MBTA: Fare and Service Proposals, Public Outreach

MassDOT today released proposed fare increase and service reduction plans for the MBTA aimed at closing a projected $161 million budget gap for fiscal year 2013.

Earlier estimates projected the gap would total approximately $185 million for FY13.  The MBTA has taken aggressive steps to reduce that deficit: reducing energy purchase costs, planned introduction of single person train operation on the Red Line, encouraging MBTA employees to enroll in more affordable health insurance plans and other operating and administrative efficiencies.  However, growing debt service costs associated with capital projects, significant increases in maintenance costs for an aging fleet and higher costs for the RIDE mean additional solutions are necessary.

The proposed fare increases and service reductions released today are aimed at closing the FY13 deficit. 

"While the MBTA continues to identify and adopt strict measures to close the budget gap, less costly ways of doing business and additional revenue-generating measures are necessary," said MassDOT Transportation Secretary and CEO Richard Davey. "I am confident with the public’s involvement in this process we can review the study, propose recommendations, and together generate new revenue to continue the progress the MBTA has made in serving its customers.” 

In order to fully engage transit users in the process, the MBTA will host more than 20 public hearings over the next several months. A final fare increase and service reduction recommendation will be made to the MBTA’s Board of Directors this Spring and changes will be implemented on July 1, 2012.

In addition to rising operating costs, annual revenues continue to be insufficient to fund the system.  Sales tax revenue allocated to the MBTA has increased by only 0.08% annually since fiscal year 2001, resulting in growing budget gaps since the original projections were made with the expectation of forward funding. While the MBTA was a beneficiary of the 2009 sales tax increase, the annual growth in sales tax revenues is not enough to address continuing increases in the cost of service on all modes.

“With MBTA ridership at record levels, the demand for the services we deliver is unquestionable,”   said Acting MBTA General Manager Jonathan Davis.  “I look forward to an open and transparent public process that will lead to recommendations on how we can continue to satisfy demand while addressing the T’s financial crisis.” 

As only one of two transit properties in North America that has not raised fares over the last five years, the MBTA has worked hard to identify ways to save money and reduce costs, while improving customer service.  From investments in accessibility improvements to use of modern technology to improved transparency, the MBTA is committed to responding to the needs of its customers. 

The Fare Increase and Service Reductions Study is available at www.mbta.com.  

The MBTA’s public outreach process begins immediately with the acceptance of public comment through March 1, 2012 electronically at mbta.com, by email at fareproposal@mbta.com, via mail to MBTA, Ten Park Plaza, Boston, Ma  02116, Attention: Fare Proposal Committee, and by phone at 617-222-3200/ TTY (617) 222-5146.  20 Public meetings including one hearing will be held beginning January 17 through March 6.  A complete list of meetings times and locations is now available at www.mbta.com/jointhediscussion.

Comments

[Matthew]

I'm not sure about the N.O. pass either. As a rnequeft user of public transportation, it is a bit crazy to me that people haven't figured out the free Charlie Card thing yet. Out-of-towners excused, of course. I don't see too many people paying with cash though.As much as I hate to bring it up, I think the issue of service is somewhat unavoidable. Especially in this case, when we're talking about buses being the only option. The Boston area bus service is far from dependable. A couple weeks ago, I was waiting for the 66 at 12:30PM on a Saturday to Harvard from Allston. I waited. And waited. It was close to 2 before it finally came. What could possibly make the bus so late at that time of night, and why couldn't they send another bus? And let me tell you, it wasn't warm that night… I don't know. Maybe the buses would be OK, but I have a feeling it still wouldn't be something you could really rely on.

[Manila]

Good point m ramos. Though they're not quite encouraging DUIs (it is iellgal after all), they are making it more difficult for people to admit they've had too much and shouldn't drive, since they don't have a low cost alternative to driving themselves. During the summer you can easily see tons of people walking around the city (especially down near Faneuil Hall) trying to hail a cab at 3AM without success because there's tons of other people doing the same. It's actually a bit dangerous riding your bike around there late at night, there's been a few drunken fools who tried to steal my bicycle since they had no way of getting home!I do think that trains are preferred to buses, Aaron. Buses are slower than trains, and can only hold so many people (making for cramped quarters). Trains are faster and usually more reliable (since there's little chance of a traffic jam though they do happen). I think public transportation itself is losing a bit of its stigma and might make the number of people who would use late night T service higher than the night owl.

