Monday, October 1, 2012
Ridership this August is up 1.2 percent versus last August. Analysts had predicted a drop of 5.5 percent because of the higher fares.
Higher fares don't seem to be deterring residents from riding the T. That's one conclusion to draw from numbers released by the MBTA that show overall ridership has risen 1.2 percent this August versus last August. It was on July 1 that the transit agency hiked fares and scaled back some services to close a budget gap. Analysts had expected the changes, which boosted a CharlieCard subway ride from $1.70 to $2, to drive down ridership by 5.5 percent. Instead, ridership dropped only 0.1 percent in July versus July 2011. Then, in August came the 1.2 percent jump. Digging into the August numbers, ridership was up more on some services more than others. For instance, on heavy rail (i.e. the Orange, Red and Blue lines), ridership was up 2.7 …
Friday, July 13, 2012
A protest group aims to foster mass fare evasions on the MBTA on Friday in protest of the recent fare hike and service cuts.
While most commuters limit their protest of the T's recent fare hikes and service cuts to grumbling, one activist group is going the civil disobedience route. "Boston Fare Strike" plans to do a mass fare evasion at Park Street station. If it goes as scheduled, it would mimic a previous rally in which dozens of protesters poured through the turnstiles at Park Street in June. Attached is video of that action. But this time the free-ride seekers might have some more consequences to their protest. This week T police started issuing $50 tickets to people caught evading the turnstiles. The Transit Police made a point of posting news of their crackdown on their Twitter feed. The fare evaders also have their social media networks up and running. "…
42.35645
-71.06198
Park St & Tremont St, Boston, MA
Park Street station
/articles/they-say-fare-hike-we-say-fare-strike-group-plans-mass-mbta-fare-evasion-on-friday
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Friday, June 29, 2012
It will cost more to ride the T starting this weekend — and some routes will have decreased service.
On Sunday the MBTA's fare increases start. They're being imposed — along with service cuts — to close the transit agency's $160 million budget gap. Those service cuts also begin Sunday. In Jamaica Plain, cuts include the end of the 48 Bus or "JP Loop" and ending service on the E-line at Brigham Circle on weekends instead of going all the way to Heath Street. There are other changes, like an increase in the surcharge for getting your Commuter Rail ticket on the train (if the station where you board has ticket machines). THE RIDE will add a more expensive $5 zone starting Oct. 1. For a complete list of changes taking place on the MBTA system beginning Sunday, visit this T link or check out the PDFs attached to this post. Here's a look at the…
Thursday, June 7, 2012
T riders, already set to have their fares hiked 23 percent on July 1, might be asked to dig even deeper if state politicians don't come through on a promised $51 million bailout.
A delay by Beacon Hill pols in making good on a promised $51 million cash infusion for the MBTA might cause the transit agency to ask strapped riders to shell out even more in fare hikes. Commuters could also suffer further service cuts. The unfulfilled bargain was part of the deal brokered earlier this year to close the T's $159 million budget shortfall. Riders will pay a 23 percent fare increase, coupled with some service cuts, starting in just three weeks. State legislators keep dawdling on one one-time infusion of unused state auto inspection fees, according to the Herald. "I have to say that even for this Legislature, this is really shocking," T board member Ferdinand Alvaro told the tabloid. "With three weeks left and no indication …
42.351241
-71.056179
700 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA
South Station
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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Among the direct effects on JP transit users, a Wednesday decision by the T ends the 48 Bus starting on July 1.
The T's decision to hike fares 23 percent and cut services, which was made official today, means the end of the 48 Bus. Route 48, also known as the "JP Loop" often came out as one of the least-used in the whole system. It will stop running July 1. Other effects on JP include that the E-line will end at Brigham Circle on weekends. Overall, most subway fares will jump 30 cents, bus fares by 25 cents, and commuter rail fares by at least $1.25.
The MBTA faces a budget deficit heading into the next fiscal year which begins July 1.
After all of the talk, public hearings, and protests over the past three months, the MBTA Board voted Wednesday afternoon to boost fares 23 percent and cut back service in an attempt to close a projected $161 million deficit in the next fiscal year. Board members approved a plan in a 4-1 vote that would raise most subway fares by 30 cents, bus fares by 25 cents, and commuter rail fares by at least $1.25. Meanwhile, some cuts in service—mainly involving bus routes, The Ride, and the commuter rail—were also approved. Those cuts include the 48 Bus or "JP Loop." The fare hikes and service cuts take effect July 1. Many people showed up at today's hearing and were given a chance to talk during a one-hour "public speaking" session before the …
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
As expected, the 48 Bus (AKA "JP Loop) got the axe. Subway fares will rise to $2.
UPDATE, Wednesday, 12:09 p.m. —The 48 bus or "JP Loop" will be eliminated on weekdays. The Green Line into JP will end on weekends at Brigham Circle. PDFs with complete details on the changes have been added to this post. For more details, please visit the MBTA Web site. ~~~~~ MBTA fares will rise 23 percent and four bus routes would be cut as part of the MBTA's final plan to close its $161 million budget gap, according to WBZ-TV. Fourteen other bus routes would be modified. Details of the plan are scheduled to be unveiled during a press conference today. If approved, the changes would begin on July 1. Bus fares would rise to $1.50 from $1.25 and a subway ride would jump to $2 from $1.70. Monthly passes would rise from $59 to $70. For …
Thursday, March 22, 2012
The MBTA is processing the feedback from its two proposals, and support for the two proposals looks to be low.
For people who attended the various meetings about the MBTA service proposals, including the one in JP, it may come as no surprise that their service cuts and fare hikes seem to be unpopular. After proposing two scenarios that involved cuts and fare hikes for the MBTA service, the MBTA opened itself up to comments from the public--requesting e-mails, letters, and hosting public meetings about the two scenarios. Having analyzed much of the feedback, the MBTA issued a report on that feedback. So far, it doesn't look great for either scenario. Out of over 5,700 emails, 400 letters, and more than 1,800 comments from its series of public hearings, a majority of the feedback was in opposition to the cuts. With only 48 percent of the comments …
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
MBTA Acting GM and CEO of MassDOT write a letter thanking customers for their input and inviting them to stay engaged.
On Monday the MBTA's comment period ended, and they announced that they are not using either of the two proposals originally suggested. Both proposals would have hiked fares while slashing services. Impacts on JP would have included cutting the 48 Loop bus. The following is an open letter issued by Richard A. Davey, Secretary and CEO of MassDOT and Jonathan Davis, Acting General Manager of the MBTA: ----------------- An Open Letter to Our Customers, Over the last nine weeks we have engaged in a public process to allow our riders to weigh in on recommendations for closing a $159 million budget gap next year. As we conclude that process this week, we want to take a minute to thank you for the unprecedented level of engagement you …
Friday, March 9, 2012
A new webpage from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council invites you to show you how you would fill in the budget gap.
To fill a $161 million defecit in their budget, the MBTA has suggested two possible solutions, and the T Advisory Board has proposed a third. Many observers say that the solution will be a combination of those methods. Do you think you can solve it? The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) created a webpage to calculate the effects of different combinations of options on that looming $161 million budget. With their MBTA Budget Calculator, you can pick and choose the options and make your own proposal. Each available option describes what impact it would have. For example, the check box for "Increase an average of 10 percent" includes a mouse-over "Details" panel listing what those fares would be. Once complete, you can submit your …
J Gallant
8:46 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Big Typos: should say 1% OF the 5% Sales Tax. and $100 *Million* deficit. more ›