MBTA Fare Hike, Service Cut Plan Approved [VIDEO]

UPDATED, 3:42 p.m., with info from South End Patch, which attended the meeting:  The approved plan is intended to close the MBTA's $161 million budget gap and is the third scenario floated by the MBTA after holding many public hearings, . The

Opponents of the approved plan have

Also, the approved plan does not eliminate the need for possible fare hikes and service cuts next year as the agency deals with

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The Board of Directors for the MBTA has approved its final plan to raise fares and make service cuts, , according to the State House News Service and Boston Globe Twitter accounts.

The board, in a 4-1 vote, approved the plan which will raise fares by 23 percent and make cuts to bus routes, commuter rail service, and alter THE RIDE service, among other moves.

The new rates will take affect on July 1. Bus fares will jump by 25 cents, subway by 30 cents and commuter rail at least $1.25

Stay tuned for updates to this story.