[Claudeci]

The issues that have been tnimnoeed about maintenance make train service incredibly difficult, if not impossible. But the idea of providing service late night obviously has a lot of merit. The thing to keep in mind is that the trains are largely set up to get people in and out of the core of the city (aka the Financial District), so they can get to and from their day jobs. But at 2:00AM, you're trying to do something completely different. Just because the train routes are familiar and useful during the day, doesn't mean we should be replicating them at night. What the T should do is figure out where people are gathered at 2:00AM (e.g.: Harvard Ave, Boylston St, Fanuel Hall, etc.) and map several bus routes that will get the *majority* of them where they need to be For example, if you had a bus from each of the locations above that went down Commonwealth Ave, one that went down Mass. Ave. to Cambridge, and a third that hit Southie via Broadway, how many people have you put close enough to their house that it's not worth a cab or a DUI?You're never going to be able to serve everyone, but if you can take half of the people who would be taking cabs and a quarter of the people who would be driving, and put them on a buses, you're doing damn good.

[Malokong]

You've got a good point Marc. Providing routes that cover 50% of the ulpbic's needs would also be a good way to test the system and see if we could extend it out to try to cover more ground later. Though, I'd another route goes up Mass Ave to Edward Everett Square, then down Dot Ave to serve Dorchester too (largest neighborhood in Boston plus likely that a lot of patrons of the late night service would reside in Dot). Still, your greater point that having the option of taking the T to at least get closer to your end destination would likely deter some DUIs is likely true. IFC, if we go the bus route I see no reason we can't have buses run all night. The maintenance issue becomes null for buses since they don't run on tracks that need daily repairs. Obviously, cost and usage would likely be huge issues at those hours.Hmmm, I like the idea of NO passes Kmacjp. Though, I think buses would and should still accept cash. What about clueless tourists stuck somewhere at 3AM with loads of cash but no idea what an NO pass is? Guess they could take a cab but maybe we could charge $6 for people without an NO pass. Still, the fare skippers become an issue. Assuming that a lot of people using the NO service would be college students, perhaps we could force some of the colleges to subsidize part of the NO cost?

[Andy]

It is absolutely grotesque that the MBA has the gall to even suggest a fare increase. Why don’t they focus on teaching their overpaid, disgruntled workers some CUSTOMER SERVICE – which is none existent! They shove us in buses and the trains like we are caged animals which poses unsafe situations for everyone! Senior Management needs to be scrapped and they need to start over!!!

[Ken]

You know what most countries do to make transit fares fair? They implement distance based fares: the shorter the ride, the cheaper you pay; the longer the ride, the more you pay.

This flat rate non-sense is the main reason why this whole mess gets shafted for everyone; everyone gets dinged whether you ride it for three stations or from end to end.

I say it's time to end this flat rate nonsense and move to distance based faring. Keep it $1.70 for shorter rides; that way people who ride it for shorter distances will keep using the T instead of seeking alternatives, but make longer rides be capped at $2.40. This, would be fair for everyone.

[Simon]

If these changes are implemented I will have to quit my job and find another one. Literally. This will ruin my livelihood.

[Valeryia]

This is so unfair to all people to work hard to support their families!
According to both proposals, bus route 351 will have to be eliminated. This is the only way to get to Bedford out of Boston! Has anyone thought about how packed the roads are going to be if all the MBTA riders (affected by these proposals) buy the cars and start driving? The traffic will will be horrible!
Bus route 350 (goes from Alewife station to Burlington) is to be eliminated according to one proposal only. I wonder if those MBTA officials have ever taken this bus to see how "insufficient" the the ridership of this bus is??? It is always packed! The seats might be available on first and last buses only!
How many people will have to lose their jobs if these buses are eliminated (e.g. # 350 and #351)?? It is not the time when it is easy to find a new job to support our families!

