Fare hikes and service cuts are a few options T officials proposed in an effort to close the $130 million budget deficit in 2014.
MBTA officials have proposed service cuts and fare increases if there is no increase in funding, based on a $130 projected budget deficit in fiscal year 2014.
Director of Strategic Initiatives for the MBTA Charles Planck said at a MBTA finance committee meeting that in order to close the budget gap, T fares would need to go up 33 percent, which means subway fares would move up from $2 to $2.60, the Boston Globe reported Wednesday.
There was also talk at the meeting of a 15 percent fare increase coupled with the possible elimination of up to 30 bus routes, according to the Globe.
Gov. Deval Patrick unveiled an ambitious transportation plan in February that would potentially raise $1.02 billion per year for the next 10 years, some of which, if lawmakers adopt the proposal, could go toward MBTA services. The MBTA budget for fiscal year 2014 is due April 15, the Globe reports.
Earnhardt
9:04 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
This is insane! when will it stop? there isn't enough money to go around anymore. Like everyone else in Massachusetts, It's time the "T" tightens it's belt and gets creative, Instead of holding the people who need it most hostage. So what's going to happen next year when they need to tap the public again? and the year after that? Time to hire someone who will close up the leaks and cut costs. Not these hacks and Friends of Deval.
G C
11:48 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
Top MBTA earner last year was a patrolman making $190k.
They have over 700 people on their payroll making over $100k.
They know where the defect is coming from, they just won't do anything about it.
Rob
1:01 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
The new GM did a wonderful job of bankrupting the last transit authority she ran. Good job Deval so obvious it's sickening.