Your Thoughts: 50% Fare Hikes, Possible Bus Eliminations Coming to Malden
Under one proposal, Malden could lose some bus services. What do you think of the MBTA's plans to close a $161 million budget deficit?
With a projected $161 million deficit for the next fiscal year, the MBTA on Tuesday announced plans to raise fares and cut services to deal with the budget shortfall.
The transit authority presented two proposals, both of which would raise the cost of taking the T for passengers while reducing transit options.
One of the proposals, called "scenario 1" in a report issued by the MBTA, relies more heavily on fare increases to balance the budget, while the other proposal, "scenario 2," relies more on cuts to service—both proposals increase fares and cut service to some degree.
Under "scenario 1," one bus line would be affected by some cuts in service. Under "scenario 2," Malden would face service cuts to at least twelve bus lines.
Cuts to bus service in Malden
In one of the scenarios designed to close the transit authority's budget shortfall— "scenario 2" —the MBTA would cut 101 weekday bus routes, 69 Saturday routes and 50 Sunday bus routes.
As part of that proposal, the MBTA would make cuts and reductions to at least twelve bus routes that serve Malden:
Bus 97: Services Malden Center to Wellington Station. Under "scenario 2," this service would be eliminated.
Bus 99: Services Boston Regional Medical Center to Wellington Station. Under "scenario 2," this service would be eliminated.
Bus 105: Services Malden Station to Sullivan Station via Main Street. Under "scenario 2," this service would be eliminated.
Bus 106: Services Franklin Sq. or Lebanon Street Loop to Wellington Station. Under "scenario 2," this service would be eliminated.
Bus 108: Services Linden Square to Wellington Station. Under "scenario 2," this service would be eliminated.
Bus 131: Services the Melrose Highlands to Malden Station. Under "scenario 2," weekday service would be eliminated.
Bus 132: Services the Redstone Shopping Center to Malden Station. Under "scenario 2," Saturday and weekday services would be eliminated.
Bus 134: Services North Woburn to Wellington Station. Under "scenario 2," services would be less frequent (though just how infrequent is not specified in the report).
Bus 136: Services Reading Depot to Malden Station. Under "scenario 1," weekend services would be eliminated. Under "scenario 2," all services would be eliminated.
Bus 137: Services Reading Depot to Malden Station via North Ave. Under "scenario 2," all services would be eliminated.
Bus 411: Services Malden Station to Revere/Jack Satter House. Under "scenario 2," weekend services would be eliminated.
Bus 430: Services Saugus to Malden Station. Under "scenario 2," this service would only run on Sundays.
While the MBTA would not make significant cuts to local subway service, it calls for the elimination of weekend service on the Green Line's E branch and on the Red Line's Mattapan High-Speed Line.
Fare increases
One thing is certain: Passengers will have to pay more to ride the T in the upcoming year. Fare increases are part of both scenarios proposed by the MBTA.
At the moment, it costs $1.50 to ride a bus and $2 to ride the subway with a Charlie Ticket, designed for infrequent users of the T. For those with Charlie Card, designed for those who ride the T regularly, it costs $1.25 to ride the bus and $1.70 to ride the subway.
A monthly bus pass costs $40, and a Link Pass, which allows holders to ride the bus and subway, costs $59.
Fares under the MBTA's "scenario 1" would be as follows:
- Bus: $2.25 with Charlie Ticket, $1.75 with Charlie Card
- Subway: $3 with Charlie Ticket, $2.40 with Charlie Card
- Bus pass: $55
- Link Pass: $80
Fares under the MBTA's "scenario 2" would be as follows:
- Bus: $2 with Charlie Ticket, $1.50 with Charlie Card
- Subway: $3 with Charlie Ticket, $2.25 with Charlie Card
- Bus pass: $48
- Link Pass: $78
Seniors and students
In addition, fares for seniors and students also increase under both proposals. Monthly passes for students and seniors would be $40 under "scenario 1" and $39 under "scenario 2." They're currently $20.
For seniors, riding the bus currently costs $0.40. Under "scenario 1," that price would jump to $1.10, and under "scenario 2" it would cost $0.75. The cost of the subway is currently $0.60 for seniors. It would be $1.50 under "scenario 1" and $1.10 under "scenario 2."