There should be another way around. Why can't the service be partially reduced? I am confident that people would not mind fare increase as long as the buses are still running. If they want to eliminate 351, why can't 350 be extended until Bedford so people can still get to work?
I understand the necessity of partially reducing the service, although I am strongly opposed to having these routes (as well as the other ones) eliminated completely.

[Dina Taruz]

Why are commuter rail stations open platforms & not monitered by turnstiles like the "T"? If the platforms could not be accessed unless the fare had been paid, I would think there would be a drastic increase in funds.

[Bill]

I know that several people where I work will now NOT take the commuter rail to work because it will cost more than buying a new car. I think they are really going in the opposite direction with this. Lower the prices to make it more affordable then you'll have more commuters taking public transportation. This will generate more revenue. Currently it takes about 1hr to get to work via car, but takes 2hrs via commuter rail... No thanks I'll continue to drive.

[Brian]

Me thinks that only the complainers are being heard, therefore I am going on record to say that I appreciate the services of the MBTA, which keeps me out of my car (mostly) for a reasonable monthly fee. I am willing to pay the fare increase and at the same time hope and expect some structural improvements by the MBTA to improve their efficiencies/costs.

[Toli]

When a normal company living on the money it earns is in such debt and disarray, it is restructured. Isn’t it time to bring an outside management to sort out the riotous expenses and incompetence? About the latter: am I the only one who observed again and again 2 or even 3 (three!) buses (e.g. #57, #1) arriving one after another bumper to bumper?! At rush hours, turning up after more than half an hour interval, the buses get filled with struggling riders. However, quite often all the buses in the pack leave almost empty! Isn’t it at least one of the obvious solutions to MBTA misfortunes: replace your failing dispatchers, and you’ll see a lot of waste cut?

[Mordecai]

This makes me so angry I can hardly SEE. I mean, this will put me literally out of work. I live on razor thin margins and was lucky to find a job in Boston when work on the North Shore was thin. This will make it cost more than is financially viable for me to work in the city, EVEN IF I DIDN'T WORK WEEKENDS. I think that alone is the single most mind-bogglingly stupid facet of these plans. No freaking weekend service??? What, do they think that Boston just STOPS on the weekend? That restaurants and bars and clubs and theaters just close up before 10 on weekdays? This will, quite literally, cripple the city.

[Andrew]

How much of the MBTA budget and the rising costs are the result of salaries/pensions/benefits? If these are the reason the MBTA can't profitably transport me to and from Boston for $160/month (pre-increase)then maybe it really is time to treat it more like a real business. I don't know many real businesses giving out pensions to their employees. Maybe it's time for a 401k like everyone else.

[William Roney]

you've heard from riders. Wait until you hear from sports venues, restaurants, museums, theater, etc. Mayor Menino should be at every meeting. Imagine how many $ merchants will lose if service is cut at 10PM weekdays and no service on weekends. I would not come into Boston on weekend. My local community may benefit though.

[Ken]

These cuts will reduce public support for Mass Transport. Why would I want my tax dollars to go toward a system that I cannot use. How will all the extra cars fit on the roads and where will they park?

[Phil Benware]

Once again, today the MBTA/Commuter Rail illustrates why they earn no respect from the ridership; Delays on a train caused by mechanical failure blamed in "inclement weather". Really? Inclement Weather? It was cold out. Not snowing, not raining. The sun was shiny, and the roads and tracks were dry. How is this inclement weather, and why is the Commuter Rail not prepared for this. Are we looking at a repeat of last year? Just what they need- Another reason for riders to give up on the Commuter rail and drive. My own cost analysis suggests that if I drive into Boston everyday from my home town with my wife who works nearby, we will save about $3000 annually compared to paying the increased fare. And that includes fuel, parking and vehicle maintenance. Why give it to the T? My guess is they will decide in FY2014 that they are still not flat funded, and will have to increase fares (and/or cut services) again!

