Boston

MBTA Control Board Votes to Hike Fares

Commuters will have to pay more to ride the commuter rail and subway in the Boston area.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Fiscal and Management Control Board on Monday voted to boost fares an average of about 6 percent. Subway fares would rise 15 cents to $2.40. Commuter rail prices would vary by region but the maximum increase for a one-way fare would be 75 cents.

The board opted to exempt bus fares from hikes. Student and senior fares would also be exempt from the hike.

The fare hikes would take effect July 1. The T says they would raise about $29 million annually.

The vote came after dozens of riders, activists and elected officials spoke out against the hike, saying it would hit the region's low-income residents the hardest.

Prices for MBTA rides hadn't been raised since 2016 and officials said the proposed increase was aligned with the rate of inflation in Boston.

However, some riders believe the possible new price is unjust.

"That's ridiculous, especially for people that commute for transportation," Kelsey Mullaney told NBC10 Boston shortly after the proposal came to light. "For the most part, I mean, they're never really on time. I can't afford a monthly pass, so I use weekly, but still $21 a week is a lot."

Details on the new fare hike plan were unveiled in January.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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