The MBTA will be holding several public meetings to hear comments and suggestions from the community about proposed fare changes and possibly ending late-night service, according to a press release. A meeting on fare changes will take place at the Roxbury Community College on Feb. 10.
The MBTA is making efforts to close its $242 million structural deficit through the proposed fare adjustments and other measures to cut costs and improve efficiency.
There are two proposed options to increase fares starting on July 1, 2016. The first option is a system-wide average increase of 6.71 percent, which would increase revenue by $33.2 million, and the second option is a system-wide average increase of 9.77 percent, which would increase revenue by $49.4 million. Both options would create a single express bus fare and a single reduced-fare pass price for students, seniors, and persons with disabilities, and would eliminate the 10-ride paper ticket for the commuter rail.
For example, the proposed changes would make a single adult ride on the T either $2.20 with a CharlieCard and $2.75 with a CharlieTicket under the first option, or $2.25 for a CharlieCard and $2.75 with a CharlieTicket under the second option.
To calculate fares under the proposed changes, visit goo.gl/IBezHv.
Some meetings will focus on the usage and budget of the current late-night service. The Late-Night Pilot Program, which was launched in March 2014, has been extending service 90 minutes longer on all subway and key bus routes on Friday and Saturday nights. Some meetings will also discuss changes to the Commuter Rail schedule.
Written comments can be mailed to MBTA, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA, 02116, with attention to either Late-Night Service Committee or Fare Proposal Committee. Comments can also be submitted by email at [email protected] or [email protected].
Meetings about late night service will be on Jan. 19 at the State Transportation Building and Jan. 20 at Cambridge City Hall Council Chambers.
Meetings about fare changes will be on Jan. 25 at Breed Middle School in Lynn, Jan. 26 at West Middle School in Brockton, Jan. 27 at Malden High School, Jan. 28 at Concord Town Hall, Feb. 1 at Union Station in Worcester, Feb. 2 at the State Transportation Building, Feb. 4 at Bigelow Middle School in Newton, Feb. 9 at Chelsea High School Auditorium, Feb. 10 at Roxbury Community College, and Feb. 11 at Weymouth High School.
Meetings about commuter rail schedule changes will be on Jan. 25 at Breed Middle School in Lynn, Jan. 27 at Malden High School, Jan. 28 at Concord Town Hall, Feb. 1 at Union Station in Worcester, Feb. 3 at Mansfield High School, Feb. 3 at Walnut Hill High School in Natick, Feb. 8 at Coakley Middle School in Norwood, and Feb. 8 at Woburn City Hall.
For more information about the schedule of public meetings, visit www.mbta.com.