air cleaner and roads less congested. And we know that it is a lifeline for many of you.”

The MBTA and the Mass DOT said it is their hope that they can continue discussions in the coming weeks and months with state officials to find a way to continue to provide a "world-class public transit system" to their customers

A final decision on the MBTA changes will likely be made by April and the final decisions to the MBTA’s rate and service structure will not go into effect until July 1.