Sound Off About the MBTA's Rate Hikes Tonight

The MBTA will be conducting a public hearing tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hingham Town Hall to allow the community to address their concerns over the proposed ferry cuts and fare hikes.

The MBTA is hosting similar hearings across Eastern Massachsusetts, but this is the closest meeting for Plymouth residents who use the MBTA and the Commuter Rail.

Last Friday, MBTA General Manager Jon Davis visited the Hingham Shipyard to speak with ferry commuters.

“We have some tough decisions to make in the next couple months,” Davis said. “In order to balance our budget, nothing has been decided at this point and we appreciate hearing from all of our customers.”

Davis said a decision 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.

In January, the Massachusetts DOT released two scenarios for fare increases and service cuts on the MBTA to close a budget gap. 

Under one scenario, fares overall would increase by 43 percent, while under the second scenario, they would increase by 35 percent. The cost of bus CharlieCards would rise from $1.25 to $1.75, while rapid transit CharlieCards would rise from $1.70 to $2.40. Parking would also increase 28 percent.

The second scenario calls for the elimination of a larger number of bus routes generating savings that would enable the smaller fare increase, bus Charlie Cards would rise from $1.25 to $1.50, while rapid transit CharlieCards would rise from $1.70 to $2.25. Parking fees would increase 20 percent.

Under both scenarios, MBTA ferries would be eliminated, and Commuter Rail service would be reduced.

Public comments are welcome in written form. Comments can be emailed to fareproposal@mbta.com or mailed to Fare Proposal 10 Park Plaza, Suite 3910 Boston, MA 02116.