Students currently pay $0.60 to ride the bus and $0.85 for the subway. Under "scenario 1," those numbers would be $1.10 and $1.50, respectively.
Under "scenario 2," the costs would be $0.75 and $1.10.
Public meeting
The MBTA is seeking feedback on its proposals. In Malden, a public meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Government Center's 200 Pleasant St. location.
Read the MBTA's full report on fare increases and service reductions here.
Chris Caesar
1:03 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012
No one has a comment!? I couldn't believe they would raise the subway rate from $2 to $3. What does everyone think about rising the gas tax to prevent some of these increases in cost? Legally, I believe they are able to use that revenue to offset public transportation costs.
DannyBoy
5:59 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012
Personally, I am not affected by these potential fare raises, as my commute consists of a 20-minute walk from home to work.
I don't think just raising the gas tax is going to solve the budget deficit at the MBTA. The financial problems they have are pretty deep and structural, they need to clean house from top to bottom to regain their footing, including reforming their pension system and health care benefits, and recouping lost revenue streams like fare evasion.
It would also help their public image if a new management team can establish a customer-friendly, professional and accountable culture and attitude amongst their staff.
Carol Ann Desiderio
7:47 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012
I cannot imagine what makes them think eliminating the 106, 108 and 430 would be a good idea. That would leave only the 411 heading over to the east side, it would choke off half the city.
Hundreds of kids everyday count on those three bus lines to get to MHS. Not to mention our senior population depends on them as well.
Forestdale Senior housing residents can only get into the heart of Malden by jumping on the 106 Lebanon Loop. Maplewood Place, 630 Salem Street and Salem Towers are also on those bus lines serving the Salem Street corridor. Many of those residents no longer drive and depend on this bus service to remain independent.
Chris Caesar
8:13 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012
I agree, Carol. My sense, and I should say I am speculating here, is that they are bringing these two scenarios forward in order to make the fare increases seem more palatable when contrasted with these drastic service cuts. I could be wrong, though.
Jennifer
8:31 pm on Thursday, January 5, 2012
They are talking about eliminating almost every bus route the kids need to get to school. They are crazy. I can certainly understand the need to raise fares but lets raise the level of customer service to go along with it.
Davim
6:47 pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012
They obviously use the option 2 to sell the option 1. They are offering to choose between bad and worst. This is just a marketing strategy to pass something unpopular.
Joe Gray
11:58 am on Monday, January 9, 2012
Going to raise the fares anyway. Raising taxes is lousy option in my opinion.
I say, keep all the routes open and raise fares. Let the chips(coins) fall where they may. Then we'll see how well this business model actually works.
Lou
6:28 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Not surprising to see fares increases being proposed. Disappointed to see the route #97 included on the hit list. This route serves, among others, the folks at the Robinson-Cuturica bldg, many of whom don't have cars and very much rely on this bus..
Diana
6:39 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
Before a drastic raise in fares, I'd like to see a drastic raise in parking rates for the lots. They could increase the parking rate by several hundred percent and it would still be a bargain compared to parking in town, which is presumably something many commuters take the T to avoid.
Ken Howard
7:38 am on Friday, January 27, 2012
I'm very concerned about these proposed changes, as my family does rely on some of these buses.
But, I'm also wondering how did Robert Davey manage to get promoted to State Transportation Secretary, after running the MBTA into the ground? Will he do the same to the Mass DOT? Why does no one seem concerned about this?
The MBTA falls under the Mass DOT. Even if the MBTA starts to get things under control it is possible the MBTA could still be in trouble if Robert Davey runs the Mass DOT into the ground.
As for the proposed cuts I think the MBTA should first start looking at the MBTA salaries and pensions. You can go to this URL to see how much they actually earned: http://www.bostonherald.com/projects/your_tax_dollars.bg?src=Mbta.
Look at the Gross Earnings, it’s amazing to see in one case an employee with an annual salary of $63,049.48 got paid $170,355.29. There are many cases of employees getting well beyond their annual salary. I think it is time for the MBTA to get their costs under control, before threatening major service changes.
len merullo
2:46 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
The T likely is stuck in many past practices and obligations. My suggestion would be to eliminate all bus service on Sundays increase fares and use smaller lighter buses see what the federal govt. could offer to increase research & technology and loans for more durable materials for all modes of public transport.