[Kat]

This is ridiculous. If they want to make the commuter rail more cost effective, they should install charlie card readers on the commuter rail trains! Many times and on many lines a conductor has accidentally skipped over me, and usually if there are enough people on the train, the conductors won't collect fares at all.

[Marty]

Reducing commuter rail services will simply result in my driving into town; adding to the already packed highways!

[James Jones]

How about cutting personal! I see 2-3 MBTA employees standing on the platforms at Bunker Hill and North Station everyday doing nothing. The so called customer service employees sitting and reading his or her paper every morning. Check Oak Grove.

[Drew]

So I assume that this means that the South Coast rail - $1 billion dollar project will no longer happen. Ummm... right?

I see a press release saying you just spent $20 million to fix a bridge on a the 'proposed' South Coast Rail - which doesn't even exist yet.

Please explain how you can create a new commuter rail line and at the same time cut off service in other areas, that makes zero sense.

[@FixTheMBTA]

The MBTA presents a very detailed analysis of the fare hikes and service cuts to meet budget, but there is not one word about cutting costs or improving efficiency. Why is that?

Staff cutbacks, cuts in pensions, budgets reductions, and selling underutilized real estate is painful, but it is necessary in a broken operation that can't make ends meet.
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Thanks. As a point of information, each of the items mentioned above have occurred to a significant degree- staff reductions, pension and health care cost reductions, overall budget reductions, and review/sale of real estate.

[Katie]

"Every E line train I'm ever on is packed. However, many people still sneak on without paying. Maybe the MBTA should invest in better fair collection on that line instead of cutting any service from it. It's so popular it's hard for me to accept it's place on a over eager cutting block."

Totally agree... and not just on the E line, but on every Green Line and the Orange Line has been my experience. Even on some buses people get on without paying. And they don't even need to 'sneak' per say. It's the laziness of the operators and staff. This has been a problem for years. Isn't "fare evasion a violation of Massachusetts state law"? Why does so few MBTA workers enforce this policy? Fine those people or make them pay their fare like everyone else.. theres a 'duh' first step at trying to increase your revenue. It isn't much but it's something.

[Nancy Miller]

I am concerned about cuts to The RIDE service! This provides a real lifeline for so many disabled and elderly who would otherwise be housebound or dependent on relatives (who may not have time) to take them places. To reduce or eliminate it would take us backwards-- to the way it was 40 or 50 years ago, when the only thing disabled folks were given to do was to sell pencils or shoelaces in the street. (I clearly remember those bad times!)Are we moving forward or are we sinking?

[Bob]

I am fine with a modest fare increase. Heck, we should plan for one every couple of years to keep up with inflation and the costs of running such a massive energy-consuming infrastructure.

The service cuts, as most folks will say, need to be looked at on a case-by-case basis. Just remember that if you cut service too much, you might cut ridership. For example, I already feel some pressure to work a "9-5" workday in order to catch the bus home. If I miss it, I at least know that the next bus will be there to take me home. That last bus of the day isn't ever going to be a moneymaker, but it facilitates the other busses being full.

What percentage of the T's balance sheet is dedicated to servicing its debt?

[drs]

Services will be cut until ridership improves.

(Just like austerity measures: layoffs will continue until employment improves.)

[Jessie McWalter]

It is time for OCCUPY MBTA! See you atPark Street and Government Center with my tent and coffee.

First the banks, then Verizon, now the MBTA ... they simply do not get it!

[Matt]

This is absolutely absurd. We're lucky if the trains are even on time and the heat works, and now you are going to raise commuter rail fares by 35 percent or 43 percent AND cut service that much? So if I'm stuck at work and miss a 10 p.m. train, and I live out by 495, I'm out of luck. How about you get rid of those worthless crossing guards who stand at street-level commuter rail crossings with a flag but don't do anything because there already are crossing gates and flashing signals. Sorry, we probably can't cut their positions because they are protected by the union.

[Arjona]

Which service will end at 10 pm? The commuter rail or everything? At any rate this is not a good idea (but if it is everything it is a downright insane idea). If you are going to raise fares you can't cut back so much service. What are we paying for? I also agree that raising fares is overdue and do not disagree with this. It is what it is.
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Commuter rail, under the two proposals.

