MBTA Schedules Public Hearings to Discuss Proposed Fare Increases

Park Street Photo By Alex Lau

This may come as a shock to some riders (although it shouldn’t, really) but the MBTA is looking to kick up the cost to ride the buses and trains starting this summer, and although there isn’t much people can do to stop it from happening, the transit agency is holding a series of public hearings across the state—mostly because they have to—to better inform the public about the impending fare increases.

Luckily, for most, the fare increase that is expected to drop on July 1, isn’t going to break the bank nearly as bad as the hike of 2012, which saw a 20-percent spike nearly across the board for bus and train services. This time around it won’t be so dramatic, as the T is playing with the idea of raising costs by just around 5-percent, which in most cases will only create a 10-cent bump in most daily fare costs.

These hearings, which will take place from Boston to Braintree and all the way to Attleboro, will give riders a chance to air their grievances, and talk about how angry they that prices are going up “while service is still so bad.”

The public workshops will act as a catching net to gather up all of the hate-fueled commentary so transit officials can stuff it in their proverbial comment box, and consider what impacts, if any, a fare increase has on different communities as they move forward and consider other possible increases down the line. “Comments at all meetings will be considered by the MBTA and the MassDOT board of directors,” officials said on Monday, when they released the list of spots where the hearings will take place.

If heading to a hearing isn’t your thing, the T is keeping up with the digital age, and is offering passengers the opportunity to make their voices heard by submitting emails to a designated address: fareproposal@mbta.com.

If technology and public appearances aren’t your bag, there’s even a chance to submit a complaint or suggestion via snail mail.

That being said, here’s the list of places where the proposed fare increase hearings and workshops will be held, from now through April 30:

Wednesday, April 16
6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Braintree Town Hall
1 JFK Memorial Dr.
Braintree

Wednesday, April 16
6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Shriners Auditorium
51 Blossom St.
Boston

Tuesday, April 22
6 p.m.–8 p.m.
State Transportation Building
Conf. Rooms 1, 2, 3
10 Park Plaza
Boston

Wednesday, April 23
6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Lynn City Council Chambers
3 City Hall Sq., Room 408
Lynn

Thursday, April 24
6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Roxbury Community College
Student Center Cafeteria
1350 Tremont St.
Roxbury

Monday, April 28
6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Middlesex Community College
Lowell Campus
Federal Building – Assembly Room
50 Kearney Sq.
Lowell

Tuesday, April 29
6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Newton City Hall
City Council Chambers
1000 Commonwealth Ave.
Newton

Tuesday, April 29
7 p.m.–9 p.m.
Framingham Town Hall
Memorial Building – Blumer Room
150 Concord St.
Framingham

Wednesday, April 30
6 p.m.–8 p.m.
Medford City Hall
Alden Memorial Chambers
85 George P. Hassett Dr.
Medford

Wednesday, April 30
7 p.m.–9 p.m.
Attleboro High School Auditorium
100 Rathbun Willard Dr.
Attleboro