Needham To Discuss MBTA Cuts

Needham residents will have the chance to voice their opinions about proposed changes to MBTA service at a public hearing scheduled for Monday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the second-floor Powers Hall at Needham Town Hall.

The purpose of this community meeting, which is being organized by the Needham Transportation Committee, is to provide interested Needham residents with the latest information about the fare increases and service reductions proposed by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), as well as an opportunity to comment on the specifics of the proposals.

This meeting is not sponsored by the MassDOT/MBTA, but is a local meeting for the sole purpose of reviewing the impact of the proposals on the Needham community. The NTC will use the information developed in this forum as the basis for its recommendations to the Needham Board of Selectmen concerning this issue.

Needham is served by four Commuter Rail stations (Needham Heights, Needham Center, Needham Junction and Hersey) as well as an MBTA bus line, all of which would be impacted by the proposed changes. The proposal features two major scenarios:

• With Scenario 1, the price of a Zone 2 Commuter Rail ticket (the Needham Line) would jump from $4.75 per ride ($9.50 roundtrip) to $7 per ride ($14 roundtrip), an increase by nearly 50 percent. Also, Sunday bus service for Needham's Bus 59 would be eliminated, as would all Commuter Rail service after 10 p.m. and on weekends.
• With Scenario 2, the Commuter Rail price for Zone 2 would jump from $4.75 per ride to $6.50 per ride. The Bus 59 route would be completely eliminated, and Commuter Rail service would end at 10 p.m. on weekdays and be cut on weekends, according to an MBTA pamphlet outlining the proposals.

At the Feb. 27 meeting, state Sen. Richard Ross and state Rep. Denise Garlick, each an ex officio member of the Needham Transportation Committee, will share their views from the perspective of the General Court.

Also scheduled to attend is Paul Regan, executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board. The Advisory Board, which provides public oversight of the MBTA as well as technical assistance and information on behalf of the 175 municipal members of the Advisory Board, including the town of Needham, has put forth an alternative proposal that would, on an interim basis, mitigate the proposed fare increase and service reductions.

All interested Needham residents are welcome and encouraged to attend this important meeting.