[Ian]

I assume the MBTA will be providing statistics to justify the proposed 10pm closure? I believe that part of the benefit of CharlieCards is that the MBTA has pretty detailed usage statistics.

[Mike]

Why in the world would you cut service? Riders here are spoiled with how low the fares are compared to other cities. Look at DC for example!

I don't care how much you raise my fares, 200%, whatever...but if you cut my service line and I have no options then I have a far greater problem.

[Phil]

Hogwash. Break the Carmen's union and I'll believe you're doing something about "costs". Crooks and criminals at the till again.

[Jim]

Perhaps the T should start actually collecting fares. I ride the Needham line and on the return trip (5:20 from South Station) there is one conductor who does not collect fares. How difficult is this job? Why are there only two doors open on most rides? The backup at Hersey station is absurd. Fix what is there and THEN consider modifications.

[Carl K]

These cuts are absolutely disgraceful. Upon reading the report, one of the estimates said many people would switch from Commuter Rail to the Subways. HA! Are you people insane? The trains are already at capacity, there will be no room for these people. Even if there was, why take the train 10 more miles instead of driving! The MBTA is a failure, and this is just going to make things work. Responsible government? Please.

[mike falkoff]

In the last ten years I have seen no sign at all that the MBTA has worked on or even cares about improving the customer experience. The same brain-dead security announcement has been playing - often incompehensibly loudly - for nine years; a recent snide poster campaign, clearly produced by a very expensive ad agency, plastered around the vehicles, passive-aggressively makes fun of several common forms of rider rudeness, and another mixed message costly big-poster campaign appears to encourage mentally handicapped people to be on the alert for terrorist events. Management displays none of the civility, appropriate signage or other basic attributes that one finds in similarly-sized systems (like London's)but rather exudes a strange angry pathology that can make riding the T an ordeal.

[Ann Kane]

Anyone want to start car pooling from Franklin/Bellingham to Boston ? These meetings will do no good. They have already made up their minds. Good forbid they look at the labor costs. God forbid their employees should pay for part of their medical costs like the rest of us little people. The unions are killing us!!!!

Parking lots....I bet half of the money collected ends up in the collectors pockets.....no one is watching them !!!!

[Tim R]

Eliminating the ferry services? Well, we will see about that at the public hearings. The T does not lose money at $198 per month on the ferry services. The ferry service is packed everyday; even on dirty, broken down boats. You could close the gap if you would, among other initiatives; prosecute the fare evaders. I watch dozens of people everyday jump the fare gate at the Back Bay Station. No Transit Police in sight at the gates below, only to find several officers on the upper level doing absolutely nothing.

[Phil Benware]

I agree with he other posters here: More information is needed as to the cuts. I'm a Zone 6 Commuter Rail rider. The weekend cuts will not impact me, but I see nothing about improving the abysmal service on the commuter rail, only cuts to the service, and poorly planned and implemented alternates to equipment failures that do not take into account other factors such as bad weather (which hey, lets face- We live in New England. Bad weather should be a non factor by now)

MassDOT really needs to work with the state to get better funding. There really should be a method of collecting toll funds from drivers using the Southeast Expressway or I-93 to get into Boston. They're getting a free ride on the backs of everyone other person who uses public transportation.

Frankly, today, comparing the cost of taking the commuter rail (including parking at the station) versus driving in (and paying for parking, fuel and vehicle maintenance), the commuter rail only barely comes out ahead. If the cost goes up by 35% (about 90$ for me), and the parking fees go up as well, there is no longer any financial incentive for me to use the commuter rail, even if I factor in a reasonable toll fee for using I-93. The convenience factor goes right out the window when the service fails, and as a former truck driver in the city, driving in to work is not the challenge others might view it as.

The point is, the T is looking to alienate a good percentage of their record ridership with the fare increases and service cuts they're talking about. There needs to be a much better balance of income streams across all potential sources, including currently unrealized, and the state needs to be more involved with these discussions.

