Rep. Rogers Among Those Asking MBTA to Skip 'Fare Hike'

State Rep. John Rogers is one of the 49 state legislators who yesterday asked the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to stop plans to charge another $3 for commuter rail tickets purchased on trains starting this Sunday, July 1.

Travelers would pay the fee even if tickets aren't sold at the station they board from, the letter noted.

"This course of action is extremely disappointing, and I hope that the T will reconsider their decision. Many station stops don't offer the opportunity to purchase tickets, making the $3 fee mandatory for many riders," said State Rep. Louis Kafka (D-Stoughton), a Sharon native.

The $3 charge would represent a fare increase, ranging from 194.1 percent from Zone 1A to 63.6 percent from Zone 9, according to today's letter to Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Richard Davey.

The letter was signed by members of the House and the Senate, including Rogers and Kafka.

"Many of the stations do not have ticket sales anywhere but on the train, and some of those that do only sell them during certain hours, so even at those locations there will be times where the '($3) discount' is not available," states the letter, which Rogers' office sent to Norwood Patch.

"Call it a surcharge, or say it's a lack of access to a discount, either way; commuters by no fault of their own will be forced to pay a penalty. We implore you to not let our constituents face such an unreasonable fare hike."

Norwood has three Commuter Rail stations - Norwood Central, Norwood Depot and Windor Gardens.