MBTA Hearings: Boston Neighborhoods

The MBTA next week continues a series of more than 20 public hearings regarding proposed fare and service changes with four hearings in Boston neighborhoods.  The public is encouraged to participate.

Tuesday, January 31, Mattapan: 6:00-8:00 PM, Mildred Avenue Community Center, 5 Mildred Avenue

Wednesday, February 1, Jamaica Plain: 6:00-8:00 PM, Hennigan Community Center, 200 Heath Street 

Thursday, February 2, Dorchester: 1:00-3:00 PM and  6:00-8:00 PM , Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, 1353 Dorchester Avenue

For a full list of future public meetings and information, please visit MBTA.com/join the discussion.

Have your voice heard by sending an email with your questions, comments, and ideas to fareproposal@mbta.com.

The MBTA’s public outreach process continues 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. 

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.

Comments

[William Roney]

Yes they need to collect fares but the legislature needs to arrange to have appropiate funding for the mbta. Public Transportation is a BASIC service. Even people who drive will have a hard time as there will be more cars on the road and more traffic jams. Under Option 2 the bus 450 would be eliminated. People who don't have cars shop at Market basket and Shaws. Without this bus they would have to hire taxis. The Governor and our state reps need to do something to provide adequate funding for transportation. The solution is in the hands of the legislature.

[Carol and David Douglas]

We take the train from Beverly to Boston to visit our eye specialist at OCB - this is necessary for us as we are unable to drive there. We feel that your budget needs would be solved completely by the conductors actually collecting the fares from passengers. Every time we go from Beverly to Boston (usually at a quiet time), we notice that at least half the commuters in each car do not pay. The conductor does not realize the passenger got on since he last walked through and he walks right by them. Last week, the woman next to me held out her ticket and he did not punch hers, but he did punch mine because I was sitting on the outside. Other times, people get on in Beverly and get off in Salem without ever seeing the conductor. One time when the car was full, no one in our card paid at all - the whole way from Beverly to Boston.