[Joan]

This is disgusting!!!! You try and get people to give up cars and then take away their public transportation. Come on...................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vincent Capone]

STOP giving out Charlie Cards. Not everyone needs one. If you haven't got one by now, chances are you aren't a frequent rider who should benefit from the $.30 reduction. Tourists DO NOT NEED THEM. Let people pay the full amount for riding the MBTA.

[Mangini]

This is rediculous. If we are going to Pay more money the service should get better not worse. Elimateing service will make your service worse. This is a stupid idea and I am more likely to drive in than take the train if this moves forward.

[Adam Lipkin]

Why in the world would you post this without details of the services affected? Obviously, everyone will prefer a 35% increase over a 43% one, but if their routes are cut, that's a factor. Can you please provide this information?

Beyond this, the real need is the for state to adequately fund the T and recognize how vital it is for industry and the environment. This is a common good that benefits everyone, and needs to be treated like a real state agency (and the T board of directors need to fight for resources like it's a real agency).
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As stated above: The Fare Increase and Service Reductions Study will be available on Wednesday, January 4 at www.mbta.com.

[Ruth Smith]

closing the T again at 10 PM?!!!! You've gotta be kidding

[Mike H]

I sincerely hope that spending reductions will include a detailed look at benefits and salaries for employees. It's understandable to cut services, and even raise prices, but if you don't look at look at labor costs, you are doing a disservice to your customers.

We should NOT have to pay more if MassDOT doesn't share more benefit cost with employees and reduce the % of raises as most companies these days are doing. MassDOT should not be offering any more than the majority of companies.

[Monty from Brookline]

Every E line train I'm ever on is packed. However, many people still sneak on without paying. Maybe the MBTA should invest in better fair collection on that line instead of cutting any service from it. It's so popular it's hard for me to accept it's place on a over eager cutting block.

[Veronica]

It's bad enough that I continue to pay $250 for my zone 8 pass on a line that shows no sign of re-instating weekend service, as was promised over a year ago. Now you want to increase my fare to $337 to $357 AND reduce service even further? This article claims that "...the MBTA has worked hard to identify ways to save money and reduce costs, while improving customer service." To make your customers pay more for a reduced service is exactly the opposite of that. As if I didn't have enough motivation to find a job closer to home.

[Jon Berg]

The worst public transit system in America. Two examples, how much revenue is collected from parking at Oak Grove Station all cash, no accountability, where does money go? Station and roads in complete disrepair. Second what rocket scientist was behind spending untold funds at Oak Grove on a shelter for bike riders when the station has to be propped up by scaffolding and timbers. Find the person responsible for this decision a terminate immediately

[Tom]

To quote
"planned introduction of single person train operation on the Red Line"

Not ONE single person is losing a job. NOT ONE.
Fact is there will be RAISES!!!

More "inspectors" with little and even very little experience.
Most inspectors being promoted are under 3 years on the job.

Some these days have very little experience on trains.
The Red Line inspector who could not "read Rail" ring a bell???

Then we have all the additional people who will be stationed on the platforms who cannot be authorized to be on the tracks or Right of Way.
And all those persons will not be able to even touch a train issue.

ONE person will have to go through six cars to deal with issues so at rush hour it will be horrendous.
Then deal with the added expense of things being stuck in the doors closing when the single person cannot see a small object 300 feet away and being dragged.

300 feet of doors with multiple entrances and simultaneously trying to close all those doors at once.
And all those monitors at five grand apiece are always shutting down and on for some reason a delay transmission.

ALL they are doing is a shell game to make it appear that they are saving money when in reality it is costing more!!!

They are just shuffling bodies and SOMEONE WILL DIE!!

[Kara]

Ridership continues to increase. It makes no sense to reduce services, especially in light of record greenhouse gas emissions and impending vehicle fuel issues. The fare increases are greatly overdue.

I don't understand the mentality of a nation that is perfectly fine with subsidizing a finite, destructive resource like oil, and promoting its dependent infrastructure while mass transit is treated like an unwelcome dinner guest.

There should be a .01 tax/gallon on gasoline for the benefit of mass transit. We subsidize oil; it's time to invest in the future.